My reverse gear would not stay put while torquing the nuts back on without the reverse shaft. Using the shaft allows you to use both hands to apply the 150 ft lbs of torque needed. If you could hold the reverse gear place with one hand while torquing the larger nut to 150 pounds then I am impressed.
Yes, I could have gotten my engine stand down from my attic to do this. If it had turned out that I needed to rebuild the transmission after inspecting it, then I would have done that.
John