A few more pointers based on my fumbling through the installation, but first a few general observations:
General Observations Regarding the Single Piece Bearing Retainer
- The single piece bearing retainer is a nice design, but it definitely makes assembly or future disassembly more challenging.
- Due to the installation sequence, I'm not sure how you would be able to remove some of the bearings (that sit directly next to / behind the bearing retainer) without destroying them. They are a tight fit against the retainer - but can be individually pressed off with the stock 2 piece bearing retainer (allows you to separate the input and output shafts to put them on a press).
- The single piece bearing retainer makes installation and torque to spec of the pinion shaft retainer nut a bit challenging. You need to prop the entire gear assembly (both main and pinion shafts & gears) up as you torque the main shaft nut to spec. Like the below photo, only with the pinion shaft installed:
- The single piece bearing retainer also makes installation of the gear assembly into the transmission case a bit more challenging. Instead of installing one shaft at a time - you need to install both (since they are attached via the bearing retainer plate).
In hindsight, knowing what kind of an additional challenge the retainer added to assembly, I probably wouldn't have opted to install it. Meanwhile, my bearings races were not loose; had they been loose, I probably would have decided to use it for additional reinforcement.
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Installation Tips
Following up from the above info - I installed the main / input shaft first. Ensure that you have the main shaft assembled correctly as removal of components after it's installed on the retainer can be difficult...
The main shaft installs easily enough. I recommend holding off on installing the main shaft bearing (on the back of the bearing retainer) until you have installed the pinion and can confirm everything is assembled correctly.
Installation of the pinion shaft and gears is a bit of a jigsaw puzzle.
You need to insert the pinion shaft part way through the bearing retainer as you hold 4th gear in place. If you insert the shaft fully, 4th gear cannot be installed since it can't clear the 3-4 shift sleeve on the main shaft:
Once you get to this point, the remaining pinion shaft gears can be slid into place and the pinion shaft nut can be torqued to spec.
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I welcome any additional tips or recommendations as I'm sure there's more than one way to go about it.
Hope this helps others...
Gordo