Randall

Hi,

I have an '82 with a 1500 cc and standard transmission, I had the engine rebuilt 65k ago but need to replace the clutch and CV joints.
So I tried removig the transmission in the car per the book but it wasn't coming off, so I just said the heck with it and pulled the motor- no big deal really.
So I got the motor out and figured I will clean it up and maybe drop the pan and replace some gaskets/seals, and maybe check/replace the rod bearings and give it a paint job.

I decided to check the transmission since it has 189K on it, now that's it's apart I found the source of the bits of bearing race retainer that was sitting on the bottom inside.
Seems the main shaft ball bearing came apart and almost half the balls fell out, yet amazingly enough I never had ANY signs of a transmission issue other than the clutch slipping.

Here is a scan of the bearing, neat eh? anyone seen this sort of thing happen before and maybe put forth an opinion as to the cause? It doesn't appear to be overheated since it's not discolored in any way. I always kept the oil level up but maybe before I bought the car @ 129k it was already coming apart and I got 65k out of this bearing to get it to this point!

Any ideas what parts are available to rebuild the transmission, or would I be better to ask what parts are no longer available anywhere so I'll know what I'm looking at here?

The main shaft end splines looks a bit on the worn side to me, I have found that is available as are the synchronizer rings, but I want to replace all the needle bearings and bearings.

jaje

have you looked at a helm manual?...these are the ones the dealer uses www.helminc.com

also for parts available...i usually go to the dealer parts counter with my helms and ask for the part or try aamco as they have books that have part numbers etc.