The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Needle bearings in the transmission...ooooops!

So...I decided to take apart my transmission to my 1954 Chevy Truck (235 engine) to diagnose an issue with the 2/3 shifter lever not moving. Long story short is I pulled out the spline from the rear and the needle bearings all fell out.

What is the best way to get the bearings all back in correctly? Mind you this is my first experience working on a vehicle. Any help is appreciated.

Carlos

I coat the bearings in grease so they stay on the shaft to get them back in.

Pete

That's it Pete, heavy fiber wheel bearing grease.
DG

Thanks guys. Is there a drawing somewhere that can show me where to replace them...they literally all fell out. I have two sets, skinny ones and fatter ones. Also, is there I have wheel bearing grease, is that the same thing?

I appreciate the help.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/1929_54chevyparts/04/222.HTM
DG

Carlos,

Here's a pic from the 48-51 manual,
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1948_51truck/51ctsm0707a.htm

Also, since this is your "first experience working on a vehicle",
I would suggest you read the truck shop manual.

Transmission assembly starts here,
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1948_51truck/51ctsm0709.htm

DG,

I am not seeing where the bearings are located?

Carlos

#7 main shaft needle bearings
#23 countershaft needle bearings

How many needle bearings of each do you have?

DG,

I am not seeing where the bearings are located?

Carlos

Sorry for the repeat posts...my computer was possessed. I have around 24 smaller bearings and maybe 16 fatter bearings. they are at home on my work bench. I have been looking at a chop manual, in fact I enlarged an image of the layout of the transmission and will work on this over the weekend.

Thanks for all the help...I'll let you know how it goes and how many expletives are launched

Cheers,

Carlos

Any wheel bearing grease will work, as long as it holds the bearings in place long enough to get it back together. Grease that is "heavy fiber wheel bearing grease" is thicker and stickyer, than most.

Larry

This sounds like you are describing the 2 rows of needles found in the main drive gear which is the gear that extends into the clutch disc.
This is normally the first gear removed from your trans but the needles still fall out.
It is the last gear installed and from the front with the ball bearing still mounted unless it were a close ratio gear set but that wouldn't be in an early truck.So!
1) Reinstall the tailshaft without the needles after removing the main drive gear.
2) using grease stack the large needles in the main drive first-then there should be a thick washer between the large needles and the small needles which are stacked in next.
3) If the needles still are wanting to fall out when the main drive is slipped in place, find a way to rest the trans with the tailshaft pointing straight up then gravity will not be working against you so hard.
4)sometimes one of the needles,usually a small one, is dislodged when the main drive is slipped in and will prevent the gear from going all the way home.If the main drive doesn't go in far enough for the bearing retaining ring to go easily up against the case-take it back down and start over-DO NOT try to pull the main drive home with the bolts in the collar.
5) note the drain hole in the front of the case and the matching channel in the release bearing/main drive gear collar-they must be lined up as this trans has no front seal.
If the 2-3 shifter fork is locked up it probably is the fault of the syncronizer which selects 2 and 3.

Larry - Thanks for the tip, I got a hold of some grease that you suggested.

Bob - I appreciate you walking me through the steps. I will work on it this weekend.

I really appreciate all the advice.

Carlos