Transmission Trouble

[GMAN]

Hey people, I'm a new opel owner,purchased a 73gt a month ago vinyl top and all. Had to pull the tranny to fix the clutch problems, and discovered that the front main shaft on the gearbox has a lot of slop in and out end-play.The front bearing moves with the shaft and can slide out and in a little.Any insight and advise on this Thanks GMAN

[gtjames]

Judging by the few gearboxes I have some play is okay. Was it making a whining or growling noise? That would be my concern.

[Mike Preble]

gtjames is right. The questions that would indicate problems are: When you are driving the car does it whine (indicating bearing problems)? Does it shift into gears smoothly (indicating syncro problems)? Does it stay in fourth gear without poping out (indicating tranny has come loose from bell housing)? These aren't absolute answers to the symptoms but can get you started. These trannys are easy to work on but new parts are hard to get. Some of us cannibalize one, or two, trannys to make one good one.

If these are the symptoms then maybe your tranny need to be repaired. If not, and your car way driving fine before, then put the tranny back in and happy Opeling.

Mike

[GTJIM]

On the input shaft (the one at the front, with the clutch splines on it) there is a smaller circlip which goes in front of the inner race to hold the bearing on to the shaft. On the outer race of the bearing is a groove in which a larger circlip goes - this larger circlip is trapped between the front of the gearbox case and the bellhousing to limit any fore and aft movement. There is also a round oil sheild of thin, pressed sheet metal that fits in front of the bearing - if that is missing then there will be some movement back and forward.
If the bellhousing is off then there is nothing to stop the input shaft moving in and out. If the bellhousing is on then check that both those circlips are properly engaged in their respective slots and that the larger one has not 'chewed' its way into the bellhousing or front of the gearbox.
Make sure that the gasket between the bellhousing and gearbox housing is not too thick - that would give the large circlip too much room. This gasket is very important as it keeps the oil in! Also, make sure the bellhousing to gearbox case bolts are done up to the correct tightness - 29 lbs-ft - and there should be spring washers under the heads of the bolts.
It is normal for worn gearboxes to have a bit of 'looseness' - if it was not making terrible noises before removal 10:1 it is fit for further service, as Mike & gtjames say.

[guyopel]

James The front main shaft is loose when it is unbolted from the bellhousing .. the housing holds the input shaft in place -- so movement is normal so to check for abnormal wear you would have to bolt the trans. to the bellhousing and remove the trans. pan and then check for wear . HTH

[GMAN]

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info. The previous owner says it was shifting good. I bought it with clutch not working,so I'll find out when I put it back together. But I can tell you That oil shield is missing and the bolts from gearbox to bell housing were barely finger tight with a bad thick homemade gasket, that might explain the oily insides of the bellhousing. Do you think I can find a oil shield. Thanks again GMAN

[opelwasp]

Call OGTS, they've got what you need. Then start saving the pennies for the 5 speed.

[kwilford]

Originally Posted by GMAN But I can tell you That oil shield is missing and the bolts from gearbox to bell housing were barely finger tight with a bad thick homemade gasket, that might explain the oily insides of the bell housing. Do you think I can find a oil shield. Thanks again GMAN

The front shaft and bearing movement is perfectly normal on any Opel CIH transmission. As mentioned, it gets held in place by the bell housing.

I suspect that a member here might have a spare dust shield. But you can also make one out a piece of sheet metal

Make SURE that the front transmission seal, which sits in the recess in the bell housing, is good, and that the gasket between the transmission and bell housing is PERFECTLY sealed to both, and ESPECIALLY that the bolts that attach the transmission to the bell housing have good threads in the B-H and are PROPERLY torqued.

Reasons? The transmission doe not have a distinct front seal, and all three of those elements are required to ensure a leak-free transmission. If you lose the oil from the tranny, it will be destroyed quite quickly while driving. Ask me how I know....

Also, if the bolts are loose, (and/or the pilot bearing in the crank is worn or missing, which you should check while you have the tranny off), the transmission will tend to jump out of gear.

What was wrong with the clutch?

HTH

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by GMAN Thanks everyone for all the helpful info. The previous owner says it was shifting good. I bought it with clutch not working,so I'll find out when I put it back together. But I can tell you That oil shield is missing and the bolts from gearbox to bell housing were barely finger tight with a bad thick homemade gasket, that might explain the oily insides of the bellhousing. Do you think I can find a oil shield. Thanks again GMAN

Opels use a thin paper gasket between the bellhousing and standard transmission, unlike Chevys, for example. As there is an oil passage at the front of the tranny which is completed when mounted flush to the bellhousing, this MUST!!! be replaced to prevent tranny oil leaks at the input shaft! It's available from OGTS . . . maybe elsewhere too.

[GMAN]

The clutch release lever Slipped off the ball stud (the ballstud was missing the locknut!) So I'm assuming that caused the lever to come off the ball stud. It bent the flange on the throwout bearing, but nothing else looks damaged.The previous owner said it was shifting good. While driving it,pushed clutch pedal in and thats when clutch went out. I happened to see it one day and bought it. GMAN

[opelnut10]

GoninManta mentioned in a previous post that his Manta jumped out of fourth gear on decelaration. Fourth gear is direct drive in an Opel transmission and the engagment gear is on the input shaft and connected by a syncro. to the gear pack. This problem occurs when the syncro. ring is put into constant contact with the gear, and when the driver rides around with their hand on the shifter that places pressure against the syncro. and causes wear on the syncro. and the teeth on fourth gear (DON'T DO IT) if you can remember to leave your hand off the shifter unless you are shifting the transmission it will last a whole lot longer.