SIII -Gearbox Reverse Gear bearing removal

Hi all. Im new to the forum.

Series 3 gearbox problem, Im overhauling the gearbox. I have removed reverse gear and need to replace the needle roller bearing inside the gear. Its held in by inner square circlips with no eyelets to facilitate removal. Supplier says these clips are no longer available but has included the bearing in the overhaul kit.

Has anyone come across these spring circlips and is there a special tool to remove the clips? Ive tried using jewellers screwdrivers but couldnt remove them. Dr.

if you need to replace brg replace shaft and gear as well ,as inner surface of gear is brg race as well as shaft if they are allright leave brg as it isnt usually brg wear you worry about but teeth ,there isnt a special tool just a matter of prising one edge up, not easy

jamesmartin said:

if you need to replace brg replace shaft and gear as well ,as inner surface of gear is brg race as well as shaft if they are allright leave brg as it isnt usually brg wear you worry about but teeth ,there isnt a special tool just a matter of prising one edge up, not easy

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Thanks I got the clip out. I disagree with some of what you say. The reality is we drive small distances in reverse gear however, brg wear over 38 yrs occurs in that area! Needle roller wear happens over time to rollers and cage. Pitting occasionally, and dislodged needles. Replace all is not usually necessary. Replace gear only when teeth excessively worn or visibly damaged. To say to replace the whole lot if the brg is worn is not needed and expensive.

You are right in saying the inner surface of the gear is a brg race but wear in that area is not likely an issue due to the grade of steel used to make the gears. Wear will more than likely translate to the shaft and bearing esp vehicles of some age. There is always a bit of play when using needle rollers the idea is that the oil fills the gaps for an element of float. In saying that obviously if the fit is too sloppy then it would be time to inspect shaft and gear.

Even if there is a little wear on that shaft it wouldnt be a big issue. Matched with a new bearing and a good synthetic gearbox oil of a GL4 compatability will see that area out for another 15 years. Dr.

the needle brg is harder than gear surface, all brgs use oil so that metal surfaces arent in direct contact, it probably wont matter but there no point if been precise putting two new surfaces that need to run in with old one, ,you strip alot and youll find brg allways surface allways outlast gears and shafts ,i just done lt95 brgs on intermediate gears look ok but both inner surface and shaft hard facing worn off

jamesmartin said:

the needle brg is harder than gear surface, all brgs use oil so that metal surfaces arent in direct contact, it probably wont matter but there no point if been precise putting two new surfaces that need to run in with old one, ,you strip alot and youll find brg allways surface allways outlast gears and shafts ,i just done lt95 brgs on intermediate gears look ok but both inner surface and shaft hard facing worn off

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Fair call on the gear hardness but it very much depends on the quality of bearing and where the wear occurs in your needle roller. More so the composition of the retaining cage varies and can determine a different outcome when your talking wear. The retainers are not always harder than the gear.

The thing is you get these replacements in overhaul kits so its a good idea to use them. I just object to the 'throw it away and buy a whole new one idea' because a bearing has wear? If were talking about 1st/2nd gear that would be a certain to change it out if the dog teeth(synchro teeth) have taken a beating.

A little wear on reverse gear shouldnt warrant throwing out for a new one. Dr.

rev gear is first i change ,straight cut teeth are weakest teeth in box

seeing as we're on the subject of reverse gear... if it won't disengage is it more probable that there is shaft, or excessive tooth wear ?

Once mines in, and being used, I have to double de-clutch to get the bastard thing to slip out.... sometimes twice...