Getting drive shaft "cap" back on
 

I have just changed the gearbox, was able to lift into place on my own (although two days later my arms feel like lead!).

Now when putting the long drive shaft back in (this is a 180), it has like a metal cap ring thing that goes over the driveshaft end and onto the diff (god knows what this is called), anyway, I know its meant to go back so seal it all in, but I cannot get a hammer in the space or anyway to push it back into the gearbox easily.

Anybody got any tips on how to re-seat the damn thing.

The long drive shaft should just slide in as long as it's in the splines!! There is no C clip to hammer into plac. They are fun as there is little room to move under there :(

Do you mean the diff oil seal?.

Could me, its a metal ring with a hollow on the gearbox side that fits into the grove on the gearbox. The drive shaft is already in the correct position. I think its like a dust cover or something.

I will take a photo if it helps.

This http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MG-Rover-P...item3a733e2f74

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=251041558388

Nope not those then, I will take photo.

http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/ItemImag...GRID003092.gif

Is it the ring in the lower right corner of this diagram, not item 7,

Yes, thats the little beauty
http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/y...e/IMAG0327.jpg

Excellent, all we need now is some ideas how to re-seat it:laugh:

Good pic, nice view of the crank sensor as well.

Wow, the sense of anti-climax there :), I thought you you was onto somthing :lol:

Can you spot my lightened flywheel as well, mmm tasty.

Looking at your pic I kind of get the feeling that ring has been in that position for a long while, there's no marks showing it's moved along the shaft recently.

That is a dirt/water thrower and it's in the wrong place !! There is rust in the drive shaft between it and the box!! I'll take a pic of mine if it ever stops raining but going from memory mine is closer to the box than that.

No is hanging loose there, I just moved for a better photo, its a lot larger than the driver shaft, it just gets tight when you try to seat it on the gearbox.

Right, I think i am misunderstanding what it does, I think it does NOT connect to the gearbox, but just sit on the end of the drive shaft, that makesw sense if its a dirt thrower.

This is as close to the gearbox I can get it.

http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/y...e/IMAG0329.jpg

I agree, looking at the witness mark it suggests that's where it sat before.

Does this ring actually do anything if it sits that far off the housing? In any other application that would be called a Nilos Ring if sat far enough into the housing but looking at it, it won't be that or do that job.

Well I tried to.seat it on spare gearbox and it does not fit, its too small so this is only place it can go.

It's purpose is to help keep stuff off the seal in the box. The shaft is parallel so contaminants could run up the shaft causing seal damage so this dohiky stops that happening!! There is a CV joint on the other drive shaft so this wouldn't happen there.

Still not convinced on that, looks inadequate. But hey ho, it's must do something as they all have it.

Rave refers to it as a "Dust Shield" !!

Well you learn something new every day, got to admit surprised no one has come across this little thing before.

Anyway, thanks guys, just hopefully give the gearbox and lightened fly a test tonight, assuming the gearbox oil turns up in time.

Out of interest how did you find the job overall? Anything you would do different or things we ought to be aware of?

In terms of the gearbox removal, flywheel etc??

Not really, it is a "simple" as removing the drive shafts, and then start unbolting the gearbox.

The long drive shaft, you need to unbolt a bracket and then it just slides out, the short one, I removed the whole CV joint from the gearbox, which is a big pain, but you don't need to do this, you can just remove the CV boot jubilee clip and pull the CV joint from its case, alot easier.

The only bolts I found a pain was the bottom two, as the exhaust gets in the way, you can do it but the bolts don't come fully out, but enough for the gearbox to be released.

You need an impact wrench, or a flywheel locking tool, I did it with a impact wrench, this got the flywheel and clutch off without problems. (Make sure you use brand new bolts for the flywheel and clutch)

The biggest PITA was the gear selector connector pin, that was really stuck in there, had to get a 7mm punch and maahhooossiive hammer to get it to shift.

Putting back was the pain really (physically), I lifted the gear box, by hand from within the engine bay, and then rested it on a sensible sized plateform (a book case in my case). I lowered the engine to match the height of the gearbox, and then using luck and a bit of strength managed to get the gearbox to connect with the engine, its then a case of doing up the bolts, the rave recommends bottom ones first, I would agree with that. I found that one of the guiding pins was reluctant to go in, but once the bottom bolts where nipped up, I could jiggle it a bit more until it slotted in.

Theres not much to it, but you will find that some bolts are really stuck in there, like the gearbox mount ones, that is what took all the time for me, as the time I didn't have the correct size impact sockets and I was waiting for parts for my impact gun, so did it by hand.

Not worst job in the world, but defo a very physical and dirty job if doing it on your own.



PS, move all of the airbox and piping out of the way, it gives you great access to all of the gearbox.

EDIT: Whilst gearbox is out, make sure to your remove all of the clutch arm parts, clean them, grease it all up and put it back it, the difference is just amazing. I probably should do a how too when I get time

Useful information.

I have been waiting to do mine for months now, been waiting on my back to heal and now the darned weather as I cannot get the zed in my garage!

I've already got the new flywheel bolts, just taken delivery of my new digital torque wrench. Got another gearbox and have already refurbed the fork arm and shaft.

It'll be like having a new car once done.