Gearbox input shaft grease?

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zigzagsky
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#1 Gearbox input shaft grease?

Post by zigzagsky » Tue Oct 23, 2018 4:01 pm

Finally got to the point on my Series 2 where I can marry up the gearbox and engine but I’m having problems getting the input shaft of the gearbox to slide through the clutch plate splines (I have used a clutch alignment tool).

Should I apply a very small amount of grease to the splines or not? If so, what is recommended?

I’m thinking that it is better not to since I guess any grease might attract clutch dust and maybe cause issues in the future.

Any other tips to get them to mate up easily? I’m worried about using long bolts to draw them together (the box onto the engine) in case it causes some damage given it’s reluctance to slide on easily.
Brian
1969 Primrose yellow Series 2, 2plus2
Boyhood dream fulfilled at last!

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abowie
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#2 Re: Gearbox input shaft grease?

Post by abowie » Tue Oct 23, 2018 11:21 pm

It's not uncommon to find this difficult. Grease or oil is fine.
Andrew.
881824, 1E21538. 889457. 1961 4.3l Mk2. 1975 XJS. 1962 MGB
http://www.projectetype.com/index.php/the-blog.html
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#3 Re: Gearbox input shaft grease?

Post by zigzagsky » Wed Oct 24, 2018 8:17 am

Thanks,

I'll apply a small amount of HM grease just to the splines on the clutch plate which should keep any spatter under rotation to a minimum.
Brian
1969 Primrose yellow Series 2, 2plus2
Boyhood dream fulfilled at last!

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mgcjag
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#4 Re: Gearbox input shaft grease?

Post by mgcjag » Wed Oct 24, 2018 8:29 am

Hi Brian....are you having problems locating with the clutch assembled on the flywheel....if so then dismantle and check the plate on the shaft........or pepending what alignment tool you have used it might still be misaligned.. Steve
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (just sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

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#5 Re: Gearbox input shaft grease?

Post by christopher storey » Wed Oct 24, 2018 8:45 am

Without wishing to teach my grandmother , etc there is a definite technique to employ for this job . First , make sure that top gear is engaged so that you can easily jiggle the splines rotationally using the tailshaft. Second, get someone/something to support fully the tail of the assembly whilst you do the jiggling. Third, if it still will not go home , then, having checked by eye ( amazingly accurate ) that the clutch plate has not moved out of alignment , with someone else supporting the weight , repeat the whole process using your feet to apply forward pressure to the bell housing

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#6 Re: Gearbox input shaft grease?

Post by zigzagsky » Thu Oct 25, 2018 10:30 am

I will double check the plate alignment when I finish work tonight but I used a dedicated XK engine alignment tool and it certainly looked aligned 'by eye' once I had tightened it all up.

@Chris, We did try doing it as a two man job (one each side and supporting the tail trying to keep the alignment correct) but I take your point about putting the gearbox in 4th and then using the propshaft joint to rotate the splines to assist with it being supported by the 'other' person - I'll give it a go.

Watch this space...
Brian
1969 Primrose yellow Series 2, 2plus2
Boyhood dream fulfilled at last!

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#7 Re: Gearbox input shaft grease?

Post by zigzagsky » Fri Oct 26, 2018 9:25 am

UPDATE.

So I checked the clutch alignment and all was OK but I decided to take it apart anyway and see if I could get the plate to fit over the input shaft splines on it's own... and it didn't... Aha!

Looking carefully at it (brand new AP clutch), it seemed that there was some very slight burring on the front facing edges of the splines. A short clean up with a needle file (just the front edge - not enlarging anything) and it fits on the shaft fine now. Yippeee!

Next problem was that I can't leave well alone...

I looked at how I had done the safety wire on the two bell housing bolts and thought that it could be better so I re-did it. Easy enough except that when I tightened up the grub screw holding the release bearing to the shaft it broke - doh!! So now I have to wait for a new grub screw from SNG Barratt before continuing.
Brian
1969 Primrose yellow Series 2, 2plus2
Boyhood dream fulfilled at last!

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#8 Re: Gearbox input shaft grease?

Post by mgcjag » Fri Oct 26, 2018 10:53 am

Hi Brian...also make sure you put the plate in the correct way around and check the spigot bearing....the one in the end of the crank that the gearbox shaft fits into.. Steve
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (just sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

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#9 Re: Gearbox input shaft grease?

Post by zigzagsky » Mon Oct 29, 2018 9:38 am

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the info. What should I be looking for specifically with regards to the spigot bearing?

Brian
Brian
1969 Primrose yellow Series 2, 2plus2
Boyhood dream fulfilled at last!

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#10 Re: Gearbox input shaft grease?

Post by mgcjag » Mon Oct 29, 2018 9:53 am

Hi Brian....its a soft wearable bush..in my opinion its worth replaceing when you replace a clutch.....its not uncommon for someone intending to replace it to take it out and forget to put in a new one.......only to find it sitting on the bench after they have reinstalled the engine/ gearbox..........so it was really just a reminder to you.... Steve
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (just sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

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#11 Re: Gearbox input shaft grease?

Post by Hugo » Mon Oct 29, 2018 1:27 pm

It always pays to check that the centre plate will easily fit the splines before ass.y. As you now know. As a double check, I always use a vernier caliper to measure the OUTSIDE of the centre plate from the flywheel to make sure it's dead on. Through the gaps in the pressure plate that is.
Hugo Miller - rebuilding an imported Series II OTS & converting to RHD

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#12 Re: Gearbox input shaft grease?

Post by zigzagsky » Wed Oct 31, 2018 10:52 pm

Thanks for all the advice and tips gentlemen.

Gearbox now attached to the engine.

:bouncyyellow:
Brian
1969 Primrose yellow Series 2, 2plus2
Boyhood dream fulfilled at last!

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#13 Re: Gearbox input shaft grease?

Post by jag68 » Sun Nov 04, 2018 12:04 am

Brian Get a couple of 3/8 NF bolts about 3 - 4 inches long, and cut the heads off. You can round the shank off if you want. Place into the top two holes in the block and use as guides to mount the transmission. Makes the job much easier - well it would have anyway.
1967 E Type coupe
1968 E Type OTS
2007 XKR

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