Auto Transmission Output Shaft Bearing...
 

Gents,

As the final step in my General Drivetrain Refresh Project - and while the exhaust system is out - I want to replace the transmission output shaft seal and nut.

Transmission was replaced about 10 years ago - Mercedes rebuild - but has developed a slow leak, at least part of which seems to be seeping from the output shaft.

Underlying problem, though, is that the shaft itself has a bit of play - in the up/down - left/right axes. It does not have in/out wash. The yoke itself seems firmly attached; no visible issues.

In lieu of much closer inspection, it just feels like the output shaft bearing might deserve replacement. Is this an externally-serviceable item, or is it internal to the case, or...?

I know Stretch and several others here have done work on these - anybody have thoughts on it?

Ball bearings generally don't get play until they fall apart from a failed cage. This will be visible once the seal is removed.

Is the yoke nut tight? It will be staked on but fretting wear will let the yoke some loose on the shaft. After a time the splines wear and drive will be lost.

Thanks for your input... This has been precisely my suspicion; that the bearing's races are wearing out. Though it hasn't completely fallen apart yet, I don't think the output shaft should be moveable...

Causality aside; my question, though, was on the serviceability of that bearing. Can it be easily replaced once the yoke is removed? Is it easily accessible? Anybody ever done this?

IE, I'm hoping to get all my ducks in a row here before disassembling everything again.

I presume we're discussing the '83 300SD, a 722.3?

Doesn't the tail of the transmission un-bolt?

Here is some information that may help you:

http://www.ganzeboom.net/uploads/images/7223-7224.jpg

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/370024-going-rebuild-my-722-315-a-2.html

Just to clarify, the cage is a sheet metal or plastic ring that gives the balls proper spacing. The cage can wear out and the balls fall to one side and no longer support the inner race relative to the outer race.

In any event, remove the bearing and have a look. I've seen some bearings in other applications spin the outer race and wear the part the bearing presses into.