ok i have a 86 camaro with 2.8 and 5 speed. i am replacing the motor,and i noticed after i pulled the old one out that my transmission input shaft has a lot of play in it and i thought that replacing the bearing would help. but i need to know how much work this will be. if i need to tear the whole tranny apart ill just put it back together and start looking for a new tranny. any help would be appreciated. a new bearing and seal is only like 15 bucks so if it is easy ill fix it now.

 

i dont remember correctly but i think you remove that front retainer and turn the input shaft till the flat end lines up with the cluster gear, anyhow you have to remove the top cover and the tailhousing, might as well rebuild the whole thing while your there or get another

 

dang and i was hoping you just pulled the retainer and the bearing would come out and i could throw in a new one with seal and call it a day. thanks anyway

 

Some play is normal. The tip of it will be supported by the pilot bushing/bearing.

 

i know some play is normal but im seeing somewhere between 1- 1 1/2 inches total up and down

 

Well....it COULD be easy or not! You could just take it apart and replace the bearing but make sure you are careful and look up the specs for play and preload. I freshened my T-5 in my Mustang myself and it was not too bad but I had a repair manual and a video. I took my time and put a complete rebuild kit in it sicne I needed to replace the countershaft gear set and my 3rd gear...blew apart somehow!!!

 

I bet with that much play that the roller bearings in the cup part of the input shaft and the tip of the main shaft are history!

I'm sorry to say but I bet total rebuild time...

 

So, how much play is normal? I just scored a wc t5 at the bone yard and noticed some side to side/ up down play on the input shaft. Nowhere near 1- 1 1/2 inches.... but visible to the eye at least.

 

when its new and tight there shouldnt be any play...infact a slight and i do mean slight drag is required to set the bearings...and after there set very little play like 2 tenths or less....anymore then that and the clutch gear beairng aswell as the mainshaft bearing are gone....probly the 15 rollers bearings to...

ohh and as far as removing the clutch gear...you can do it without taking off the cover lid or the tailhousing..put the tranny in 3rd gear and slide it out with the posted directions....it would also be smart to tilt the rear of the tranny towards the ground a little...this will keep the torrington bearing, race and spacer from falling into the bottom of the case....thus resulting it tear down anyway