961 Output Shaft End Play

Colin King

Well-known Member
When we split the engine and the tranny, we found that the output shaft has a lot of end play. If you measure at the end of the shaft closest to the flywheel, the shaft moves 1/2" up and down (measured at engine mating end of bellhousing).

Is this normal or should we expect to dig into this a bit further?

Down:
https://nnalert.com/qc62pyu</img>
Up:
https://nnalert.com/mdrvhox</img>
 
Your pictures aren't showing up for me so I can't see what you're referring to, but the output shaft of the transmission is back at the other end of the tranny, where it meets the rear axle. Are you talking about the transmission input shaft?

Also, it sounds like you are describing up and down lateral play. End play is if the entire shaft would move forward and rearward. Does it move side to side as well as up and down?
 

Normal. The pilot bearing in the end of the crankshaft keeps everything centered when the trans is installed.
 
Thanks, Sean. Yes, I miss-wrote. It does move up/down & side-to-side. There is no movement forward or rearward.

Colin
 
Thanks, Jerry! We were going to replace the throwout bearing and the seals since we had it split. We were also going to do the clutch, but that looks brand new.

With the movement in the input shaft, that is going to make it much more challenging to align the shaft up for re-assembly. Any tips?

Colin
 
Colin,

I'm glad to see your progress!

The movement of the input shaft is not a big deal. Sure, it is probably out of factory specs, but it should work fine. That shaft is supported by a single probably ball bearing located behind the front wall of the tranny case. The fact that there is little or no end play suggests that the bearing is OK. It is perfectly normal for a ball bearing to have some sloppiness in the side to side plane, even new bearings. The input shaft is supported by the bushing in the end of the crankshaft (sometimes a bearing is used, and sometimes a brass bushing) and the back end of the same shaft is supported by the bearing just inside of the tranny case. The tail end of that same shaft has a large gear formed on it which drives the counter shaft. Notice also you have the dry splines the clutch disc rides on and the bigger hollow spline shaft which drives the PTO gears and shaft. When you reassemble the engine, clutch and rear end you need to be careful that you do not stress the hollow spline shaft. I engage the PTO lever and gently rock the PTO shaft back and forth (standing at the back of the tractor) with a pipe wrench until the splines line up with the ones on the pressure plate. If you use extra long bolts through the bell housing and rear of engine then you will be able to slide the engine and tranny together with little effort. DO NOT force them together with a come-along. The PTO hollow shaft has a seal on it also. Judging by the looks of the inside of the bell housing, the previous seals were doing their job.

Keep on keeping-on. Cheers!

Paul in MN
 
Hi Paul,

I'm glad you found this. I was just going to copy the url for the thread and email you. Please let Brian know that we've made good progress. That engine looks really good inside!

I'm taking the injectors in to Zips Service in St. Cloud next week. I'll give you more details, but we were uncomfortable using the head of Brian's engine due to that instrument. It actually went all the way into the water jacket. We've pulled both heads at this point and the old head looks good. I'll take it to a shop I guess next week to get it boiled out, milled, and new valves put in.

Thanks for the help on the input shaft!

I'll keep you posted!
Colin
 

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