FE Power Forums
FE Power Forums => FE Technical Forum => Topic started by: Diogenes on August 16, 2021, 09:38:05 PM
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While tearing down the toploader tonight, a "bastard clip" thoroughly earned it's name. The BASTARD clip holding the 3/4 synchro chipped a spline off the end of the mainshaft, outboard of the groove for the clip (I'll try to post a photo). The synchros and gears all slid off fine, and I think it is fine,I'll just need to carefully smooth/deburr the edges of the break. No bearings ride on the area. I prefer not to purchase a mainshaft unless absolutely necessary.
Thoughts? Opinions? Similar experiences? Thanks....
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I've used em like that, never a problem, even with 3 of em gone.
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+1 no problem.
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Experience tells me that you won't have any issues re-using the main shaft. In an attempt to mitigate any influence the missing tooth might have on the retainer snap ring function, I would install said snap ring so that missing tooth is positioned 180* opposite the open end of the snap ring. As said above, I have used main shafts in racing applications with as many as 3 consecutive teeth missing without any incidents. My guess at cause is, heat treat tends to make the previously machined teeth exposed on the side of the retainer ring groove a bit brittle due to the surface area ratio of the exposed teeth to their mass. You should see what happens to those teeth when someone forgets to remove that snap ring prior to driving the main shaft, forward, out of the rear bearing. Additionally, I would recommend installing a "new" snap ring in that retainer groove simply to maximize it's clamping force on the base of the ring groove, thereby, limiting its ability to float around the groove.
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I thought it would be fine, it's just good to get some confirmation. That particular clip was the most difficult of them all, so I was pretty happy when I finally got it out, but that quickly changed when I noticed the chip,
Did any of you do anything to the chipped area, or just left it as is?
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I leave them alone.
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I leave the area alone; strictly, based on my individual propensity to fail to improve the condition. Examination of the snap ring edges will reveal a directional component to the stamping process. You will likely want to install the snap ring with the "smooth/rounded" edges facing toward the front of the main shaft to limit interference of edges. On an un-damaged groove common wisdom is to install the snap ring with the "sharp" edge forward so that forward thrust is more concentrated at the base of the main shaft groove. Good luck.
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Thank you all for putting my mind at ease. I'll definitely check out the form of the clip when reassembling.