U20 5spd tail housing removal tip?

[nismou20]

With my engine out I’m addressing other issues one of which is a hairline crack right at trans mount area in casting. It looks to be right close to where the countershaft aft end fits into tailhousing. With all 6 or so bolts out and shift bolt and speedo gear removed I’m having a lot of resistance in sliding tailhousing off. Also, should the shifter slide shaft go thru the housing when removing housing and stay connected to the internals?

[jrusso07]

Shifter control stays withthe tail section.

I have always had trouble removing the tail section. First, heat the casting at the rear bearing. The bearing s pressed into the casting and should stay on the output shaft when tail comes off. It takes a lot of heat. Then, with a dead blow hammer, hit the two dogs on the casting to separate it from the middle section. I place the bell housing side down, on some wood blocks so input shaft doesn't hit the floor. Then hammer upward on the tail section.

Do NOT wedge anything in between thecasting as you can easily damage the sealing surfaces

[nismou20]

Thanks Joe, Your heat/Hammer method worked great. And now I know what cracked my tailhousing. The countershaft endbolt totally backed out. Had thought it a fluke when the casting cracked 2 years ago and at the time JB Welded it. What a testament to JB but now got to track down a bolt and washer for it. I’m hoping the threads are ok or I’m in for a new shaft! Ugh. So, would anyone know why this circlip got bent? I believe it’s only function is to hold the rear bearing in place. But when tail came off it was just like it in pic.

[jrusso07]

I have never seen the circlip bent and I have been through four boxes. My guess would be either it wasn’t properly seated in the shaft groove or as the counter shaft bolt backed out (never seen that either) it put a bias on the gear train and pushed on the rear bearing...?

Have one a Warner box on the vice now for a rebuild but it is way too cold to work out in the shop. This one has a 5 speed neutral problem - when I removed gear train, the large lock and shaft nut were both loose....

[Linda]

Ouch! I wonder how that happened? Tranny mount?
Linda