Learn All About Manual Transmission Bearings

Manual transmission or manual gearbox is a standard transmission used as the most widely used transmission system, even today. This transmission system makes use of a clutch pedal and a gear shifter along with many other transmission components. The clutch gets engaged with the help of a foot pedal or hand lever, for regulating the torque transfer from the engine to the transmission. The gear selector is operated either by hand or foot.

There are many types of bearings found in the manual transmission systems. These bearings and washers have a distinctive identity and purpose. For example, the roller and ball bearings are used with shafts that help in high speed rotations. The bushing increases the contact area with the shaft and helps in reducing friction. Usually pressed into a case, these bushings have a really tight fit. It requires a special installation process and a puller tool for replacement. In recent times, the manual transmission system is installed with many shafts with the most common being the input and the output shafts. Selective thrust washers are used to adjust the endplay. Some thrust washers also contain needle bearings.

There are various types of bearings used for several important purposes in today’s manual transmission system. Each bearing can have a unique function and may also support other components functionality as well. Following are the different types of bearing used in a transmission system:

1. Ball Bearing - Ball bearings are the most commonly used bearings in a transmission system and its components. These bearings are known to handle both radial and axial loads easily. These are usually made of steep balls and are kept separated from each other and ride in the grooves in a hardened steel cage. Since they handle the load well and reduce friction and heat, they are used in high speed moving components in the transmission. This makes the components to work smoothly, without any jerks.
2. Roller Bearing - Roller bearing are similar to ball bearing, but have a greater surface area. Thus, they can be used even with much heavier components. These bearings find application in differentials, final drives and transfer shafts. Most of the time these bearings require a slight preload to function. Thus, always check for the instruction manual to set the correct preload for these bearings.
3. Needle Bearings - As the name suggests, needle bearings are small needle like bearings which are held by the cylinder using assembly grease. Since these bearings are not fastened to the cylinder, they can easily fall off and can be difficult to recollect. One can always make use of a petroleum jelly to collect them and install them again. Avoid using white, chassis or bearing grease for installing washers and bearing in the transmission as they may not mix well with the transmission fluid and cause problems later.
4. Torrington Bearings - Torrington bearings are basically the needle bearings sitting inside of a cage. Thus, they are also called caged needle bearings. They sit like the spokes of the bicycle inside a thrust washer. Thus, they help in controlling friction and shaft endplay.
5. Bushing - Bushings are cylinder shaped bearings made of soft metal or brass. The reason for this is that the bushing can wear off before hardened steel shaft. Bushings are usually present in the transmission case. Note that the transmission bushings contain a small oil hole aligned with the oil passage in the transmission case.
6. Thrust Washers - These are used to control the shaft end play. The dial gauge placed against the end of the shaft is used to adjust this end play.

The transmission bearings need to be lubricated properly to function properly. Usually this is the problem to many other symptoms accompanying drivability issues. Symptoms for the problematic manual transmission are mentioned below:

1. Engine Noise in Neutral - If you hear the noise coming from the engine when putting the gear in neutral, there might be a problem with the shaft bearing. Thus, the manual transmission bearing noise on gear changes can also be due to varied oil levels in the shaft bearings.
2. Loud Gear Shift Sounds - In the bearings are defective, it may make constant noise from the engine on gear shifting. This can cause great pressure on the transmission and load on the engine. If the input shaft bearing is faulty, the noise will be continuous and if the main shaft bearing is faulty, the noise will go when the engine is in idle.
3. Slippage in Gear - If the input shaft bearing has worn out, the gear may slip during transmission. If the bearing is bad, if may cause the shaft to move out of control and lead to improper alignment.
4. Erratic Vibrations - If the transmission bearings are faulty, it may cause erratic gear shifts and other noisy symptoms. Thus, the bearings or the shaft might need replacement.
5. Oil Leakage - If the front output shaft bearing is at fault, it may cause oil leakage from the transfer case. Apart from supporting and securing the transfer case, it also holds the oil in the case. If the oil gets leaked, it may cause increased operational temperatures and friction.

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The brighter you are, the more you have to learn! That’s why we are here to provide you more knowledge about the related parts of the car manual transmission bearing. They are mentioned below as follows: -

• Manual Transmission Main Shaft Bearing
• Manual Transmission Input Shaft Bearing
• Manual Transmission Main Shaft Pilot Bearing
• Manual Transmission Pinion Bearing
• Manual Transmission Bushing

The transmission system is a complex connection of components that work together to transfer the engine power to the gears and tires, enabling the vehicle to move. Thus, its diagnosis needs to be done carefully. The bearings are very small components that stay in the shaft and can fall and go missing. Thus, handle the components with care. Following are the steps for replacement of the transmission bearings:

• There are three components that are needed to be removed, the main shaft bearing, countershaft bearing, and the secondary shaft bearing. These have to be removed from the transmission housing by expanding each snap ring using the snap ring pliers and then pushing the bearings out.
• Next, install the new bearings as per the instructions in the manual. Take the help of the pictorial representations for clearer understanding.
• Using the snap ring pliers, expand the snap rings and insert the bearing part-way into the housing.
• After that, release the pliers and push the bearing down into the housing until the snap rings snap in the housing.
• After installing the bearings check if the snap rings are properly seated in the bearing and the housing grooves and if the ring end gaps are correct.
• If the installation is not done correct, repeat the above steps again.