Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) NV4500 Input shaft supposed to float?

[Sean Flanagan]

During my recent clutch failure, I noticed that the input shaft on my manual transmission (NV4500) seemed loose. You could wiggle it a bit from side to side but there was no or very little play end to end. I pulled the nose piece off to replace the seal and the bearings look perfect. No signs of wear, anywhere. Is this lateral play supposed to be there? One could assume that it is necessary to correct for slight mis-alignment of the transmission to the flywheel. The service manuals said nothing about this side to side play. They only gave a axial play spec of something 0. 001 to 0. 005, which mine was well within.



Thanks in advance...

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Axial play would be side to side (or up and down) wouldn't it????? From the shaft axis outward.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

You almost certainly have too much endplay on the mainshaft and/or wear on the flat bearing between the input and mainshaft (even though you probably can't see any). Mainshaft end play spec is . 002-. 006"

 

[Sean Flanagan]

OK, I'm getting confused, I guess I'll clarify a bit.



The end play, measured in the direction that the shaft is pointing is about 0. 004", within the 0. 002 to 0. 006 spec.



The side to side play, measured perpendicular to the direction that the shaft is pointing, at the tip of the input shaft where it contacts the pilot bearing, is around 0. 070" to 0. 080". I can't find a spec anywhere about this side to side play.



Is it OK?

 

[Jetson]

If the end play is in spec, the side to side shouldn't be a problem. It's normal to have side to side slop. That is where the pilot bushing comes in. If you had a lot of slop in the pilot bushing, you could break an input shaft.

 

[Sean Flanagan]

Jetson,



That's good to hear. I was getting a bit concerned that my transmission was trashed.