Thanks much Dennis.

For sure. I was concerned about the main shaft needle bearing in my DK.

I checked for fore/aft play when input shaft was connected. Didn't
feel any, or at least any obvious play.

Great tip re 3/4 gears.

For the sake of keeping another DK core around for me, or someone
else, I really should pull it and upgrade to my spare WBX AB
transmission.

But I really should replace the blown water heater tank in my house first.  ;)

Neil.

On Mon, Mar 29, 2010 at 7:20 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Let's not confuse input shaft bearing with pilot shaft bearing. A bad pilot
> bearing can help cause the input shaft needle bearing. However, on the WB
> trannies the input shaft bearing that normally goes is the roller bearing at
> the other end that does all the work. When this one fails it often takes out
> the gear carrier housing. If the gear shifter moves as you apply/remove
> throttle in third or fourth gear you can be sure the main-shaft bearing
> and/or gear carrier housing is wiped out. You can sometimes run this way for
> a long time and sometimes the gears will become miss aligned enough to
> quickly make a real mess.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> neil n
> Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2010 10:32 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Transmission MainShaft Needle Bearing Noise
>
> Hi all.
>
> A Vanagon mechanic listened to the growling noise in my newly
> installed transmission. It's audible under load in 1/2, but not 3/4,
> likely due to louder ambient noise at higher speeds. (or ingrown ear
> hairs. <grin>) Noise is a little quieter than engine.
>
> Mechanic said "input shaft bearing" and kindly pointed out the part on
> an open WBX transmission. My Long Enterprises CD calls this part
> "mainshaft needle bearing". Bentley calls it "needle bearing" and
> shows it on mainshaft. (35.20 and 35.49... just for clarifications
> sake) Seems to me the worn bearing is allowing some other part(s) to
> actually make the noise.
>
> I understand pulling transmission sooner than later is best but.....
>
> If someone else has had this noise and/or diagnosis, how many miles
> did they drive it like that?
>
> Would this noise indicate a failed needle bearing?
>
> Running Redline MT synthetic if that figures in.
>
> Much thanks,
>
> Neil.