Triumph Repair: Front seal issue, spitfire 1500, thrust washer
Question
input shaft/spacer/cir
I have rebuilt the transmission on my 1980 Spitfire 1500, and just when I think I'm home free, I have this new problem: When I attach the bell housing to the gear box, the shaft won't turn because the input shaft circlip jams up against the front seal. You can visually see that there is inadequate clearance for the seal. I thought perhaps the distance washer between the bearing and circlip might be too thick (about 1/8"), so I ordered a new one, and it is the same as the one I'm using. I have the seal pressed all the way in. Since the bearing is seated properly, I'm at a total loss.
AnswerThe washer you have between the circlip and the bearing doesn't belong there (if this is a single rail). All the stock 1500 tranny's (untouched single rail) I have the flanged circlip up against that inner bearing race. Only my 3 rail transmissions have that large "washer".
Even though the vicky brit exploded views show a thrust washer, none of my actual 1500 transmissions have one 1/8" thick, nor is the circlip "proud" of the bearing race.
It also appears that the bearing isn't fully seated; the large circlip on the bearing looks beat up, so I would question if it is fully seated, and there appears to be a gap between it and the transmission case.
