How long has she got Doc?

[ME 109]

Charlie, I do not wish to claim any rights on Hans' bearings. First one to need them perhaps....

I don't mind at all working on our boxes together, two heads are better than one.
Not sure when I'll go in, what with spring rides etc coming up. Once again there is the dilemma, how many more k's do I dare ride knowing the fuzz is coming.......

[ME 109]

A quick look at Jörg's site tonight is all that's possible for now. It does appear to contain the necessary information and links to boot.
Learning how (mostly) to do the job in my head before trying to pull the tranny apart will have benefits.

[Airbear]

Hmm, well, that supposedly reconditioned gearbox I bought a couple of years ago had a similar amount of fuzz on the plug at the first oil change, including little shiny fragments. It's always been noisy, too. I only get nervous when I'm doing over 140 and the thought pops into my head about how to deal with a rear wheel lockup. Anyways, I've got two boxes to deal with, the original 74 being the first, and Hans's kind offer will almost certainly be part of the solution. Getting those two boxes opened up will be the start.

When you get the chance, re-read Jörg's article again carefully, looking at all the pics in turn. The second reading makes all the difference. It really does seem doable, particularly with the special non-BMW tools Ray of Beechworth is offering. I had previously thought that 'doing' a gearbox involved secret knowledge and far more technology than I could muster.

So Jeff, don't quote me, but I reckon the spring rides can be done before surgical intervention. You are taking things a bit easier nowadays, aren't you? Grin.

[ontic]

That was my take on it too Charlie. Seems eminently doable.
But then I got talked out of it. I'm not trying to talk you two out of it, I'm just saying. I was told it is not quite as easy as simply 'following the instructions', that there are a few 'tricks' to getting it right. I'll be sending mine up to get done 'right' (with all different bearings sealed and the same old tricks) because I am already sending other bits up to the same guy to work on and he has a proven record with that kind of rebuild.

However, I really think it is worth a shot doing it yourself. The good worst case scenario is you take it easy, feel how it feels, and might have to open it a few times to mess with the shimming.
Once it is understood I see the potential for a neat little side business for someone on this end of the world. I know RG still doesn't have someone to rebuild them for him (and looking at how your rebuild came out, his last guy obviously wasn't that great).
I don't think it could be all that hard to understand. I took my time rebuilding my transfer case on my 4x4, which was absolutely stuffed, new everything including all the gears and shafts from a donor box (except the lone little PTO gear) a bit different but also pretty similar- in the end, after fiddling with it for months, it was just a big metal jigsaw puzzle and I actually understood it. It still works 5 years later

Anyway, good luck with the figuring. All those linked to pages are worth a read, including the foreign language ones (with some google translating).
Next time your down in Melbourne you can grab this box Charlie

[Airbear]

Thanks mate. There's a Melburg visit planned in the not-too-distant.

[Zombie Master]

I guess it's all about how much damage you are will to inflict on the still good parts. The daily grind as it were.

[ME 109]

I guess it's all about how much damage you are will to inflict on the still good parts. The daily grind as it were.

That's it in a nutshell.

[Jean]

If the bearings are failing, and you caught it in time, there may not be any significant damage to the other internal parts...like gears and forks. Continuing to ride will introduce additional damage...what if some new particles start going around in the gear teeth?

[Major Softie]

If the bearings are failing, and you caught it in time, there may not be any significant damage to the other internal parts...like gears and forks. Continuing to ride will introduce additional damage...what if some new particles start going around in the gear teeth?

Failing bearings also mean parts meshing in a different way than intended.

[ME 109]

If the bearings are failing, and you caught it in time, there may not be any significant damage to the other internal parts...like gears and forks. Continuing to ride will introduce additional damage...what if some new particles start going around in the gear teeth?

Failing bearings also mean parts meshing in a different way than intended.

Yep, I think it's game over 'till I fix it.
I studied the tranny oil when I drained it hot, couldn't see any crap. Looks like the magnetic plug had most/all of it.

Better start reading up.
I'll need a shimming plate I'spose.