HELP: Removed my 182 Gearbox, more than Thrust Bearing Broken

Razmann4k · 2025-02-22T18:33:28+0000

Hi, I recently purchased a 182 with my dad that had an issue (which we were aware of before buying). The clutch fork wobbled around when the car was just idling, with so much movement that it was hitting some pipes. When releasing the clutch when pulling off the car would judder violently and when trying to go into reverse it would grate and we'd have to switch the car off first. When the car was up to speed though, it changed between 2nd and 3rd, 3rd to 4th etc. fine enough, though the clutch bit really really early, like a finger's distance from the floor, so I assume the ratchet adjuster or cable may be at fault (the cable is a cheap plastic thing that I will replace). Other than those issues, the engine, suspension, bodywork, etc. was in good nick, and the price was reasonable, so we took it, hoping to fix it up ourselves on our driveway.

Now, the previous owner apparently had the syncros and clutch done only 5000km ago, and they said they didn't have the flywheel skimmed. However, I'm not sure I trust the quality of the work done by whoever they took it to, and we planned while the gearbox is off to inspect the clutch disc and flywheel myself, and I think I'm going to have the box inspected and potentially refurbished professionally.

We managed after a lot of trouble to remove the gearbox, and as we suspected, the thrust bearing was ruined. However, this other thing the thrust bearing rides on which I'm not entirely sure of its name is also broken.

Some pictures:

Advikaz · 2025-02-22T18:39:34+0000

@NorthloopCup

JamesBryan · 2025-02-22T18:42:05+0000

Guide tube.

Cub. · 2025-02-22T18:51:36+0000

Advikaz said:
@NorthloopCup

You can’t just say his name.

You have to put a massive Jagermeister sign in the night sky. Like the way you summon Batman. That’s how you get the gearbox god to respond.

NorthloopCup · 2025-02-22T19:48:55+0000

That’s the 3rd guid tube in almost as many weeks that’s fucked like that.

Best advise is don’t skim the flywheel either. They don’t respond well to that and it makes them a potential point of failure - especially if they take too much meat off.

NorthloopCup · 2025-02-22T19:58:00+0000

Cub. said:
You can’t just say his name.

You have to put a massive Jagermeister sign in the night sky. Like the way you summon Batman. That’s how you get the gearbox god to respond.

View attachment 1732157

Number 7 of the evening. And I don’t mean Chanel either.

Razmann4k · 2025-02-22T20:13:38+0000

NorthloopCup said:
That’s the 3rd guid tube in almost as many weeks that’s fucked like that.

Best advise is don’t skim the flywheel either. They don’t respond well to that and it makes them a potential point of failure - especially if they take too much meat off.

Thanks for responding so soon😂 At least I'm not alone, why do you think the guide tube got so fucked as you put it? The tube was even flared at the end where it meets the pressure plate, like a rolled lip, so much so that the thrust bearing won't even come off. Only thing I can say is that the state of the rest of car shows that whoever worked on it cut corners (the front struts had no rubber seats below the springs for example), and may have taken the previous owner for a ride.

BTW, I haven't yet removed the clutch and pressure plate as it was getting dark, but I noticed once the box was off that the flywheel seemed like it has two separate sets of teeth, the height of the inner ring was shorter, so it may be a dual mass flywheel.

Perhaps if it is a dual-mass, the clutch and pressure plates aren't the same between dual mass and non-dual mass flywheels, and the person who installed the new clutch didn't install the correct one? And as for skimming the flywheel, does that mean when changing the clutch and pressure plate, as long as there's still meat on it, and it isn't otherwise ruined, that it can just be reused as is and won't have any issues interfacing with the new clutch disc?

Also, I'm wondering whether it will also be advisable or necessary to change the clutch fork, it shows shiny metal where it's supposed to contact the thrust bearing and may be unevenly worn, although I didn't check it thoroughly yet.

JamesBryan · 2025-02-22T20:18:49+0000

Not a dual mass on them.

Two sets of teeth is right, the ones at the back are for the starter and the front set is for the trigger pattern on the crankshaft sensor.

NorthloopCup · 2025-02-22T20:21:48+0000

Razmann4k said:
Thanks for responding so soon😂 At least I'm not alone, why do you think the guide tube got so fucked as you put it? The tube was even flared at the end where it meets the pressure plate, like a rolled lip, so much so that the thrust bearing won't even come off. Only thing I can say is that the state of the rest of car shows that the previous owner/owners cut corners and penny pinched (the front struts had no rubber seats below the springs for example), so I wouldn't be surprised if they took it to some second rate mechanic who had never touched an RS in their lives.

BTW, I haven't yet removed the clutch and pressure plate as it was getting dark, but I noticed once the box was off that the flywheel seemed like it has two separate sets of teeth, the height of the inner ring was shorter, so it may be a dual mass flywheel.

Perhaps if it is a dual-mass, the clutch and pressure plates aren't the same between dual mass and non-dual mass flywheels, and the person who installed the new clutch didn't install the correct one? And as for skimming the flywheel, does that mean when changing the clutch and pressure plate, as long as there's still meat on it, and it isn't otherwise ruined, that it can just be reused as is and won't have any issues interfacing with the new clutch disc?

Also, I'm wondering whether it will also be advisable or necessary to change the clutch fork, it shows shiny metal where it's supposed to contact the thrust bearing and may be unevenly worn, although I didn't check it thoroughly yet.

I think the reason they’re failing is due to age mate tbh. Many heat cycles have gone through those clutch guide tubes now.

As above, single mass flywheel not dual.

Regards the flywheel, if there’s no significant grooves in it, or cracks that you can fit your finger nail in, just clean it up with emery paper on the surface and refit/replace the clutch.

Razmann4k · 2025-02-22T20:28:35+0000

JamesBryan said:
Not a dual mass on them.

Two sets of teeth is right, the ones at the back are for the starter and the front set is for the trigger pattern on the crankshaft sensor.

Well, that's a relief😅

NorthloopCup said:
I think the reason they’re failing is due to age mate tbh. Many heat cycles have gone through those clutch guide tubes now.

As above, single mass flywheel not dual.

Regards the flywheel, if there’s no significant grooves in it, or cracks that you can fit your finger nail in, just clean it up with emery paper on the surface and refit/replace the clutch.

Makes sense, I hope I can find a guide tube in South Africa🤞🏻 As for the flywheel, I'll definitely give it the once over in the manner you stated. Thanks again.

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HELP: Removed my 182 Gearbox, more than Thrust Bearing Broken

Razmann4k

Advikaz

JamesBryan

Cub.

NorthloopCup

NorthloopCup

Razmann4k

JamesBryan

NorthloopCup

Razmann4k

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