Is the input bearing assembly still available? How is it put in? Does the transmission need to be disassembled to press the bearing out? Or can it be extracted and replace without disassembling the transmission?
------------------ 88 GT 5 Speed Black with gray interior 3800 SCII Swap In Progress
"Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not."
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11:32 PM
PFF
System Bot
Jun 25th, 2011
thedrue Member
Posts: 1104 From: Vancouver, WA USA Registered: Feb 2009
you are screwed bro, I hate to be the bearer of bad news. That part is impossible to get ahold of. I have a leaky input shaft seal, all part of that component. basically SOL. Good luck, maybe find one used or there may be a few running around, if you find a supplier be sure to send me the info so I can order one.
This would be a great part for Sir Rodney to make...
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02:23 AM
Blacktree Member
Posts: 20770 From: Central Florida Registered: Dec 2001
The input shaft bearing/seal unit needs to be pressed out, and the new one pressed in. It requires having the transmission casing split apart.
And to add insult to injury, that particular part is pretty hard to come by. You could try contacting ManTrans... maybe you'll get lucky and they'll have one in stock.
I just went through this about three months ago on a customer's car. You do need to split the case, but luckily for you there is at least one great thread on how to do this. Use the search function and type in "Splitting Case". It's really not that daunting a task to do. As for finding the bearing by itself, that will be the hardest part, although the bearing is still available in the rebuild kit which includes all new seals, and several bearings. The kit part number is BK234 but unfortunately I don't know who the manufacturer is. Any transmission shop will be able to look it up for you though. Here in Canada the kit cost $225. Not cheap but there aren't too many alternatives. BTW you definitely want the shop to press in the new input shaft bearing once you've got the case half in your hands, as mine went in tight. There's a lot of potential to ruin it so leave that liability with the shop!
Going through same issue, I just had mine welded this morning, since part in no longer available. I figured could not ruin it any more, if this does not work going to have to replace tranny. Good luck and if you do find one by itself or in a kit hit me up need one bad!!!!
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06:35 PM
Apr 20th, 2012
Carver1 Member
Posts: 2843 From: Edgewood, New Mexico Registered: Nov 2000
digging up an old one! I was searching on how to separate my busted getrag and found this thread. I was able to remove the shaft bearing. If anyone needs this, let me know. it has a chip in the end of it, but I don't think it affects it at all.
Keep an eye on ebay for rebuild kits. You may be able to find one with the throwout bearing guide sleeve. I did find one a few years back. Many will be for the later transmissions with hydraulic throwout bearings; they have the same input shaft bearing except it doesn't have the sleeve on it. I think I got my rebuild kit from High Gear. You could also try giving them a call.
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01:40 AM
Archie Member
Posts: 9436 From: Las Vegas, NV Registered: Dec 1999
I think Rodney is working on getting these input bearings made.
Archie
I am still working on this. My ME friend and I have finished the R&D and the CAD drawings just a few days ago. Next is to have parts made. That will take a few months yet. Long and interesting project. Took a bit of thought and some inventiveness. It will work and it will happen.
------------------ Rodney Dickman
Fiero Parts And Acc's Web Page: All new web page!:www.rodneydickman.com Rodney Dickman's Fiero accessories 7604 Treeview Drive Caledonia, WI 53108 Phone/Fax (262) 835-9575
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10:54 AM
dsnover Member
Posts: 1668 From: Cherryville, PA USA Registered: Apr 2006
It was this exact failure on my (then new) 87 GT in 1989 that killed my engine.
When the support for the release bearing went, the release bearing rotated off of the release forks, allowing them to engage into the release splines on the clutch, which of course stopped the engine VERY abruptly, which in turn caused flat spots (unbeknownst to me) on the main and rod bearings.
Upon reassembly of the transmission, it took all of about 20 miles for the engine to develop bearing knock.
GM was completely useless in resolving the issue, despite the car still being in warrantee. They said because it was in the bell housing, it was a clutch issue, and therefore not covered.
It was at that moment I resolved never to buy another NEW GM again....
Rodney, I'm hoping that you will be successful in this endeavor. I have no doubt that it will be a better than OEM part...
...later transmissions with hydraulic throwout bearings
A friend of mine very recently resolved the situation you guys are talking about with his '88 Formula by using the bellhousing from a '93 Sunbird tranny (which utilizes the hydraulic throwout bearing).
That's all I know. I'm hoping he posts in this thread and shares his solution to this problem.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 04-20-2012).]
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05:39 PM
Apr 22nd, 2012
Hotcha10 Junior Member
Posts: 1 From: Sacramento, CA Registered: Feb 2012
While we all anxiously wait for Rodney's replacement unit, in despiration I bought the complete bearing kit last January to complete my getrag build-up. I actually bought the kit on ebay, but it is from DT Components. The part number is TRK-550 and their web page is dtcomponents.com. I paid about $300 for it on ebay, but I think it can be gotten cheaper from other sources. I hope this helps all of you who really need this part now.
Additional information: The number BK234 is also on the box label. I checked my favorites and http://www.manualtransmissionpart.com/BK234.html should take you to a distributer for the part. they are selling it their for $256.22.
[This message has been edited by Hotcha10 (edited 04-22-2012).]
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01:06 AM
Rodney Member
Posts: 4715 From: Caledonia, WI USA Registered: Feb 2000
While we all anxiously wait for Rodney's replacement unit, in despiration I bought the complete bearing kit last January to complete my getrag build-up. I actually bought the kit on ebay, but it is from DT Components. The part number is TRK-550 and their web page is dtcomponents.com. I paid about $300 for it on ebay, but I think it can be gotten cheaper from other sources. I hope this helps all of you who really need this part now.
Additional information: The number BK234 is also on the box label. I checked my favorites and http://www.manualtransmissionpart.com/BK234.html should take you to a distributer for the part. they are selling it their for $256.22.
This is probably a very limited availability item. One could ask how many they have but I would guess it is not that many.
------------------ Rodney Dickman
Fiero Parts And Acc's Web Page: All new web page!:www.rodneydickman.com Rodney Dickman's Fiero accessories 7604 Treeview Drive Caledonia, WI 53108 Phone/Fax (262) 835-9575
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08:10 AM
Apr 23rd, 2012
2.5 Member
Posts: 43225 From: Southern MN Registered: May 2007
This is probably a very limited availability item. One could ask how many they have but I would guess it is not that many.
Yep I emailed them here is the response:
"Hello, Thank you for contacting us. I'm sorry we don't have any of these kits in stock. When we checked with our supplier they tell us these are no longer available. Thank you Julie manualtansmissionpart.com"
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02:31 PM
Aug 10th, 2012
jaredmurray88 Member
Posts: 1153 From: wellersburg pa Registered: Mar 2011
any luck on these input bearings rodney? sorry to pester i really am the big build day is looming closer and closer and i really do not want to put in a questionable trans. your items are top notch and i would love that peace of mind
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01:03 AM
Rodney Member
Posts: 4715 From: Caledonia, WI USA Registered: Feb 2000
The machine shop that is making these has been having problems. The owners son was seriously hurt in a car accident and that has slowed everything. But They tell me they should have the parts finished in maybe 2 weeks. So fingers crossed I will have the parts in 2-3 weeks. Hopefully.
------------------ Rodney Dickman
Fiero Parts And Acc's Web Page: All new web page!:www.rodneydickman.com Rodney Dickman's Fiero accessories 7604 Treeview Drive Caledonia, WI 53108 Phone/Fax (262) 835-9575
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06:22 AM
jaredmurray88 Member
Posts: 1153 From: wellersburg pa Registered: Mar 2011
Unfortunately this should have been done a few months ago. Not happy but what can I do.
There are several machined parts to this kit. They had some finished and some yet to do. If I pulled out I would be at the back of the line at another manufacturer plus all the time spent to make sure they make them right.
------------------ Rodney Dickman
Fiero Parts And Acc's Web Page: All new web page!:www.rodneydickman.com Rodney Dickman's Fiero accessories 7604 Treeview Drive Caledonia, WI 53108 Phone/Fax (262) 835-9575
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03:08 PM
jaredmurray88 Member
Posts: 1153 From: wellersburg pa Registered: Mar 2011
hey things like this happen rodney we all know how you are with quality control lol that is why you are where you are on everybody's "call THIS place for THESE parts" list
Not happy but what can I do. 
