I've been away for the weekend, but I'm determined to get this back together this week. A few questions that were running through my head first, though...

I notice in the haynes manual that the input shaft bearing nut has a high target torque - 86 to 101 ft lb. I have a torque wrench but I don't have an insanely deep socket that would fit all the way over the input shaft. how does one make sure the nut is torqued back up high enough?

Pinion depth, preload and backlash. I understand that all of these are important and after a bit of reading up I'm pretty sure I have at least a basic grasp on it all, but I'm not sure if i have to mess around with these or if I can trust how it was set up originally after having to change the diff carrier bearings and finding a shredded shim?

Lastly, the replacement input shaft and top rear bearings that I bought are a bit different to the originals - they have what looks like oil seals on them so the ball bearings are hidden. The numbers on the boxes are 6304.2RSR NR and 6205-C-2HRS NR. Have I bought the wrong ones or do I use them as-is? If i use them like this do i need to disassemble them somehow to lubricate them?

Much obliged for all the help so far - pints for all involved at the next meeting

Sorry, those bearings need to be 'open' so that they're constantly subjected to splash lubrication.
If you asked for 6205NR & 6304NR, they've sent you the wrong ones, however it may be possible to lever off the rubber seals/covers to convert them to 'open' type.

The various types are shown here...
http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/advanc ... tAodVioAag

Replacement of the differential bearings means you've got to start again with the shims for the crownwheel.
Luckily, that's fairly straightforward, although you might be asking Sean for the 'loan' of some shims...

Ken.
p.s. Re tightening that nut on the input shaft, an open-ended/ring/ good quality adjustable spanner will do the job. Make a locking device out of an old clutch disc centre and a length of dexion or angle iron, fit the shaft horizonatally in a vice, use the locking setup against the side of the bench and lean on the spanner hard.
Loctite is a useful addition, once again...

I figured Sean might be getting a visit somewhere along the lines of this foolish venture, but to be honest he probably did too. At least it'll give him another chance to point and laugh at my decrepit van... I don't have an old clutch disc, sadly, but I assume Mr Lyon will have something suitable that I can barter a packet of digestives and a flask of extra strong coffee at the next 24hr for the use of

About the bearings - yeah, I did just ask for what you told me to - must have been a mix-up. They're only in the next town over so I'll just head there tomorrow and get them to swap them.

The difference between sealed and open bearing prices is marginal, and it is easy to remove the sealings. If you want, it isn't necessary, according to what our local SKF -supplier said about them...

In modern car gearboxes, they use bearings with these sealings, because the oil "dries" when stopped hot, and bearings runs dry some time when start moving. And he recommended to use sealed bearings especially at upper shaft on 2CV transmission with these 2CV:s what aren't at daily use, from same reason why modern cars have...

The sealings aren't tight, so hot gearbox oil can get to the bearings, but cold and thick can't. That referring to our supplier. I'n not sure if there is some issue when leave these sealings with 2CV, but I have made some testings in one gearbox but they have installed only some time ago so there isn't yet any long term testing to refer...



My opinion is, you can leave the seals on, and I should leave them if that gearbox isn't on daily drive car. If you hesitate, it is easy to take them away...

This gearbox will be going in my daily driver so I think I will go without seals, but my folks have asked if I can do the same job on their 'holidays and weekends' mehari at some point, so I may try sealed bearing go on that and see how it goes.

Edit: just popped off the covers - no idea how easy it was Should I be cleaning the grease out of the bearing before installing it or will it mix with the oil okay?

I had a free hour earlier, so i decided to have a bash at Sean's recipe for cleaning up crankcases/gearboxes. It pretty much involves taking a manky bit of metal (I tried this out on the clutch bellhousing):



Give it a good ol' dose of degreaser/brake cleaner or some such to loosen up the crud, then spray with Dr Magic oven cleaner.



Leave to work for a bit (I decided on 20 minutes) then scrub off with plenty of warm water. Spray liberally with WD-40 afterwards to get rid of any moisture and neutralize any nasties left over from the oven cleaner.





Came up a treat! If you want to get really anal, you can get a tiny brass detailing brush and go to town on all the little nooks and crevices.

might be a bit nippy on the ole poop shute especially with a wire brush

Are you one of those weirdos that uses paper made from skinned puppies?

Martin,
got to wonder how many 2CV gearboxes Jasu's bearing supplier fellow has rebuilt?
Fwiw, I've been stripping these gearboxes and putting them back together for about 25 years now and wouldn't dream of fitting shielded bearings on the input shaft and mainshaft.

Citroen did use shielded bearings on these gearboxes, but the pair of 6205s are _outboard_ of the oil seals on the output shafts and the grease between the seals is there 'for life'.

p.s. I'd recommend cleaning the grease out of those bearings prior to installing them.

Sorry, can't say. Should I go and ask..?

How many here is rebuilded any 2CV gearboxes? A few more has even opened them. It is not a magic box, only some gears, bearings, shafts etc.

I just told what I heard, from bearing supplier, and I have no reason to not believe him. Also, have opened couple of gearboxes from this century, and they had sealed bearings, as the supplier said. Why they had used, even what is said about prices, there isn't big difference, but thinking how many cars is manufactured the price goes "a little bit bigger".

Again, there is opinions, and is that what is asked for? Also, it is nice to even try to rationalize the opinion, no only say "do right that" or "don't do it", please.