does volvo sp-a u-joint replacement screw up bearing tension?

[fishndad]

I've been looking through the threads. It seems the u-joint on an SP-A requires pulling the yoke, it seems there isn't clearance to get the inside caps past the bearing box. Last time I worked on an upper gear box for bearing replacement, I recall having to replace a crush ring and shim properly as part of the bearing pretension. If I'm just popping out the yoke so I can do the joints and then bolting back in the same one, do I have to mess with any of that this time? Or can I just leave the bearing box assembled and count on the tension still being ok? Seems like I might be counting on a seal being ok here too, but I can't remember, didn't take pictures the last time, and the exploded drawings in the manual don't paint a complete picture in my mind. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: does volvo sp-a u-joint replacement screw up bearing tension?

The A transmission is the first to use a crush sleeve (aka pre-tension sleeve) for rolling torque value control.
It's recommended that the crush sleeve be replaced each time that the male yoke is removed from the bearing box.
The OEM work shop manual will/should give you a rolling torque value for "new" and "pre-run" bearings.

If you'll take a rolling torque value measurement before pulling this down, and if the value now is somewhat under the specs, you may be able to create the same rolling torque value by bringing everything back together.
If you see a rolling torque value that is on the low side, bring it up slightly, but under "new" bearing specs.

FYI, while you have this apart, push the main drive gear out and look at the 31307 bearing race. This will give you an idea of the bearing condition.
If either bearing is going to show signs of wear, it will be this one. Good luck.

 

[fishndad]

Re: does volvo sp-a u-joint replacement screw up bearing tension?

Thanks jerryjerry05. Makes sense if I'm going to open it up at at all that I should take a peek at that bearing. Although I kind of wish they would have had put a cutout in the casting so you could press out and in u-joints without cracking open the case. Then again, I imagine some people would beat them out and screw it all up anyways, so perhaps forcing this dis-assembly is the better thing anyways.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: does volvo sp-a u-joint replacement screw up bearing tension?

Gonna add this too, just in case??? The other issue that comes up occasionally, is confusion between spring scale pull (for the BB rolling torque value), -vs- center rotational via inch pounds used for the rolling torque value.
Somewhere during or after the introduction of the "A" transmission, Volvo Penta changed the means from spring scale to inch pounds torque.
Some try to use the inch pounds value for the spring scale method, or visa-versa.
The two means do not cross over.