synthane gaskets at bell housing

[whiskeyRichard]

I didn't realize I needed these until after I had done all my bellows and reinstalled the bell housing. My drive did not have them on it when I disassembled it.

I got them and was able to slide one in, but there is no way in hell that other one is going to go in without pulling the bell housing out and likely ruining my bellows job. I am not sure if I could face that right now.... LOL.

I read in another older thread that there would be all sort of problems without these in place, but didn't specify what they were. The bell housing rotates nice and smoothly and freely in the gimbal ring even after being torqued down and there is a grease nipple that appears to allow me to grease the bell housing hinge area.

Can I get by with only having one of these on one side for a while? I'd like to get this thing wet.

Thanks,
wR

 

[achris]

Yeah, nah.... You need them in both sides.Without them, you get ali to ali contact, and lots of wear really quickly, and with only one, you get a lot of wear on the side without, and your lateral coupler alignment is slightly off....

Chris.......

 

[whiskeyRichard]

Yeah, I see that.

Any guidance on installing those devils?

i was able to work the one in, but the remaining side is very tight.

should I glue them to the bell housing and then grease the other side?

Thanks,
wR

 

[achris]

You might try attempting (gently) to get a thin pry bar in and open the gap enjoy to get the other in.

 

[whiskeyRichard]

yup, that worked, a little bit of grease and a little leverage and that thing practically jumped in there.

Thanks for the advice. I looked the price of a new gimbal ring and never would have pried on cast aluminum like that, but it worked.

Thanks again,
wR