Hi,

Need some advice on the layshaft bearings and circlips on an A type gears gearbox rebuild please.
I've got a 1963 850 and getting motor and box fully recoed. I have posted before about a new laygear for the A type box and at that stage, none where available and so I was looking at either a B type box or going with a 4 speed synchro. While chasing up some good second hand units, I managed to get hold of a NOS laygear for the A type - part number 22A381.

Interestingly, the laygear in my box is a G40 which I've been told is actually out of a 1959 (approx) Morris.

The rest of my original box is in good condition so I thought I'd stick with the original box seeing as though I was lucky enough to find a laygear for it.

The issue I'm trying to sort out is in relation to the layshaft bearings (part no. 88G396) and the position of the circlips. On the G40, there are circlips on the inside of the bearings inside the laygear and these stop the layshaft bearings from going into the centre part of the laygear. There is also a circlip on the outside of the bearings to keep them inside the laygear.

In the new laygear 22A381, there are groves for the circlips both inside and outside of where the bearings (and spacer at one end) go. It looks like you need to use a total of 4 circlips (inside and outside at each end) to locate the bearings correctly. Without the circlips on the inside of the laygear, there is nothing to stop the bearings going into to centre of the laygear and not in the right position.

However, when the circlips are put in the inside groove, there isn't enough room on one end to fit the outer circlip and on the other end, there is excess room - the bearing is not held in position.

When I check the exploded diagrams on both minispares and somerford (both attached), they show the circlips are only on the outside and none are shown on the inside. That's for A type gears (non Copper) whereas the Cooper, hybrid and B type gears only have the circlips on the inside. Parts lists only show a total of 2 circlips required.

My question is "how are the bearings held in place without the inner circlip? What stops the bearing "floating" inside the laygear and sliding along the layshaft?" The layshaft is not stepped like the 4 synchro ones.

Given that fitting circlips on both ends of the bearings is not possible, do we just fit them on the outside?

What have you blokes done when doing up these early boxes?

Thanks Rocky

I notice no-one has replied to your question.
I cannot answer you question but a similar issue was in the UK mk1 forum recently, which may add some light to your problem if you are able to access this section of their website:

http://www.mk1-forum.net/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=26562

Just run the inner circlips. The newer bearings are wider I believe so the outer clip won't fit. The bearings wont go outwards as the trust washers will prevent that. I had a similar situation when I built an early sprite gearbox.

_________________
1963 Morris 850 Smoke Grey
1963 Morris 850 Shadow Blue
1965 Morris Mini Smooth Van
1966 Morris Mini Van
1969 Morris Mini Deluxe Resto
5/72 Clubman Gt

Thanks Bill. I can't access thread by the link and I've been trolling through the threads but haven't come across the relevant one yet. If it's not too much trouble, could you please let me know roughly what date the thread was and the heading?

Thanks Rocky

Thanks for the info Scoop. It's a bit hard trying to work out what to do when the old laygear isn't the same as the new one so can't compare the 2. Good to hear that you've had the same issue and worked it out ok with just using the inner circlips.

I see you have a couple of 1963's and I've sent you a PM with a few other questions I have. I'm new to the Mini world and have heaps to learn.

Cheers, Rocky

It was headed "3 Synchro Laygear Circlip Removal" in Technical Talk on Oct. 02,2019. One of the replies sounded knowledgeable.
Hope it helps.

Thanks Bill. I've registered now on that forum and awaiting login in order to access the technical pages. If you're not logged in, the tech pages aren't available and don't show on the screen.

Cheers, Rocky