From: Bruce White ([email protected])
Date: 10 Feb 2001
Time: 02:20:32
Remote Name: 129.96.230.236
Hi Barry,
It was my understanding that the thrust bearing (race) makes constant contact in the 3-speed boxes only? But in the 4-speed types definitely only work when the clutch is depressed. If you have a 4-speed version and you think it is in constant contact, I would suggest the “toggle” levers are misadjusted. The way I adjusted mine was to put a straight bar across the front gearbox flange and measure to the “toggle” arm bit that normally makes contact with the thrust bearing. I set mine to 4mm according to my notes, I guess I read a figure like this somewhere but anyway it works fine. I spent a lot of time welding up (mig) the worn areas on the back plate and milling them back to the correct depth. The arms themselves also needed work and I cut off the little round bits on the finger ends that normally contact the bearing and welded some nice new suitable round rod in there place. The other obvious thing is make all the arms equal in every possible way – including the 4mm final setup as described above.
The last price I had for this bearing was $200 (Australian $) from the guys in Victoria. It’s 1XLT2-3/8 and their part number was #380. Sounds like it would be cheaper for you to joint their club and buy one! I think someone emailed me a few months ago about a special price on bearings but I believe this was only for 3-speed models?
It will be interesting to hear from those longer term A7 owners as to their suggestions and measurements.
Bruce