Gearbox storage??

[toolsntat]

Need to store a gearbox(a/c 2.0ltr) and space is a premium so if the appropriate packer with shaft hole is used will it be ok standing on the bell housing end??

Andy

[Aidan]

IMHO it's not good practice to store them on their bellhousing unless they are going to be rebuilt or have been rebuilt, the reason being that any debris in the oil can be filtered by the input bearing (which is 1/3 of the way up the case internally) and remain in there so when you subsequntly drive it the input bearing is full of crud and pretty quickly picks up and damages the input shaft. It's a small needle bearing and the input shaft is rotating at engine revs.
If they are being rebuilt by me I ALWAYS replace the input bearing with new (£3.30) cos a mainshaft is £150-£250 alone and I've seen quite a few of these type failures and this is the reason I think.
Obviously a rebuilt box will have a scrupulously clean inside and components and assembled with fresh oil so no crud is in there to get stuck in the bearing, so short term storage like this is ok in that situation.

[toolsntat]

Aiden , thank you for that insight its nice to have your valued input with regards to gearbox`s etc.,

Will make up a cradle for it to sit as in situ .......

If you don`t mind another would it be as well to drain and renew the oil while its out of the vehicle ( 32000 miles if its the original box )....

[Aidan]

oh yes oil change is always good
£20 oil v. £500 + gearbox rebuild
no brainer really