Hi again everyone,

I'm a good way through the rebuild of my S2A gearbox (home mechanic, first attempt). The bell housing bearings are back in, and I've just pressed in the main bearing + housing. I've been following several YouTube channels and am also referencing the Land Rover Workshop manual for everything. The workshop manual is many moons old, so no doubt advice/guidance has moved on... which is where my questions come from. I've noticed that in one YouTube channel by local Kiwi guy Geoffrey Crocker (a must watch for any Land Rover enthusiast) that he diverts from a workshop guidance a little. Hoping you can help to clear up a few questions

Here is the specific video if you feel the need to watch -

Bearing grease - I've noticed that Geoffrey has grease in his bearings. I don't see any reference to grease in the manual and had assumed that the gearbox oil would be the primary lubricant. Do I need to pack the bearings with grease?

Retaining compound on main bearing in bearing housing (23:46) - Geoffrey uses Loctite retaining compound to secure the main bearing inside the bearing sleeve. The workshop manual specifies for newer versions of the housing that don't have a locator pin, to use Loctite to secure the bearing sleeve into the gearbox case... but I can't see anything about Loctite for the bearing in the sleeve. Has anyone else seen any updated guidance that suggests Loctiting the bearing inside the sleeve?

Compound on the main bearing oil seal (25:19)- Geoffrey uses some sort of compound on the outer rim of the oil seal for the main bearing (and the inner rim of the sleeve). I can't see anything in the manual that specifies this, but it does seem like a good idea. Anyone know what the compound might be, or have any advice around this?

Finally, and I think if I read ahead, I'll work this one out

Gasket installation - When installing gaskets, what do you prep them with? It looks like a light smearing of grease.

Thanks!

1 Pre greasing of bearings to ensure they are lubricated from the first turn. Perhaps not needed in a gearbox but no harm.
2 Paper/card gaskets grease/oil swells them a tad for good seal and good when you need to split the joint again as it comes apart and surfaces clean without much trouble.

And some main box bearings leak oil between the outer race and the casing. Or worse spin the outer in the casing, hence the bearing seating compound.

Standard bearing sealant from Loctite.

Wildefalcon said:

And some main box bearings leak oil between the outer race and the casing. Or worse spin the outer in the casing, hence the bearing seating compound.

Standard bearing sealant from Loctite.

Click to expand...

Cool - I'm going to pop the bearing out again and add in some Loctite. It can't really hurt...right? Thinking through this a little more, the bearing is quite a lose fit in the casing (once past the lip) and I wonder if it would be prone to oil seeping past.

I found this in another manual relating to jointing compound. I'm happy and know what needs to happen now. Thanks!

Frisol said:

Cool - I'm going to pop the bearing out again and add in some Loctite. It can't really hurt...right? Thinking through this a little more, the bearing is quite a lose fit in the casing (once past the lip) and I wonder if it would be prone to oil seeping past.

Click to expand...

That's exactly it. Seal the bearing outer.