Am asking this question for my husband: (you were all sooo helpful with my seat question, I'm hoping someone out there has an answer for him on this!) Have any of you ever torn open a 4 speed transmission? This is for our 1985 FXSB.
BH tore out the guts last weekend because he thought it was the clutch (replaced the clutch plates and the pilot bearing seems good). The noise continues
When he turns the transmission main shaft, it doesn't feel real smooth. When the clutch is engaged, there is a noise that sounds almost like it could be a bad bearing.
Any ideas??? About ready to take it to the dealer (but REALLY don't want to...not just $, but the pride of doing it yourself...asking for help so that might still happen!)
Thanks in advance!!!

 

4 speeds are a little more difficult than the 5 speeds as they require a little more finesse. Get a good manual, and when you take it apart lay out the pieces in the order/direction they come off of the shafts. You will need a press to replace the bearings. There are a few special tools you will need also. perhaps you could remove the trannyand bring just that to your local shop that is equiped to do the job.

 

What miacycles last said is best IMO.. THat tranny is no mans land if you've never dont it..

Take just the tranny in and have them replace the bearings and have them give it a good go over. That would give me a good bit of piece of mind..

 

Thank you miacycles and RFG! BH thanks you too...you both helped him make up his mind to take the tranny out and take it to a local shop. He's been looking at the manual, but it's too vague. Along with the cost of the specialized tools, it just makes sense to pay someone else to do this. Maybe we can be back on the road by next weekend!
Have I mentioned lately what an awesome group of people the EVO dudes are?! Well, you are. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

Have I mentioned lately what an awesome group of people the EVO dudes are?! Well, you are. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

We are "Evo, Wicked, Mean and Nasty" !!!!!! LOL

 

I've done several 4 speeds and they are not magical mystery. (A lot easier than most car trannys.) But you do need some special tools to press the bushings in and also a good piloted reamer. If you don't have the tools or the abilty to make them, you are better off taking it to someone who does. Cost will be about the same. Make sure you REPLACE the springs and dogs in the shifter top. Doesn't matter if they look good or not. REPLACE them.