Truck snapped the input shaft about 3 months ago and I replaced it with another stock one which broke about 6 weeks later. Now about to install a SB 1 3/8. Just going to button it up and I grabbed on the shaft to see how much play there is in the shaft and it seems like there is a lot. I have the top with the stick off it right now and the sleeve that goes over the shaft off. Should there be much play? Was thinking maybe the bearing at the other end of the shaft is toast. It moves about 1/4".

Thanks for the help guys

 

I'd say a bearing may be bad or may not be fully seated try seating the bearing first if that doesn't work buy a new one

 

Seating which bearing? The new one in the kit on the front of the trans or the one in the back? Right now I don't have the housing over the input shaft so that bearing is just sitting there and definitely not seated since I haven't put that piece on yet. I am wondering if the bearing in the rear is my problem.

I measured the play just now and it has about 1/8 up, 1/8 one side and 3/16 the other side all from center/resting of the input shaft.

 

this is definately not normal, i shredded my NV4500 to fix the 5th gear nut and my tranny had near to none play !

 

Was your top cover on and the sleeve over the input shaft? Right now both of mine are off. But it still seems like too much play.

Guess I might pull off the back half to expose 5th gear and see if I can see movement back there by the bearing if its possible to see it without removing a bunch more stuff.

 

All tapered roller bearings will have play in them until you seat them and tighten the shaft up in this case with the sleeve and top cover. Do yourself a favor and put the sleeve and cover back on and see what it feels like hell leave the top cover off and just put the sleeve on and bolt it down