Mushroom Tail Bevel Gear

[alouellette]

Any tips on how to remove and replace the mushroom tail bevel gear?

I have some forward and aft movement in the gear.  Not sure if it is the bearing or the gear itself.  The movement stops in the forward direction when it flushes up against the tail box, and the aft movement stops when it fully against the tail bevel gear.

Is this normal movement, or should I replace?

 

[flyalan]

Are you saying the gear can move forward and touch the tail box or is it pushing against the bearing?
If it actually hits the tail box then I would say you need to pull it apart and check the rear bearing.  A small amount of play is needed/normal.  No much though.
To remove the gear you may need to apply some gentle heat to the tail box assemby.  This should expand the bearings enough to push out the gear.  An arbor press would help.
 This worked for me last week on a rebuild.
 
Cheers
Alan

[Mark Burberry]

Another method is to use an old torque tube to remove the gear. Cut an old torque tube in half and insert it into the gear... Simply knock it out that way on a hard surface. Works great.

Keep one in my box.

Mark

[flyalan]

Another method is to use an old torque tube to remove the gear. Cut an old torque tube in half and insert it into the gear... Simply knock it out that way on a hard surface. Works great.

Keep one in my box.

Mark

Good one Mark.  I definately have some of those lying around these days 
Cheers
Alan

[Mark Burberry]

Yeah, it works really well and you don't damage the gear that way.

Spare "broken" torque tubes... I know what you mean!

Mark

[alouellette]

Alan,

Hard to say if it hits the tail box, but I suspect that the forward movement "stopping" is when it comes to rest up against the bearing.

When I had the completed tail box assy sitting in my truck in the sun, it was fine.  When it cooled, it has that small play, forward and aft, about .5 to 1mm

[flyalan]

Sounds like you are fine. Again as long as it's not rubbing the tail box.
I haven't acutally checked mine to see actually how much play there is but there is a little.
I will look at mine tonight and let you know or maybe someone else will comment.
Ultaimately I think that unless you are having issues you are good to go.
Cheers
Alan