R380 input shaft play

fishEH

Well-known member
Jan 26, 2009
6,927
201
Lake Villa, IL
Got a used(supposed to be good) R380 trans. There seems to be play at the input shaft. I've never had an R380 before and have no idea if this is just normal, or something I need to address?

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/urgPFBoHu-0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
  • Like
Reactions: discostew

Leadvagas

Well-known member
Jun 10, 2010
232
2
Leadville CO
Fish, I would pull the front bearing retainer, the input shaft should pull out at that point. The main shaft rides in the recess of the input shaft. I am betting that the front end of the main shaft is junk. If it ran that way for any length of time there are going to be damaged gears. The R380 runs ATF and has an internal oil pump, so I wold run a trans cooler.
 

Shiftonthefly1

Well-known member
Aug 11, 2014
433
14
Las Vegas
I have slop in mine as well. I can't tell what it is yet. I haven't pulled it apart. I doubt that much movement is ok. The price we pay for being one of the cool kids with a 5spd.
 

fishEH

Well-known member
Jan 26, 2009
6,927
201
Lake Villa, IL
Your opinion ...is cold sir...as cold as ice.
Ha!! Didn't even realize I recorded this vid with the music on. And yes the diagnosis is very cold. :banghead:

I have slop in mine as well. I can't tell what it is yet. I haven't pulled it apart. I doubt that much movement is ok. The price we pay for being one of the cool kids with a 5spd.
I bought this "good" transmission to replace the one in my '94 that doesn't have 4th gear and sounds like ass. Guess I gotta tear into this one and see what's what. Really don't want to drop $1800 on a rebuilt Ashcroft R380 for a $1000 truck.

Truck in question.
 

fishEH

Well-known member
Jan 26, 2009
6,927
201
Lake Villa, IL
Ok, so I'm trying to dig into this thing to see what the deal is.
I've got all the bolts out securing the two casing to the center plate. Forgive my terminology, I'm sure its all wrong.
Anyway, how can I split the case where the chisel is, so the circled part comes off? I don't have to pull the silver case on the right first do I? I read through the whole RAVE R380 rebuild manual and it completely skips over or is ridiculously vague on that part.
 

fishEH

Well-known member
Jan 26, 2009
6,927
201
Lake Villa, IL
Fish, have you checked out this vid?

https://youtu.be/j48MjyzTwd4

I actually watched that last night. He removes the extension housing(silver) first, then removes the gearcase housing(black). Right about the 4 minute mark.
What I don't get is WHY they have to be removed in that order? It doesn't appear that anything would be preventing the gearcase housing from coming off prior to the extention housing coming off.
Am I missing something or do I just need a bigger hammer?
 

WaltNYC

Well-known member
Mar 3, 2010
707
135
NYC
Yeah, I'm not sure why the front housing wouldn't come off. PB Blaster and a hammer I guess.
 

Leadvagas

Well-known member
Jun 10, 2010
232
2
Leadville CO
Ha!! Didn't even realize I recorded this vid with the music on. And yes the diagnosis is very cold. :banghead:


I bought this "good" transmission to replace the one in my '94 that doesn't have 4th gear and sounds like ass. Guess I gotta tear into this one and see what's what. Really don't want to drop $1800 on a rebuilt Ashcroft R380 for a $1000 truck.

Truck in question.

That, my good man is the essence of being a Disco owner!
 

Leadvagas

Well-known member
Jun 10, 2010
232
2
Leadville CO
Hey Fish, I just watched the video, it has been about three years since I was into an R380 so I could use the refresher. In the first minute or two they show a small ring that is pressed on the rear of the main shaft. The extension housing will not come off unless you pull that ring, I used a small bearing slitter and a beam style puller. Also the shift tower has to be pretty much dismantled to get that stuff clear. I think you main problem is under the front cover, the top tapered bearing.
 

fishEH

Well-known member
Jan 26, 2009
6,927
201
Lake Villa, IL
Im wondering how this turned out?
Hmmm, good question! I think I was able to open it up and shimmed something, but I honestly can't recall. The trans was still kinda janky. 2nd takes "the touch" to get into cleanly without a grind. It also kinda rattles at idle, when not in gear.
I'm most likely going to convert it to Auto. Or buy an Ashcroft R380...