Loose trans mainshaft

If you're lucky, it's a worn bearing in the tail shaft. Remove the tailshaft and have a new bearing pressed in. However, there's probably some small amount of wear on the output shaft as well. Unless you really like that car, it's in great shape otherwise, and you plan on keeping it another 120K, I wouldn't replace the entire trans.

Replacing the bearing will be good for a while, but eventually you'll be right back where you started. How long? Good question. About the time it happens again, a lot of other stuff will be worn out as well.

While the trans is out, be sure and replace the clutch set.

Do you mean the clutch packs in the trans? This is an automatic transmission. Is the bearing something I can do myself?

Carl

I'm sorry, I was thinking a manual. You clearly stated AOD, but I wasn't paying attention, I guess. Sorry for the confusion. But the general concept is the same. Remove the tail shaft housing and replace the bearing. It can probably be done with the trans still in the car. Makes a huge mess, though. Trans fluid is worse than beach sand - it gets everywhere.

What is the name of the bearing? Do you have an exploded view?

Carl

I don't have a book with me. But I think it's just called an output shaft bearing or bushing. It's not a roller bearing.

If you go here

So I should need to just pull my driveshaft, pull the 6 bolts that hold the tail shaft housing on, and press out the old bearing and press a new one in?

How do I press the bearing?

Carl

Also, that is an AOD, mine is an AODE. Any difference?

Carl

Some movement in the output shaft is normal... this is why there is a bushing in the tailshaft housing. If this bushing was worn, I would expect a full blown, piss in the driveway leak at the rear seal. In 30 some years, I haven't replaced more than a handful of these bushings and most of these were on New Process transfer cases...

I'd be looking around a little more before I sank any money into this train of thought....