I'm replacing the taper bearing in a customer's 97 JDM GSR S-80 transmission. I removed the old taper bearing and installed the ball bearing but the case will not close. The bearing is hitting the case. Does this new bearing need to be forced in? Is it usually difficult for others to install the case with this bearing installed?

It is not an NTN OEM replacement bearing as I usually use, but a national brand. I'm not sure if the 94-97 case accepts the ball bearing or is it only for the 98-2001 GSR/ITR transmission.


any help as to whether this is normal or not would be helpful. It doesn't seem like it but maybe someone else knows better.

 

You may need to give the case a slight tap when installing but nothing excessive.

Btw, there are 2 different enclosed ball bearings, offset (GS-R/ITR) and non-offset (B16A/LS) make sure you used the right type. Also make sure you shimmed the diff.

 

The ball bearing will fit any of the transmission cases correctly. This is provided its the correct bearing and has the right shim on the outside case. I have a hard time believing that national has the right bearing needed for the installation. Does it have the 1.5mm step on the inside? What shim are you using?

 

Haven't been able to get the case on to measure for the shim. I am just going to order ntn oem ball bearings and return this national bearing.

 

When using the GSR Ball bearings # 91005-P80-E31 you will need one shim in the top case. The 3 washer style spacers from the tapered bearings will not be reused. Every case is a little diferent so the shim comes in various sizes. The most common shim is 1.45mm OEM# 41454-PL3-B00. Start with this one as it will work 90% of the time but you will still need to check the clearance. The service manual calls for 0 - 0.1mm between the bearing and case with the cases closed on the diff. Basically you want to take all the slack up but not put pressure on the bearings. With the diff installed with the shim (no shafts) bolt the cases together and you should be able to spin the diff with your fingers but it should not move back and forth in the case.

Good luck with the install and feel free to post any questions.

 

I just replaced the same bearing with NTN and used that same 1.45mm shim on my personal GSR LSD transmission. This one was a bit confusing, since the national bearing was incorrect for the application.

Will be ordering NTN bearings in the morning and installing with new shims.

** national bearings are stupid expensive. the [wrong] bearing was 58 dollars. OEM NTN bearings are usually around 50 bucks for top and bottom diff bearings.

 

Can someone explain a little more about offset and non-offset bearings.

This may be my problem, I removed tapered bearings from a GSR diff and replaced it with ball bearings from an ls. I would need to stack around 3 standard shims to get the diff in spec so I stopped and have been researching.

Edit: https://honda-tech.com/forums/transmission-drivetrain-127/question-about-differential-bearings-2971617/

 

You will need our shim kit to use the LS/B16 Ball bearings or use the correct GSR/Type R Ball bearing. The difference between the two ball bearing styles will be: The GSR/Type R Ball bearing is 1.5 mm taller on the inner race vs. the LS/B16 Ball bearing. This will explain why it is taking you 3 shims to stack. I will PM you a price.