Gearchange shaft movement + oil seal replacement

[JL]

I'm about to replace the gearchange shaft oil seal as it's been weeping for a while, but there is about 1.5mm of end-play in the actual shaft which I am curious about. I have previously installed a small bearing on the shaft at the hole where it passes through the alternator cover, as there was some slop and I discovered that there was no bearing or bush installed as shown in the parts manual, which must have been removed by the previous owner and would perhaps explain why the seal failed in the first place. However, I am wondering if this end-play is a result of a worn part of the gearchange shaft on the clutch side. I don't want to go through the whole process of replacing the seal only for it to start weeping again.

If anyone has done this before, I would love to hear from you as I don't want to pull everything apart and then have to wait for parts on order! (Which I think I might end up having to do after pulling off the clutch to inspect the shift arm!)

[Smithers]

Yep, when you removed the alternator cover there will be slop in the shaft and with out the bearing installed in the alternator cover (to support the shaft and centralise it throught the seal ), the seal will leak. There will be no wear on the clutch side of the assembly. The bearing in the alternator housing does the shaft location. Once you have installed a new seal and placed a new needle roller assembly in the alternator case the oil seepage will stop. Good luck.

[JL]

Thanks for the input Smithers, haven't got around to doing it yet as I have bigger problems to sort though!