TheSamba.com :: View topic - The mysterious rear bearing cover for 56 oval trannys

Sat Dec 09, 2006 8:47 pm

I've learned a lot the past few weeks as I have been working on putting the bearings and seals back in a 1956 tranny. What I have learned is that there are two different bearing cover depths for a 56. The following pictures should help the rest of you to decipher what you have and get the right ones.

This is a SHALLOW version. Depending on the depth of your bearing castings on the ends of your axle tubes you may need this one or you may need the DEEP one. This measures .297" deep at the bearing seat.

This is the DEEP version. It measures .379" deep at the bearing seat.

The same covers, but different measurements. Both versions have the same overall total thickness (or height when sitting flat on a table):

SHALLOW - This measures .430" deep

DEEP - This measures .526" deep and while you can see the other cover on the right and it looks a bit taller, it really isn't.

When the bearing is placed into the cover the difference is a bit more obvious.

SHALLOW - The bearing protrudes .492" when it is fully seated in the cover.

DEEP - The bearing protrudes .412" when it is fully seated in the cover.

The bearing retainer on my axle tube needed the DEEP bearing cover. The bearing seat depth of my retainer (bearing casting) was .266" deep

I'm not sure if this is an early or late peculiarity I suppose it's possible that it is also the case for other years as well. In any event, now that i have the proper matched "set" of bearing retainers and bearing covers, everything fits together great, torqued down properly and we have no leaks.

I hope this helps some one else. Good luck!

Sun Dec 10, 2006 2:40 am

Nice work!

I'm currently undertaing this work on my 1957 oval. As I intend to use the original bearing covers, I should have a matched set. However, if after inspection of the parts there is wear sufficient to make replacements necessary, I now know that there are at least 2 versions.
You might just save someone a whole lot of heartache with this information. Great pics too! :D

Sat Oct 01, 2011 2:36 pm

Pardon the confusion, but I see responses and drawings indicating the need for gaskets and without gaskets for a 57. Are there any other posts that clearly state what needs to be done. I am attempting to not cause myself aggravation and more money.

Thanks,
Rusty
[email protected]

Sat Oct 01, 2011 6:19 pm

nice work on the pics
i had no idea when i put my car together about different cap!!
i was using a later trans and for the life of me i could not get them to "seat"
lol turns out different caps different depths as your pics show
nice work

Sat Oct 01, 2011 7:27 pm

Devil Dog 66 wrote: Pardon the confusion, but I see responses and drawings indicating the need for gaskets and without gaskets for a 57.
Technically, you can ignore the paper gaskets for the split case design, but you won't hurt anything by putting them on. The paper gaskets came into play when VW changed to the weep hole which goes through the backing plate. Other than that, you need to use both of the O-rings and you're good to go.