I recently pulled my trans to replace the input bearing. I just put it back in but can not get neutral to engage. I can manipulate the shift rod through the gears/neutral, but the output won't spin(without the clutch or the transfer case in neutral). I had the top cover off maybe I didn't get it on right?
Any help is appreciated, its my daily driver and not having a car sucks.

1983 4x4 L52

 

What do you mean neutral won't engage? The output shouldn't spin in neutral. I've had my t-case apart but not my transmission, so I don't know if I'll be much help...not sure what you have to take apart to replace the input bearing.

 

so you can't take it out of gear? I'm confused. Did you take the stick out to remove it? From what you sound like you're trying to describe, I'd say take the stick back out and double check it

 

shouldn't the output shaft spin free in neutral?(no drivelines installed)

I don't think its a problem with the shifter, as I can operate the shift rod without it and can feel the gears/gate.

 

from the info i gathered sounds like a clutch problem. just start it in gear and rev match the rest of the gears

 

the clutch seems to engage/disengage(haven't checked it running). Neutral just doesn't engage.

I talked to a trans guy and he said I probably didn't get the shift forks lined up when I put the top cover on. Guess I'll pull it back out and hopefully figure it out...Can't find any useful info on the L52 anywhere.

 

i dont get it...im confused. does that mean when you pull the stick out of gear into nutreal its still in gear? what happens for example, if your stick is in nuetral with the clutch out?

 

the output shaft should spin in neutral, thats one of the ways to check the bearing, by putting it in nutral and listining to it

 

essentially, yes. I have the trans out again, but am not really figuring anything out. it feels the same in gear as in neutral.

 

figured it out. while fighting the bearing out, I must have closed the gap between fourth and the sychro, locking the input/output. opened it back up and it seems fine now, now just to get it back in again.

 

transmission R&R...good times.
Glad you got it figured out. Next time take pics, we always like to see pics uploaded (a free service like photobucket is awesome)

 

I see what you're saying now, yeah the output should spin freely in neutral. Glad you figured it out! I have to pull my tranny soon because I guess the detent ball or spring for first gear broke somehow...a part that's probably $10, but on this particular transmission, you need to pull it out to get at it. Lame. I hate pulling trannies. Especially when I just did it a couple years ago.