I'm new here & I'm building an NG3 transaxle (help!)

[NG3]

Hi everybody,

As introduction, I thought I'd give my history with Renault cars:

Back in the late '50s or early '60s, my dad bought a Renault Dauphine. He took Mom to the opening of the Playboy club in New Orleans and apparently had a little too much fun and on the way home, rolled the Dauphine into a ball. Thankfully, both my parents survived!

More recently, I've had two Lotus Europas with their Renault transaxles. I replaced the 365 in my current Europa with an NG3.

That's about my entire history with Renaults, so I hope you'll be gentile if I misunderstand something.

At the moment, I'm rebuilding my NG3. Its suffix is 000 which according to the copy of the workshop manual I have means it came out of a Fuego. This is the first time I've attempted to rebuild a transmission or transaxle so even more understanding would be appreciated!

I've sourced all but two of the bearings at 123Bearing.com. The two they can't help me with are the two roller bearings at the ring & pinion end of the primary and secondary shafts. If someone could help me find them, I'd really appreciate it!

I also have a couple of questions about putting it all back together when that time arrives.

1. My manual said I must replace the nut on the primary shaft, the speedo worm nut, the reverse lever bolt, and some diff parts. Since I'm not planning on taking the diff apart, I don't think I need to replace them. Also, I am not planning on taking the reverse lever off so I'm not planning on replacing the reverse lever bolt. The speedo worm gear shredded itself a few years ago and I cut the nylon gear off of it (I replaced the speedo with a GPS driven unit), do I still have to replace both those nuts? Suggestions? Comments?

2. I have ordered new circlips from 123Bearing.com to replace the snap rings on the secondary shaft. They are 1.5mm thick but the original snap rings are 2mm thick. Is that going to be a problem?

3. My manual said I needed to get Molykote grease for the sunwheel and clutch shaft splines. When I read that, I assumed that "sunwheel" was French speak for "ring gear" but I see now that it refers to a gear in the diff. Since I don't plan on taking the diff apart, and I would think that a coating of moly grease on the clutch shaft splines would work just as well so it seems like I got a tube of Molykote for nothing. Comments?

4. After typing that previous point, I am left to wonder if there is any special care I should take when I clean the diff. For example, should I ensure I don't get solvent inside the diff?

That's all I can think of for now. Thanks in advance for any and all help you can give!

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

Welcome to TurboRenault @NG3

 

[NG3]

Thanks, Big Steve!

 

[Steve Swan]

HI. Nothings available from the list of bits you need to change, bearings are odd as there is no inner track on NG boxes the rollers run direct on the shaft, probably a cost cutting exercise. Use loctite on the speedo nut on the mainshaft and the snap rings will probably have to be re-used as they precisely locate the hubs on the shaft.
These boxes are easier to strip and build compared to the 3 number series, but that was when the parts were available, which they are not now, which makes them less serviceable than the early stuff. For what it's worth your 365 is a better thing than the NG3 , not as good as a late Renault 365 (74-76) but pretty good.
NG boxes work better with multigrade oils as the synchros are weaker than 3 number series with lighter hubs . If you are in the US you should be able to get Lucas oil products 75/140 EP oil. this is what I usually recommend to people. Don't get the thicker version 85-140 or you'll never get a gear when cold.
The gears want a light oil, but the CWP needs a high EP oil, it's the eternal transaxle problem .

 

[NG3]

HI. Nothings available from the list of bits you need to change, bearings are odd as there is no inner track on NG boxes the rollers run direct on the shaft, probably a cost cutting exercise. Use loctite on the speedo nut on the mainshaft and the snap rings will probably have to be re-used as they precisely locate the hubs on the shaft.
These boxes are easier to strip and build compared to the 3 number series, but that was when the parts were available, which they are not now, which makes them less serviceable than the early stuff. For what it's worth your 365 is a better thing than the NG3 , not as good as a late Renault 365 (74-76) but pretty good.
NG boxes work better with multigrade oils as the synchros are weaker than 3 number series with lighter hubs . If you are in the US you should be able to get Lucas oil products 75/140 EP oil. this is what I usually recommend to people. Don't get the thicker version 85-140 or you'll never get a gear when cold.
The gears want a light oil, but the CWP needs a high EP oil, it's the eternal transaxle problem .

Thanks for the great information, Steve!
I've sourced all the bearings except those you mentioned - with the inner race machined in the shafts. I hope I can find replacements but I won't feel to bad about reusing them. I also don't feel bad about reusing the snap rings and roll pins. I know roll pins are simple generic pieces but I just don't want to spend $30 on a box of 300 roll pins only to ever need two of them (yes, I'm in the US)! If I don't find a replacement for the one on the primary shaft, I may use some safety wire on it to make double dog sure it doesn't back out. I can't imagine how a snap ring could come off!

I've had good luck using 75W90NS Red Line oil in it before so I expect I'll say with that.

 

[Steve Swan]

Just remembered..
Here is Renault Bearings Lookup tables
If you go through the pages checking the pictures against the style of bearing you are after you will be able to check the actual sizes and get the various Renault part no's and more importantly the manufacturers bearing numbers it might help you track down your elusive bearings.

 

[NG3]

Just remembered..
Here is Renault Bearings Lookup tables
If you go through the pages checking the pictures against the style of bearing you are after you will be able to check the actual sizes and get the various Renault part no's and more importantly the manufacturers bearing numbers it might help you track down your elusive bearings.

Sorry I didn't see this till now, Steve. Thanks for the update! I am in conversation with a Renault/Lotus guy in Quebec (good guy but sometimes hard for me to understand) who thinks he can get those bearings. I haven't looked closely at the table you posted so if it points me to a part number, I'll try that.

I appreciate your help!

 

[Steve Swan]

It will show you the bearing number which is what a bearing supplier works from car part no's are no use outside Renault

 

[NG3]

Thanks again Steve. As it turns out, I have all the bearings except for the Renault specific ones without inner races. From what I can understand from that table, they only address "normal" bearings with inner races. Did I miss something?

I've been able to get all the other bearings by now from Renault16Shop.com and 123Bearing.com. In case anyone needs bearings in the future, they are both great to deal with. Renault16Shop.com is a much smaller operation so the service is more personal but I have absolutely no complaints about 123Bearing.com.