bearing retainer

[jgmcash]

Hello everyone. This is my first post and here's my story. I got a 97 ranger 4x4 with the 4.0 and the m50d 5 speed. A week ago, I was replacing my clutch when I discovered that my pilot bearing had disintegrated and ruined the bearing surface on the pilot shaft. So, I tore the transmission down according to Alland's instructions and discovered the middle bearing was scarred bad because of excessive mainshaft endplay. My question is about the rear bearing retainer. How do I tell if it needs replaced? There is a step in the bore that looks like it was machined in there. Is the step normal. Does anyone Know what the depth of the bore is supposed to be?

 

[AllanD]

There isn't supposed to be a step in the rear bearing retainer,
but there always is.

Someone was offering a STEEL replacement several years ago,
but I lost the contact information for him atleast six or seven
major computer crashes ago...

AD