[timh30]

The sleeve came off really easily with a little levering from a crow bar (after angle grinding a slot). I've split open and resealed the bevel gear - everything seemed in good order. Couldn't get Hylomar sealant, but got an equivalent one. Interestingly there was no paper gasket or sealant at all bettween the two halves of the bevel gear, so they were relying soley on a perfect mating of the machined surfaces.

One question though - did you put the special spline grease on both the gearbox and bevel gear splines (i.e both sides of the splined collar)? I ask because the gearbox side does sit in the transmission fluid?

Thanks,
Tim.