Interesting that there's a ridge on the broken lay gear teeth that didn't break... leads me to believe they were worn, possibly cracked, prior to giving up the ghost, and also leads to believe those thrust washers were largely the cause.

In my cast, the lay gear bearings were completely gone, the gear had been metal on metal with the shaft, wearing both down.

Abuse, indeed.

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-Matt I ♥ my ♂