336 Transaxle impossible to remove bearing?

[314159td]

Currently gutting a 336-20 transaxle from a S1, and it looks like every roller bearing is in the early stages of failure - one example attached, but they all look exactly the same so far. Reading the manual, they're trivial to inspect and replace, except the strange one at the pinion output end of the secondary shaft.
It seems like it doesn't have a cage, and there is this ominous note in the workshop manual:

"As the roller bearing inner track-ring is bonded to the shaft, this
bearing cannot be removed."

Not 100% sure what means. Renault 16 shop sells that bearing, and the secondary shaft without the bearing installed (paired with the differential gear). If that bearing is worn do I just have to get a new differential gear set just to replace it or...?
 

[jbcollier]

I replaced that bearing.  It's not easy but it is possible.  FIRST, make sure you have the correct replacement to hand.  I bought mine based on dimensions.

To remove the old inner race you are going to have to VERY CAREFULLY cut it off.  You do not have to cut it all the way, just 95% of the way.  I think I cut it in two opposite places -- been a while.  You then install the new inner race with the strongest locking compound: green, permanent, bearing mount.

[314159td]

Got it, that explains the verbiage in the manual.
I was almost going to give up on that bearing; the 3-4 synchro hub absolutely did not want to come off, but I eventually got it with a trip to work to modify a bearing puller and probably a third of a propane bottle. Thankfully the same puller worked for the 1-2 hub as well and I'm at the bearing now. Races look absolutely identical to the above pic.

Did you use a cutting wheel in a Dremel or something else? I was thinking of just turning the whole thing off as well, but I'd need to source much better lathe tool inserts and it'd take a while.   

[jbcollier]

Just a dremel.  It's very hard steel.  On a lathe you would have to use a grinding attachment.

[314159td]

"cannot be removed" 

Heated the inner race with a propane torch for about a minute and it came off with less effort than the synchro hubs. Didn't even need to modify the cheap Harbor Freight puller. Probably some variability depending on tolerances, but it seems like there's only retaining compound in a small 3/16" wide band so that should have been removable by design.

[BDA]

Excellent!!