GS087 – CEN STEEL SPUR GEAR – 43T

CEN GS087 STEEL SPUR GEAR – 43T

The CEN Racing GS087 Steel Spur Gear is a 43-tooth steel transmission gear used in compatible CEN driveline assemblies. CEN identifies GS087 specifically as the 43T steel spur gear, and historical CEN/Nemesis parts documentation lists the same GS087 designation for this component.

VERIFIED PRODUCT DATA

• Manufacturer: CEN Racing
• Part Number: GS087
• Component Type: Steel Spur Gear
• Tooth Count: 43T
• Material: Steel
• Application: Compatible CEN transmission/driveline assemblies using GS087

GEAR MESH MATTERS

A steel spur gear is durable, but durability still depends heavily on correct gear mesh. A mesh that is too tight increases friction, heat and bearing load; a mesh that is too loose concentrates load near the tips of the teeth and can produce chatter, accelerated wear or tooth damage.

After installation, rotate the drivetrain by hand through a full revolution. The gear should turn smoothly without tight spots, binding or an obvious repeating high point. If mesh varies around the circumference, inspect shaft runout, bearing play, hub seating and mating-gear condition before operating the vehicle.

43T TOOTH COUNT

GS087 is the 43-tooth version. Tooth count is part of the transmission ratio, so substituting a different tooth count can change overall gearing, component engagement and compatibility. CEN also catalogs GS088 as a separate 39T steel spur gear; the two should not be assumed interchangeable simply because they are visually similar.

WEAR PATTERN DIAGNOSIS

• Polished wear centered across the tooth face: generally indicates the mating gears are sharing load across the intended contact area.
• Wear concentrated at the tooth tips: may indicate excessive backlash or insufficient engagement.
• Heavy scoring or discoloration: can indicate contamination, poor lubrication where applicable, excessive friction or misalignment.
• Repeated damage in one section: may point to eccentric mounting, shaft runout or a damaged mating gear.
• Sharp burrs or chipped edges: warrant inspection of the complete gear train before continued use.

MATING-GEAR INSPECTION

Do not install a new GS087 against a visibly damaged mating gear and expect the new part to correct the problem. A worn or chipped pinion/mating gear can quickly imprint its damaged contact pattern into a fresh spur gear. Inspect both gears, shafts, bearings and hubs as a system.

INSTALLATION CHECKLIST

• Confirm the transmission calls for CEN GS087 / 43T before installation.
• Inspect the mating gear for chipped, hooked or heavily worn teeth.
• Check shaft and bearing play before setting mesh.
• Seat the spur gear fully and squarely on its intended hub/interface.
• Set backlash so the gears rotate freely without excessive looseness.
• Rotate the drivetrain through a complete revolution and check for tight spots.
• Confirm all retaining hardware is secure before powering the vehicle.
• Re-inspect mesh and tooth contact after the first operating session.

NOISE AS A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL

A sudden increase in transmission noise after service is useful information. A high-pitched whine can indicate overly tight mesh; clicking or rhythmic knocking can indicate a damaged tooth, eccentric rotation or excessive backlash. Stop and inspect before continued running turns a setup problem into gear or bearing damage.

LUBRICATION & CLEANLINESS

Use the lubrication practice specified for the transmission in which GS087 is installed. Avoid packing an exposed gear with grease simply because the gear is steel: exposed grease can trap abrasive dust and grit. In enclosed gearboxes, lubricant type and quantity should match the transmission design. Cleanliness and correct mesh are more important than excessive lubricant.

WHAT CEN DOES NOT PUBLISH

CEN's current GS087 product listing confirms steel construction and 43 teeth, but does not publish gear pitch/module, outside diameter, face width, bore dimensions, pressure angle or a universal vehicle-fitment list. GASHEAD RC does not invent those specifications. Match by the exact GS087 part number and the transmission's parts documentation.

GASHEAD RC NOTE

With steel gears, failures are often blamed on the gear itself when the root cause is actually mesh, shaft alignment, bearing play or a damaged mating component. Install GS087 as part of a complete driveline inspection, not as an isolated swap.