1939 9A gearbox problem

[Spinneyhill]

25 years ago I overhauled and installed a 1939 o/d gearbox for my L5. I remember great confusion about a couple of items because the parts books and shop manual didn't make things very clear. I did something wrong - probably omitted a snap ring? Following is the diagram from the 1939 9A Parts List.

Snap ring E14-9 is said to be p.n. 188281 and to be "main shaft front bearing". Where does it go?

 

There is no restraint shown on 2nd gear and its synchroniser parts (E15-21, E15-27, E15-24 etc. ). That is, it can move forward on the main shaft. So what keeps it on?

 

The previous gearbox (7A, 8A) had a thick thrust washer that was fitted on the splines in the shaft, then turned one spline and locked in place by a spring loaded poppet.

 

The gearbox drove very nicely and ran very cool, but gently popped out of 2nd gear on over-run (foot off throttle). So I am wondering if E14-9 actually fits in one of those grooves in the main shaft to keep 2nd gear on?

Edited March 27, 2017 by Spinneyhill (see edit history)