Re: Where is the pilot bearing located and what is the function?

Posted by Dan Partain on June 11, 1997 at 00:15:28

In Reply to: Re: Where is the pilot bearing located and what is the function?
posted by Don Thompson on June 10, 1997 at 22:07:39

: Ans: The pilot brg is in the flywheel and it supports the front end of the transmission input shaft. That's the shaft that the clutch plate is on. The pilot bearing only turns when the clutch is disengaged. Thus, it is a small sealed brg. If you have noise with the clutch engaged, it ain't the pilot brg. Disengage the clutch (pedal down) and if it screetches it is either the throwout or pilot brg. You can see and feel the throwout brg by removing the top floorboard and opening the inspection cover in the bell housing. Manually rotate the throwout brg to feel for roughness. DO THIS WITH THE ENGINE OFF. A bad pilot brg is not serious but is a big job to change it for such a small item.
I would like to add one thing to this discussion: If the pilot bearing *is* the problem and the car continues to be driven you run the risk of damaging the main input shaft of the transmission. The shaft will wear because it is spinning inside the frozen bearing. Once it is worn down it is too loose to fit snugly into a new pilot bearing rendering it unacceptable for use.

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