I've noticed that my pilot bearing is starting to go. i'm going to have to replace it, but while i'm in there, i might as well replace all other bearings that i can get to.

throw out
input
output
main tranny

are all of these bearings easily accessible while the tranny is out? are they fairly easy to remove/install? if anyone with experience could post, that would be very much appreciated. oh... one more thing. i have a twin plate clutch/flywheel system. will i have to remove that to get to the pilot bearing? thanks in advance for all of your help.

 

yes you will have to remove your clutch to change the pilot bearing...

curious....how do you KNOW you pilot bearing is going?

also, what do you mean input, output bearings???

edit: and if by main tranny bearing you are reffering to the main bearing on the input shaft of the tranny you will be looking at tearing down the trans in order to change that.........I have never heard of this bearing failing in any RX-7 I have ever seen....

 

well, it's getting harder and harder to shift into gear now (pilot). i pretty much have to force it into first and second. this is also at a complete stop/idle . sometimes my ride feels smooth and great, and then out of nowhere it will feel luggish, as if something is holding it back. this happens on and off almost everytime i drive it. when its smooth, it shifts smoothly, when it runs luggish, the shifting seems to feel akward/stubborn. i pretty much have to force it, ESPECIALLY during a downshift. up shift is easier though. it feels like a bearing of somesort is going out. i could be tottaly wrong, but it couldnt hurt to try. the reason i dont think its the synchs, is because when it runs smoothly shifting it is like butter.

yeah, your right about the other bearings, i've been looking at the FSM and thats not quite the job i want to get into. i think the pilot and throwout bearing is what i'll be limited to.

i've done the obvious... checked the hydraulic system. i changed the tranny fluid from royal purple to redline w/lucas additive. it helped a little but i still have to force it in

 

while you're at it, put some brake lubricant on the dimple that's on the clutch fork that the piston rod from the slave cylinder pushes on. also, on the 2 contact points at the bottom of the fork and on the shaft that the throwout bearing slides on (not too much). That's what the guy told me that rebuilt my tranny. he said that it makes it sooooo much smoother...like a new car. I don't know how true that is but i hope it works and i'll find out soon. i'd like to find out what's wrong with your tranny too. I don't see what the pilot bearing has to do with what's going on with your tranny though.

 

I agree with ryan, I don't see the pilot doing anything to the tranny... especially since its just simply there to hold the spline in place and not allow it to rattle around in the end of the E-shaft. Sounds more like a fork or clutch problem than anything, maybe bad tranny but I have been told essentially that the 5-speed is nearly indestructable.

 

well, symptoms of the pilot bearing are not being able to shift gears while the motor is running. does the bearing just quit? or does it gradualy go. i can shift em, but i have to really force it. i'm wondering if it also puts a strain on the tranny too. it almost feels like i've lost power. but out of nowhere it will go away and then shifting is butter and power seems to have restored. even if i drive for only 15min this cycle will happen maybe twice. it usually transitions at stop lights. its almost like someone is holding on... and then lets go of you.