Where can I get one like, right away - or - is it even really a necessary part? Cos it doesn't look too necessary to me and I can't find one locally. I can't even find a puller. I removed the old (ruined) one with a screwdriver - and it looks like either the Eshaft or the race it sits in is wrecked too (oval shaped instead of round)

Is that replacable, or is the eshaft screwed?

 

Dude, it's really important. It supports the input shaft on the transmission. Without it your **** would be fucked. I hope you didn't **** up your E-Shaft and ****, cause that would suck dick for you.

A new pilot bearing is like $4. If that much.

 

you can run without one, but it is hard on the input shaft bearing as there isnt anything to support it on the other end.

depending on how screwed up it is, you can most likely still force a pilot bearing in

 

I admit that it would look a lot more necessary to me if I could both find one AND it looked installable. I think the eshaft is fucked, I'm going to have a really good look today in the daylight though.

And try and find a pilot bearing at a parts store, canadian tire didn't have/couldn't get them.

 

i have a brand new one for a s4 tii if you want to buy it let me know if it will work

 

Unless mazdatrix ships "next hour" and can magically fix my fucked eshaft, I don't think they can help me or did noone read that, my eshaft is fucked!

I'm figuring something out now.

btw - the 20b and 13b-RE guys don't use a pilot bearing and their motors work fine so that just may be the solution.

 

I wouldn't recommend running without a pilot bearing. Without it, the front of the transmission input shaft is unsupported and will move about 3-4MM depending on input bearing wear. This not only kills the shaft, but kills the seal resulting in a transmission oil leak out the front seal that ruins the clutch and causes the transmission to run dry.

Mazda can order the bearing and generally have it within a day or so.

What's wrong with your eccentric shaft?

 

the hole in the E-shaft that the pilot bearing sits in is not round. It's an oval.

I think my solution is going to be, get a piece of UHMW plastic (allready done), hammer it in place (since the hole is an oval, this may take some work considering how hard UHMW is) and then machine to fit the input shaft. So I'll basically have a pilot bushing instead of bearing.

 

Even if it's not perfectly round, the pilot bearing should still seat. As long as it is centered and tight, you shouldn't have a problem.

If you choose to convert to a bushing, visit your local bearing store and get a bronze oil-impregnated bushing of the appropriate size. Any kind of plastic will quickly melt.

 

have you seen UHMW plastic?

Anyways
I fixed it. It's got a pilot bearing now. Engine is in. Clutch feels funny, hopefully for no reason.