I had changed my clutch and pilot bearing about 600 miles ago on an 87 n/a, and suddenly it began very difficult to change gears. Before I could get home, I could not change gears with the engine running. I pulled the tranny and the pilot bearing was demolished...looked like I put a drill to it, just a mess. What happened? I don't want the replacement to go out in 600 miles.

 

Couple things to think about...

Did you put grease in it before you installed the trans?
Did the input shaft going into the bearing mess it up?
Is the input shaft bent or otherwise damaged which would cause it to wobble and stress the bearing too much?
Did you remember to install the seal on the pilot bearing?

B

 

Could have it been damaged during installation?

 

The people who did the clutch job manhandled the clutch install, which destroys the pilot bearing.  I'd go back and complain like hell...


-Ted