rx78788

So i just got my clutch kit i ordered form napa and it did not have a pilot bearing. so i said to them, what it up with that. so they checked it and sure enough the kit does not come with one. So i had to order on seperetly.

what i want to know is what would happen if you did not put one in?

also does it just slide in?

Stanello

iTrader: (1)

You'll need to use a pilot bearing puller to get it out. Nothing bad would probably happen if you didn't put one in, but it should last much longer if you put a new one in. It's one of those "while you're in there" kinda things to do. Might as well and wait on the pilot bearing in my opinion.

rx78788

but the thing is When i took my clutch off and looked in there i see not pilot bearing. It is so weird.

Stanello

iTrader: (1)

You should be able to see/feel it in the the rear of the e-shaft.

rx78788

No there it no bearing in there, i'm sure, i know what to look for and it is not in there. I just double checked.

Do i need a pilot bearing seal or can i deal with out it. all i got was the bearing

rx78788

bump

eyeoutthere

There is no pilot bearing seal that I know of. Just tap the bearing in lightly with a socket.

My roommate ran without a pilot bearing for a year or two. All it did was make some noise when the clutch was out. I don’t think any permanent damage was done to the tranny.

rx78788

thanks for that post it was what i needed

locketine

uh, isn't the pilot bearing what holds the shaft relatively stationary. And don't they fail more if you leave the clutch depressed too much? I'm just thinking that leaving it out would hurt your e-shaft atleast.

Yes, there is a "seal" that goes on top of the pilot bearing looking down the eshaft, I got my bearing and seal off of mazdatrix, I forget if they came as a package.

rx78788

I don't see how it would hurt the e-shaft any. The tranny inputshaft would have to have lots of play to hit the shaft. If it was that far off, it would be all out of balance.

jl1rx7

iTrader: (1)

dude put it in there the needle bearing(pilot) is very important, i lost a transmission because some shop didn;t put one in. also i drove alot every year like 50k a year so i had to replace that bearing or the throwout bearing more than the rest of clutch, but use a high quality grease when you intall it and hopefully it will last, since that bearing get no lubrication at all, one of the very few design issues with the car, good luck

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

I bought a replacement clutch from O'Reilly's last summer. It had the wrong pilot bearing with the kit, but it was the bearing that went with the kit. The clown behind the counter said he would sell me the right one if I wanted it. I said a few kind words and went home and pulled my new spare one out of the drawer.

There is a bearing seal, most kits don't have them, even if the correct bearing is included. Most of the 7 stores have them.

My pilot bearing ground itself up several years ago, never had any tranny problems until I put the new clutch and bearing in. Tranny vibrated like **** because now the pilot end of the input shaft was fixed and all of the wear that occured, in the input shaft bearing, after the old pilot went out, showed up. I ended up relacing the tranny.

Short version, install the pilot bearing and seal, it will save you headaches later.

RETed

Please stop offering very bad advice like this.

The pilot bearing has a function.
It supports the front end of the input shaft to the transmission.
With the engine spinning at 8kRPM on some cars, you're trying to keep things from getting out of alignment.
At that kinda rotational speed, even a tiny deflection (of the input shaft) can mean disaster.


-Ted

slayerx7

iTrader: (4)

If anyone reads this anymore, www.rx7.com has the proper kit you need, just navigate right to it. And apparantly it was the bearing you were looking and and I hear its EXTREMELY difficult to replace without the right tool. Im about to find out for myself