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Pilot Bearing Seal

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Old 05-31-17, 03:41 PM
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Pilot Bearing Seal

I am having 1 HELL of an issue finding these things.... Does anyone know where to find them? Am I calling them by the wrong name? I couldn't find them on Tasca or Napa auto online, as well as a few other places I have checked.
Old 05-31-17, 05:04 PM
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I just Googled it and low and behold, first entry.


1979-1991, 1993-1995 Mazda RX7 Pilot Bearing Seal - Clutch - Genuine 79-91, 93-95 RX7 Pilot Bearing Seal - 8566-01220122 - PartsGeek
Old 05-31-17, 08:35 PM
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just omit it, more trouble than its worth.
Old 06-01-17, 06:06 AM
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Originally Posted by insightful
just omit it, more trouble than its worth.
You're wrong. Are you also going to tell people to go without their oil filler caps?
Old 06-01-17, 06:52 AM
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RockAuto $1.59
Old 06-01-17, 09:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Acesanugal
You're wrong. Are you also going to tell people to go without their oil filler caps?
no, i'm not.
Old 06-01-17, 09:39 AM
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The pilot bearing is a pain to replace with or without the seal. If you're going to go through the hassle, replace the seal too. It's only a few bucks. Screw doing all that work again for anything merely pilot bearing related.

I got my pilot bearing+seal from Atkins Rotary.
Old 06-01-17, 09:53 AM
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Thank you Turbonut!
Old 06-01-17, 09:57 AM
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Google is not always the greatest friend to the Rotary community.... The people here usually know the better (cheaper) places to buy things

Thanks for the help though
Old 06-01-17, 10:01 AM
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the rockauto ones are generic and not of the best quality, IF you're going to put one in just go to mazdatrix or atkins... is it worth saving a dollar to possibly fight your transmission for a few hours?

i stand by my point above, however.
Old 06-01-17, 10:02 AM
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Originally Posted by insightful
no, i'm not.
Not wrong? Or not going to tell people important dust seals are insignificant?
Old 06-01-17, 10:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Acesanugal
Not wrong? Or not going to tell people important dust seals are insignificant?
lets just say that some of the most experienced people on this forum agree with me on it.
Old 06-01-17, 10:10 AM
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Name them.

If the seal did not do a job, then it's unlikely mazda would have put them in place to begin with.

I've read that some people think they're useless to install because they believe they disintegrate. That is more likely due to improper installation of the pilot bearing and therefore the seal.

You are of course free to do as you choose. Personally, I like to keep grease in and friction material dust (from the clutch) out. But hey, to each their own, right ? Who cares if some people are wrong.
Old 06-01-17, 10:13 AM
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https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generati...-work-1085657/

just because something is there doesn't mean it actually has a practical purpose. grease stays put(unless you use way too much) and dust generally does not gravitate towards that area.

you can do whatever you like as well, but just because you prefer your way doesn't make it the only way. this isn't like leaving a dust cap or wheel seal off a wheel bearing, in which case i would totally agree.

Last edited by insightful; 06-01-17 at 10:21 AM.
Old 06-01-17, 10:24 AM
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Sounds to me like people out there are not installing them the way they should. That thread doesn't prove that the seal is not necessary.

I've changed clutches (and therefore the bearing and seal) on cars where the dust seal was either MIA or never installed and the remaining grease for the bearing was dirty as hell. Whereas when I've installed them myself, 20,000 miles later the seal is still in place and the grease behind it was still clean. That being said, I will always change them if the transmission has to come out for any reason as good practice as the parts are extremely cheap.

You won't be convincing me that your theory is correct, nor will I continue to debate the matter. Sorry broski, I've got better things to do.
Old 06-01-17, 10:28 AM
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that's your choice, i however have pulled trannies out where the seal apparently caused the pilot to seize and subsequently scar the input shaft on the transmission. no matter how skilled you think you are, it only takes a light tap from the input shaft to totally fubar that seal, even the best mechanics can easily do it so saying the installation was borked is a bit of a exaggeration on your part. the transmission aligns much easier without the seal as well, leading to less fighting with the alignment, and less chance of damaging the pilot.

so alternately, you aren't convincing me otherwise either.

Last edited by insightful; 06-01-17 at 10:31 AM.
Old 06-01-17, 10:36 AM
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Attached Thumbnails Pilot Bearing Seal-cool-starry-bra.jpg  
Old 06-01-17, 10:50 AM
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AVE had something similar a couple years ago




Maybe he could pull the bearing seals out of the transmission too. Less friction, free flowing lubricant. Could make him one of those trendy fidget spinners or 5 from the carnage.
Old 06-01-17, 07:06 PM
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Originally Posted by insightful
that's your choice, i however have pulled trannies out where the seal apparently caused the pilot to seize and subsequently scar the input shaft on the transmission. no matter how skilled you think you are, it only takes a light tap from the input shaft to totally fubar that seal, even the best mechanics can easily do it so saying the installation was borked is a bit of a exaggeration on your part. the transmission aligns much easier without the seal as well, leading to less fighting with the alignment, and less chance of damaging the pilot.

so alternately, you aren't convincing me otherwise either.
Unsealed greased bearing in a location that produces dust, and grease contamination can cause clutch slippage... seems like a great idea! Claiming its not a dusty environment really makes me question how much cleaning of the bellhousing, flywheel, and rear iron you have done.
Just because you are incapable of correctly installing a transmission without damage a bearing doesn'r mean you should convince others to follow in your footsteps.
The seal is there for good reason. You can just as readily omit the brake piston dust boots, but its an equally stupid idea.
Old 06-01-17, 07:09 PM
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Originally Posted by insightful
lets just say that some of the most experienced people on this forum agree with me on it.
Find me a reputed Rotary shop that recommends leaving them out.
Find me an engineer that thinks this a good idea.
Old 06-01-17, 08:28 PM
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Personally, I regret taking time out of my work day to argue with this person.

One of my technicians reminded me of the previously posted bra and we about died laughing.
Old 06-02-17, 01:51 PM
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*rolls eyes at the comparative arguments*
Old 06-02-17, 02:17 PM
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I am on a different computer so it may be that, but did the quick reply go away? What the ****? It just isn't on my screen. Anyway....

I really didn't mean to start a fight over this but I am on the side of using the little dust seal. I can attest to how damn difficult it can be to get the input shaft inside the hole without damaging anything. I'm on my 3rd time or so changing out that ******* pilot bearing. I guess that's what I get for trying to do it on my own with a bad back.... Hopefully this will be my last try! I got a couple extra in case I think I damaged something this time.

Good luck with your pissing match guys
Old 06-02-17, 02:25 PM
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so you've had to replace the bearing 3 times and use the seal?

well i don't use the seal and i've never had a pilot bearing ever fail. strange how that works.

not saying you and your ideals aren't aimed decently, but sometimes you should step back and think for a few minutes of if perhaps another angle might not be wiser. but people just think i'm trolling here when perhaps i'm not. if an engine already has the seal i will use it, not yank it out, but if i am replacing a bearing, i omit the seal. because it merely seems more problematic than beneficial.

Last edited by insightful; 06-02-17 at 02:29 PM.
Old 06-02-17, 02:40 PM
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Probably don't need your fuel pulsation damper either. Car doesn't run any different without it /s

But in all seriousness, getting the transmission all lined up by yourself is a large undertaking. I was surprised how much the engine tips forward when you disconnect the tranny. Also, putting the pilot bearing in the freezer the night before installing made it very easy to install.



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