So I went to install the new pilot bearing, and it seems like it is too big to fit inside the e-shaft. After searching, it seems that only a few other people have had this problem and there wasn't much info on how they resolved it. A few people said to hammer it in, but some other people said they did that and it screwed it up, so what should I do?
Also, which way does the pilot bearing seal go in? I see craploads of stuff saying it only goes in one way, but none saying which way that is.

 

i had the exact same problem and i found out the sleeve of the old pilot bearing was still stuck in there i had to sit there with a dremel and dremel it out if not try to get a small flat screwdriver and try to jam it under and break it out....
TwEaK

 

I had an extra-special time with my pilot bearing today as well- it has managed to weld itself to the e-shaft. I also searched and found references to using a drill, dremel etc to remove the remains, which I will try tomorrow.

What I am going to do is to measure the OD of the pilot bearing with my calipers then drill- ream to final size.

I also read where some people have done this and the PB was loose in the e-shaft, but a little green locktite will fix that( it is made for that exact purpose.

Cheers-
Don

 

thats exactly what happned to me i was just able to get it a hair back with the removal tool and wedge a flat screwdriver in and pry it out...
TwEaK

 

to get it back in, not sure if it applies in this situation, but getting things with tight tolerances to fit, put the part that you want to be smaller into the freezer and let it get really cold, itll shrink slightly, might help with the installation

 

Well, this engine came out of an auto car, so there isn't a pilot bearing there. I can't even get this thing past the outer lip - not a single bit of the bearing will fit inside of the e-shaft. I tried tapping it in with a hammer, but I can't hold it in right. I then got a socket with a similar diameter and used it to tap it in, but it just sits there and laughs at me, not going in at all. I really need this figured out by tomorrow as I'm trying to get this car running by friday.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Edit: Yeah, I have put it in the freezer and am going to let it sit overnight. I mean tight tolerances is one thing, but this is rediculous.

 

if you hit it with a hammer you prolly bent it make shure it still round and you need to use the correct tool
TwEaK

 

Yeah, I'm not hitting it hard at all, I just tried tapping it a bit. Its definately still round. Also, what is the correct tool? The haynes manual says to use a socket with a slightly smaller diameter, which is what I did.

 

not shure whats the name but i mean its a pilot bearing installation tool from mazda its the exact size of the diameter on the tranny thats what i used.. i mean whatever you can use to get it in works lol
TwEaK

 

Hmmm. You happen to know how much that tool is, or if there is an equivalent loaner tool at parts stores?

 

Ok, so I got the damn pilot bearing in finally. Its pretty much flush with the end of the e-shaft, so now I just need to figure out how to get the o-ring in. Which way does it go?

 

the bearing needs to stick in a bit try to see if you get can get something thats smaller than can push the bearing in a little further so you have enough space to put the seal in... let me know what happens
TwEaK

 

and by the way very rare i heard that people put the seal on.. i didnt and car still works great...
TwEaK

 

"O-ring"?? mine was a seal and if I remember right you need to drive the bearing in about an 1/8" past flush so the the seal will fit.

 

Yeah, I meant the seal, not an o-ring. So is it really even needed then? It was a year ago that I removed it on my rebuild, but I don't recall pulling it out, so the guy that built it must not have put it in. Anyway, I already have it so I might as well use it. Does anyone know what direction to put it in?

 

I know people don't put it in but if you don't whats to keep the very small amount of grease in the bearing. One thing, I had a hard time getting mine to go in straight. I think I went throught 3 seals before I got it in with out bending or crushing it.

sorry, I don't remember the direction I put it in.
I want to say that I put it in with the metal side out (towards the trans.)

 

Luckily mine went in first try with no bending. The freezing trick helped.

 

Well, the damn internal needles dont turn around like they used to. Does this mean I fucked it up, or is this normal? I assume its shot, but luckily theres a store locally that has one in stock.

 

Well, I got the bearing in, but its starting to be a bit harder to turn the internal bearing part, in the exact same place where it screwed up last time. Its in far enough, and I am strongly considering not using the seal. Is there some reason that not using the seal would cause damage to anything? I'll just load it down with grease.

 

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but if u lust load it down with grease, what's to prevent the grease from working out aroundthe shaft??? I'd think there'd be the possibilty of the grease then getting onto ur clutch disc causeing it to slip!!!

Apex-it

 

Honestly? I have no idea. The other guy said it worked fine for him, and thats good enough for me. At this point, I just want the damn car running again, and want to make sure the engine is even good before I put a whole shitload of effort into it. If it leaks out and causes the clutch to slip, then that'll give me something to do for a weekend. Once I get everything back together I'll post back on how it works.

 

by the way thats true the seal is supposed to hold the grease from coming out if you want just put a think layer and thats about it dont load it up with grease or yes its going to cause major slipping
TwEaK

 

As for the seal, I didn't see any mention of which way it goes in!!! I'm getting a new pilot bearing and seal today from dealer so I'll check with them and let u know!!! I think I put the last one in the wrong way, i was gettin' onto the highway a week or so ago and the it suddenly became hard to shift and could really smell burning rubber!!!! maybe but the seal in wrong or something.. Ah well I find out this weekend what happened!!!

APEX-IT

 

Look at one side of the seal then the other. One side has more metal on the metal flange than the other. That is the side you would have face the transmission. That is the metal that you would put, say a socket of the same diameter against , and lightly tap the bearing into the shaft by hitting the socket which is resting against that flange.

In other words, the side that has the most metal on the flange faces towards the transmission.

Or, if you look at the seal, the side that faces the engine, has a groove in the rubbler where the other side does not.

 

Right you are!! I just picked up the new bearing and seal. I asked the tech there and he said the same thing!!

APEX-IT