Where can I get a clutch pilot tool?
 

Hey everyone,

I can't seem to find a clutch pilot tool for my N/A car. Does anyone know where I can get one?

Cheers,
Cody

Removal or installation?

For removal, Autozones in my area have a good one.. .not the two-chuck one like they usually have, its a 4-puck one, works great.

For installation, I use a bolt with silicone tubing on it. Get a bolt with a head-size exactly the diameter of the pilot bearing, and hose thick enough to go around it and contact the inside rollers gently (I think I used 10mm vacuum tubing on the bolt I found). This will keep it lined up. Then just tap it in as straight as possible.

It's for installation. What EXACTLY do I need? This is my first clutch change on any car, so I'm learning quite a bit as I go.

EDIT: I'm realizing at this point that we probably aren't talking about the same thing. I'm not asking about installing the pilot bearing, I'm asking about the clutch alignment tool. The thing you slide in so everything lines up just right. O'reilly's has one for a Turbo (and they call it a pilot tool) but they don't have any for N/As. It's "special order" and the guy won't even know if he can get it for three days.

Knowing the way car parts stores work around here it wouldn't even be the right thing after I waited all that time.

Hopefully I've cleared up any confusion.

Cheers,
Cody

EXACTLY? Shit man... I dunno. :) Want a picture? hehe. Just dig through your nuts and bolts and find one that looks how I said... then find some vacuum hose... whatever looks like it'll work, probably will. The important part is making the head of the bolt the same diameter as the pilot bearing... but not wide enough to score/scratch the inside of the eccentric shaft...

Keep in mind, this is what I did. Your results may vary. Also, have you searched or read the FAQ? Or... heaven forbit... read the FSM/Haynes. :)

Read my edit above. I'm not asking about the pilot bearing. I'm asking about the clutch "alignment" tool.

(Clutch components have so many different names! i.e "Throwout Bearing / Release Bearing" etc.)

Cheers,
Cody

Are you serious? How about mazdatrix.com? Seriously.. have you checked anywhere?

http://www.mazdatrix.com/toolmisc.htm

http://www.rx7.com/store/rx7/fcdrivetrain_clutch.html

$2.95 near the bottom

edit: ^^ ha! beat me to it.

One didn't come with a new clutch kit? You can always do it by sight, although thats pretty tricky.

take the disc with u
and go get one that would fit hte splines and put it in
im sure a honda something one would work
along with a mazda truck

I'm pretty sure I got mine at advance auto. They had it in stock at it was something like 2-3 bucks. Just try all the parts places in town, one of them is bound to have it in stock.

umm, you could always just go to your local autoparts store.. they always have some in stock in the aisles... i had a honda that i did a clutch upgrade and saved the alignment tool.. works fine with my 7 clutch soo.. ya. lol

Seriously, not anywhere online, no. Thanks for the link.

I bought a used clutch and pressure plate. And I don't think aligning it by sight is such a great idea.

That's a good idea. Thanks!

O'reilly's, Autozone and Napa are the local stores I've visited and called. None of them carry a clutch alignment tool for a non-turbo 86-92 RX-7.

A friend said I might want to check out PepBoys so I'll try them next.

Places like O'Reilly's have universal parts. So Clutch Alignment tool 0879 (just randomness) will work for Car A, B, C, D, E, and F. If they had an alignment tool that was correct for a Mazda RX-7 Non-Turbo 86-92 it would show up when they searched for it, and it didn't.

My point? I'm glad your Honda alignment tool worked but I'd rather get the exact part. Something must be different about the clutch alignment tool we need or else it would be readily available at places like O'Reilly's.

Thanks for all the help, I'll probably order one from the RX7 Store or Mazdatrix if Pepboys doesn't have one.

Cheers,
Cody

I was just at baxters auto parts... they had a whole rack of them hanging up... Even checked for the RX-7.. they had turbo and non-turbo for 4 bucks each.

Never heard of Baxter's. Can't find a single one in the entire state of Texas with yellowpages.com. I would go to their site but it's down right now.

Cheers,
Cody

SUcks to be you! :) I know my napa has them as well.... but I wasn't there today. Hehe. You have napas over there in BFE?

Hardly any auto parts stores carry the old fashioned plastic clutch alignment tool anymore. They are supplied with the kits. The N/A 2nd gen tool is the same as the 1st gen tool.
They also have the universal metal tools that come in a kit with different size bushings at the end to center the disk.
Just find a member in your area, I'm sure someone has one lying around.

dude, if you want. i'll let you borrow mine.
i just noticed you lived in dallas.
i just gotta go look for it.