With 25k miles/ 13ish years on my FD, what are the odds that the pilot bearing ,flywheel and engine rear main seal will need replaced/resurfaced? I'm asking because I would like to install an ACT HDMM kit myself, but not if I'll have to mess with the previously mentioned parts.
From reading the shop manual it seem that rubbing the flywheel with emery paper and greasing up a few parts is probably all that is needed for prep. However, after reading some posts on this forum, I'm starting to think that I will need to replace everything within three feet of the clutch. lol
So do you think I should risk starting this job with the intention of only replacing the clutch, throw out bearing and pressure plate? Or should I take the easy way out and have a shop do a complete job?

 

if you take the trans down you will have to replace rear seal.
if you remove clutch you will have to replace ring and throw out bearing.

 

Are you talking about the rear seal on the engine or the transmission?
The ACT pressure plate that I'm installing has a new ring on it.

 

^^^^^^

 

If you have the right tools, it's not a bad job. With some help and the tools, it shouldn't take long. If you don't have the right tools, let a a shop do it to save you some headaches. Nothing is worse than doing a job and not having the right tools to do it right.

You don't need to replace anything that doesn't need replacing. Basically, you need to inspect everything to see if its in good shape. At 25k miles, I can't imagine there will be problems with your flywheel unless you have been burning your current clutch. You should be ok just wiping it down. The pilot bearing, you can feel in there to make sure its not damaged. If not, just grease it up and go.

 

I've got the tools needed to remove the transmission but not the flywheel or pilot bearing. However, the Fd is not a daily driver so it can sit if I need to find an odd tool.
The clutch did slip for about a second under boost in 5th gear. Do you think that is enough to burn the flywheel?

 

Naw, if the car didn't billow out a ton of smoke from the clutch such that the people behind you had to turn on their fog lights, that didn't do any real damage.

 

over years of normal use, the flywheel surface will accumulate small burn marks on its surface . if you change the clutch disk and leave these marks they will have an abrasive effect on your new clutch disc. these marks also leave voids in the friction surface..you want 100percent engagement on the flywheel to clutch disc surfaces .so smoother is better .otherwise you are defeating the purpose of "upgrading " to the act disc.
the pilot bearing has the very important task of keeping your input shaft centered within the rotating mass of the clutch system .without it ..you will have the effect of a clothes washer out of balance ...not as dramatic of course... but your input shaft bearings will notice for sure .. premature wear can result .
so since your flywheel is removed for resurfacing ....change the "known to leak" rear seal ... (nothing like losing a brand new clutch disc to an oil seal failure) ... and replace the least lubricated bearing in your car (pilot bearing) ... to keep those bearings happy ... very cheap insurance for major job

 

I think I'll play it safe and have a shop do the clutch job from the oil seal back.
Thanks for all the replies
Rick