Do people use the pilot bearing seal when they replace their clutch? I had my tranny swapped from auto and had a exedy twin plate installed. The mechanics tried to install the clutch with the new pilot bearing seal and they seem to have problems...is this common?

 

I had the same problem doing mine. I broke one of them trying to re install the tranny. I got lucky that my local Advance Auto parts had 2 of them in stock.

 

Do you really need the seal? I hear some have it and some don't

 

I wouldn't run without the seal in place. Without a seal all the debris as the disc wears will find its way into the pilot bearing.