Pilot Bearing or Bushing

[pontiacgp]

For you guys whop are using a stick are you using a pilot bearing or a bushing. I use the needle bearing pilot and I have to replace it after only about 5 months use. The one before that lasted a little longer and I thought it might have been defective so I replaced it with the current needle bearing pilot. I measured the shaft to make sure the play was not excessive for a roller bearing but it still failed. I'm thinking of replacing it with this...any of you using the Jerico Roller Pilot Bearing...or should I go with a bronze bushing

 

[Bonnewagon]

I use only the #7109 pilot bearing. Never had one go bad and I have gone 10 years of hard use with not a peep. I do however pack the open side with disc brake grease and the back of the cavity too.

 

[GuysMonteSS]

I have been using the bearing type for many years,heres the one I just installed this year;
http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/aaf-all26114/overview/
Proper bellhousing indexing is critical to pilot bearing longevity.
If its not lined up they will wear out quickly and this applies to bushing or bearing type.
I have had many years service out of them when installed correctly.
And as Bonnewagon mentioned,pack them with some quality grease,but don't over do it.
Guy

 

[pontiacgp]

I'm thinking I didn't pack enough grease with the roller bearings I used....

 

[GuysMonteSS]

It dosent take much,I just put some in with my finger and pack it in.
I also take a piece of fine emery paper and make sure the input shaft is smooth and free from nicks & scratches.
Before I put the transmission all the way in I also put a tiny bit of lube on the input shaft.
I usually use a nice brake caliper lube like this one;
http://www.permatex.com/products-2/...permatex-ultra-disc-brake-caliper-lube-detail
Guy

 

[pontiacgp]

I just remember how I probably messed it up...the one in my car now was installed 2 summers ago. Last summer I changed the flywheel a few times one nite last year and I was in a rush to get it finished to head to an out to a race that was 6 hours away and I was still working on the car at 1 am and I had to leave by 4 am. I cleaned the flyweel with brake clean each time before I installed the transmission the last time. I most likely cleaned the grease off the pilot bearing...

 

[Mike P]

“…….I use the needle bearing pilot and I have to replace it after only about 5 months use. The one before that lasted a little longer and I thought it might have been defective so I replaced it with the current needle bearing pilot. I measured the shaft to make sure the play was not excessive for a roller bearing but it still failed. I'm thinking of replacing it with this...any of you using the Jerico Roller Pilot Bearing...”


You do realize that if you had used a bronze bushing the first time it would still be in there and not need to be replaced????


Yes a bearing is a lot more friction free than a bushing, but in the big scheme of things what are you gaining?


I’m not trying to be a smart *ss, but as someone who has replaced more clutches than I care to remember (mechanic by trade) I hate to eat a come-back, especially for a defective part. If I have a choice, I’ll go with the bushing every time, especially with the quality of the (mostly foreign) things like bearing that are available currently.

 

[pontiacgp]

“…….I use the needle bearing pilot and I have to replace it after only about 5 months use. The one before that lasted a little longer and I thought it might have been defective so I replaced it with the current needle bearing pilot. I measured the shaft to make sure the play was not excessive for a roller bearing but it still failed. I'm thinking of replacing it with this...any of you using the Jerico Roller Pilot Bearing...”


You do realize that if you had used a bronze bushing the first time it would still be in there and not need to be replaced????


Yes a bearing is a lot more friction free than a bushing, but in the big scheme of things what are you gaining?


I’m not trying to be a smart *ss, but as someone who has replaced more clutches than I care to remember (mechanic by trade) I hate to eat a come-back, especially for a defective part. If I have a choice, I’ll go with the bushing every time, especially with the quality of the (mostly foreign) things like bearing that are available currently.

Thanks for the info and you make alot of sense..you are speaking from experience so you are smart but not an *ss

 

[pontiacgp]

Just ordered a bronze bushing. When I worked aircraft we used oil lite bushings which is an oil in pregnant bronze bushing identical to a bronze pilot bushing. The bearing style is used in a lot of vehicles so it has to be something I did wrong but I don't enjoy having to do this job in the middle of summer so I'm taking Mike's suggestion and going with the bronze bushing.

 

[pontiacgp]

I use only the #7109 pilot bearing. Never had one go bad and I have gone 10 years of hard use with not a peep. I do however pack the open side with disc brake grease and the back of the cavity too.

Mark, thanks for the part number of the pilot bearing you ware using. I like that bearing better than the needle roller bearing but I was not able to find that bearing in any store I checked.on this side of the border. The Canadian dollar is worth $0.77 US so with shipping costs, import duties and taxes and the time factor the bronze bushing, with Mike's endorsement, is IMO the best choice ....