Pilot Bearing and Grinding Questions

[Counted Out]

I am putting in a new clutch for the first time and so far everything is going good, but I have a few questions.

1. How do I tell if the pilot bearing needs to be replaced? My dad is helping me with the clutch and he just wants check it before we start putting stuff back together.

2. Before the I started tearing down the car, the transmission would grind pretty bad when going into fourth (about half the time). Is this an internal problem or is there something I can check out while I have the transmission out?

[96lt1m6]

chances are you have a bushing in there if you do spend the 12.00 and get the roller pilot bearing it is much smoother....

if you are installing a new clutch it would be wise at this time to replace the pilot bearing.

grinding into 4th sounds as if it is more of an internal thing you may have an ear broken off of the shift-fork or the nylon bushing is worn down either way i would have a GOOD TRANNY MAN open it up and have a look.

[Counted Out]

chances are you have a bushing in there if you do spend the 12.00 and get the roller pilot bearing it is much smoother....

if you are installing a new clutch it would be wise at this time to replace the pilot bearing.

grinding into 4th sounds as if it is more of an internal thing you may have an ear broken off of the shift-fork or the nylon bushing is worn down either way i would have a GOOD TRANNY MAN open it up and have a look.
I'm almost positive there is a roller bearing in there now. Someone on another forum said to replace it with a self-lubricating bushing because it will cause less friction than a bearing - opinions?

[Spartan7]

Replace it with a bushing. Bearings break, bushings just wear out. If you're taking the time to replace the clutch, don't even hesitate to replace the pilot bushing. It's only like $6 from Autozone.

[96lt1m6]

i have never had a bearing break,not to say it could not but in 20 years of having stick shift cars its never happened to me

[Spartan7]

Read the horror stories of pilot bearings seizing and exploding on CZ28. Go with a bushing.

[Z28pr0jekt]

Ive always run a bearing in mine since I replaced the first clutch and never had a problem

[96lt1m6]

Read the horror stories of pilot bearings seizing and exploding on CZ28. Go with a bushing.

do you really believe all you read? i guess there is no such thing as "it failed cause it was not installed correctly" as i stated 20 years and no issues!

[Counted Out]

both stores I went to only had bearings so it looks like Im going with a bearing.

[96lt1m6]

be sure to use some good greese on the snout ofthe input shaft as well as the needle bearings inside the bearing..not a bunch i use a q-tip to lube the bearings

[Spartan7]

do you really believe all you read? i guess there is no such thing as "it failed cause it was not installed correctly" as i stated 20 years and no issues!

Have you ever spun a rod bearing? Heard about it happening? Just because you haven't experienced something doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I'm just throwing the knowledge out there so others can make an informed decision. If you want to disagree, that's your business.