The largest part of back wheel drive and some front wheel drive automobile with manual transmissions utilize a pilot bearing or bushing. The pilot bearing or bushing is responsible for offering ¬support to the alternator input shaft and clutch disc. When the clutch is detached, the pilot bearing permits the flywheel, also called balance wheel, to ¬maintain engine RPM even as the input shaft is halting.
There are different types of pilot bearing or bushing. They include:
- Conventional ball bearings
- Needle bearings
- Sintered bronze bushings
Once a pilot bearing or bushing begins to develop issues, a vehicle may display certain symptoms. Now let’s look at the symptoms of bad pilot bearing.
Symptoms of a Bad Pilot Bearing
Symptoms of a bad pilot bad pilot bearing include:
- Noise
- Vibration
- No release
- Transmission pop out of gear
- Catastrophic malfunction of the alternator if not rectified
Early symptoms of a bad pilot bearing might be noise every time the clutch is disconnected. The alternator may also be rigid to shift between gears or stiff to put into reverse or first gear after stopping the vehicle. When the pilot is weakening, or has malfunctioned, the input shaft will be allowed to walk around causing it to go off midpoint. This causes the alternator input duct to move about within the air brake triggering the mechanism and synchronizers to be off center resulting in the alternator popping out of gear.
If the automobile has a high output engine, the misalignment will cause the input shaft gear to not connect with the counter shaft gear accurately and eventually will lead to failure of the gears. This causes the release bearing to release the clutch. The released bearing is intended to work with lowest amount friction between the revolving and fixed points of contact. Examine the bell housing area if noises come from it.
You can begin by performing a road assessment of your car. Pay attention to check if you can hear noises with the air brake in gear and the clutch pedal to the floor. After that, release the clutch with the alternator in first gear. Noise under this condition indicates a worn release bearing or a worn pilot bearing. To separate the two, keep the clutch pedal on the floor and move the alternator into neutral. If you still hear the noise after this, it means the release bearing is bad. However, if the noise disappears, then it means the pilot bearing is bad.
A pilot bearing noise that occurs when unhanding the clutch pedal to employ the clutch while in neutral, but disappears when the pedal is depressed is caused by a bad pilot bearing. Ensure that all other gears are in good condition. Check the clutch connection for binding. Check the clutch fork and input shafts for proper positioning.
Pilot Bearing Install Direction
The direction of the pilot bearing is achieved by putting the bronze pilot bushing with the taper towards the air brake and the flat end into the crank. The pilot bearing is positioned it in clean engine oil and then fixed with thinning end to alternator. Avoid using grease or anti-seize as this will plug the pores in the bushing and it will fall short. The bushings are produced using powdered bronze and saturated with oil.
Some persons prefer to use only just a bearing because worn bushing can break the input shaft bearing and make it tasking to get attain 4th gear. The bearing will live longer than the clutch as long as you replace it every time the clutch is out. Removing a defective pilot bearing can be a complicated duty and may call for a unique tool. Fixing a pilot bearing is typically uncomplicated as long as you ensure it is accurately balanced.
Ensure the pilot bearing race is cut by means of a cutter to eliminate all fragments from the hole. In some cases, removing a bearing may only require stuffing the middle of the bearing with thick lubricant, and using a hammer to strike a rod that sits securely in the midpoint.
When the clutch is disconnected, the transmission’s input shaft and the engine’s camshaft are revolving at dissimilar rate. The pilot bearing permits this dissimilarity. This causes a defective pilot bearing to produce its most noise when the clutch pedal is totally depressed and the clutch itself is entirely disconnected. It’s situated in the middle of the balance wheel.
How Far Does a Pilot Bearing Go In?
The pilot bearing has an o-ring gasket around the outer border to stop lubricant from leaking out onto the disc. A pilot bearing is roughly an inch across and it seats in a small fissure that is at the back. You may have to dismantle everything since you’ll need to use a pilot bushing which is about two inches across and sits flush with the crank. Just keep driving the pilot bearing in until it’s flush with the crank end. The new one had a projection on the outside circumference. The extension allows the pilot bearing to go in one way and let it go to the right deepness which is the entire outside race into the camshaft and prevents it from being driven in excessively far.
When lubricating, use only a pea-sized quantity of grease to daub around the rollers. Most excess grease standing above the rollers gets hard-pressed into the rear when the alternator is installed.
Pilot Bearing Replacement Cost
The pilot bearing replacement cost will vary between $7.00 and $23.00 (US) which is obtainable from Amazon or the local parts store. If you are a novice who is unable to replace the pilot bearing, then you have to contact a local auto-repair shop. They will have to remove the alternator and clutch, making the labor cost to fall between $350.00 and $650.00 (US).
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If putting back the whole clutch as a kit, the pilot bearing will occasionally be added. Ensure you check the contents of the kit to be certain. The longevity of a pilot bearing should match the clutch. However, bearing can have a malfunction within 45,000 to 65,000 miles.
How to Remove Pilot Bearing Race
Removing a pilot bearing race can be achieved with set of special tools. However, a layperson may not be willing to buy a tool they wouldn’t always use. The pilot bearing race helps support the input shaft of a manual ABS. It has to be replaced when worn to prevent destroying the input shaft seal on the alternator. If this happens, it can pump out oil from the alternator, leading to clutch breakdown.
Contemporary vehicles now make use of an anti-friction bearing (roller bearing), while older automobiles employ a bronze bushing which is pushed into the end of the camshaft.
It is vital to removing the pilot bearing race cautiously to avoid damaging the interference fit in the camshaft. Then proceed to pack the area behind the bearing with bread and apply pressure through the opening for the input shaft. This will cause the bearing to push out efficiently. To apply pressure, utilize a rod of the similar diameter as the input shaft.
Pilot Bearing Removal Tips
Before you commence, the transmission has to be removed together with the clutch assembly.
1. Obtain a Pilot Bearing Removal Tool
To remove the pilot bearing race, you need a removal tool which is sold on Amazon at $34.00. You don’t necessarily have to buy if you can rent it at an auto store.
2. Insert the Removal Tool
Then proceed to slot in the removal tool into the pilot bearing, with the jam nut completely backed off. Turn the handle clockwise to extend the tool fingers outward in the rear of the bearing. The tool will relax beside the balance wheel which will maintain the pulling process.
3. Pull the Pilot Bearing Outward
Take a tight hold of the tool and make tighter the jam nut using a wrench; you would hear a small 'pop', indicating that the bearing is starting to move from the camshaft. At this position the nut will get easier to move alongside the wrench. Maintain this act pending when the bearing is completely detached.
4. Inspect the Pilot Bearing
Once the bearing has been detached examine the end of the camshaft and bearing which will be held in the tool. Let loose the bearing by spinning the tool handle counterclockwise. Employ a shop towel to wipe clean the end of the camshaft where the new bearing will be mounted. Ensure the surface is devoid of dirt and grease to keep the bearing in place.
5. Match the New Pilot Bearing
Examine both the original and previous bearings ensure the inside and outside diameters are the identical. If there are disparities, the new bearing won’t fit into the camshaft and may not permit the ABS input shaft to fit within if it which in turn will not allow the alternator to be reinstalled. To ensure proper functioning of the pilot bearing, fit it over the input shaft while the alternator is removed.
6. Install the New Pilot Bearing
Place the pilot bearing in the freezer for about 30 minutes to shrink it a little to help ease the installation. Then lightly place the bearing into the end of the camshaft. Make use of a hammer and metallic drift to gently tap the bearing into position. Avoid hitting the bearing to hard so as not to destroy it.
7. Lubricate the Pilot Bearing
Ensure you appropriately grease the pilot bearing to guarantee it would function accurately. Apply a small quantity of axle bearing or silicone-based grease to the interior the pilot bearing. Avoid adding excess quantity of lubricant so it wouldn’t get into the clutch disc.
At this state, the clutch is prepared for replacement and the ABS for re-installation.
Conclusion
A defective pilot bearing will make a buzzing or grinding sound, which increases in intensity when the bearing gets completely condemned. It will be very loud if the bearing is completely damaged. It happens every time the camshaft and input shaft are revolving at diverse speeds. On the other hand, a clutch release bearing will give off a tweeting or squealing noise as soon as the bearing touches the pressure plate’s diaphragm.
Pilot bearings can be bearings or bushings. The bearing type can be ball, roller or needle bearings crammed in grease. If the manufacturer proposes adding bearing grease, be careful not to contaminate the clutch disk or the exterior of the balance wheel. Pilot bushings are brass and instilled with lubrication. Adding lubrication will actually increase friction. Verify from manufacturer’s reference before adding any lubrication to a pilot bearing.
A worn or damaged pilot bearing will make a whining or grinding noise. It will be very loud if the bearing is completely damaged. It occurs whenever the camshaft and input shaft are rotating at different speeds. A clutch release bearing is different; it will make a chirping or squealing noise as soon as the bearing touches the pressure plate’s diaphragm. Note that release bearings make noise with much less pedal travel. Endeavor to mark the position of balance wheel in relation to camshaft prior to removing it. This is to avoid disproportion when the balance wheel is reinstalled.
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