Clutch questions

[Wellmud]

I have a 96 4.0 4x4 5 spd., the last couple of weeks it has been progressively getting harder to get in gear, not wanting to go into gear rolling down the road, the next time you get in and go it will shift perfect, it seems to get worse after it runs a while. Master cyl. is not and has not been low on fluid, no leaks. If i hold the clutch in and hold pressure on the shifter it will drop in gear after about 5 seconds, once in gear it does not try to pull or creep. After doing some searching on here I have come to the conclusion that it is prob. the pilot bearing. Any oppinions, am I on the right track?
All of the older ones I have torn apart were just a brass bushing, Is this one a roller bearing or something? If it is the bearing, I intend to pull the trans. and t-case in one piece, is it possible for it to clear the y pipe? Thanks for any oppinions and advice-Wellmud

 

[ati190]

it would be easier to remove the y pipe from what I hear, and what I've seen on my own. You need to drop the trans to replace the pilot bearing, as its in the center of the flywheel. While you are in there, you should replace both pilot bearing + the slave. Slaves are known to go. When my pilot bearing went bad, I had the same issue of getting in gear. I had to shut the truck off, at every stop light or sign to put it in gear to get going. I drove it like that for a little while, and ended up destroying to shift forks.


ati190

 

[Wellmud]

It would definately be easier to remove the y pipe, I just worry about opening up a can of worms breaking bolts off in the manifold. I think somebody may have changed the slave before I bought it because they hacked out the y pipe and cobb welded it back together, and I can tell the bell housing bolts have been wrenched on.

 

[ItsA5Spd]

the y pipe should just be a nut and a bolt. I don't think that they will get stuck in he manifold even if you snap them. they should just pull right out once th nut is off. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.