Do We Need A Pilot Bearing?

[JerryBee]

Hi, All.

My truck is a '92 4.0L 4x4 extended cab 5-speed manual. Wondering if I really need the pilot bearing? Seems like it's one more piece I have to line up with getting the tranny back in. Plus, if it fails it causes shifting problems. I have had 3 other manual transmission cars and none of them had a pilot bearing. Granted all had smaller engines.

So, your thoughts, opinions, and engineering ponderings are requested.

Thanks,

JB

 

[shane96ranger]

Yes, it is needed. It helps reduce vibration as well as stabilize the input shaft.

 

[Syritis]

Even on high HP motors i've built it's not absolutely required but it will put excess wear on your trans main bearing. I've hear of people making brass or delrin bushings that wont fail but it's not something that needs to be engineered to exact sizes otherwise it's spinning resistance might end up similar to that of a failed roller bearing.

 

[adsm08]

It really should be there. I got cheap on my last trans job on my own vehicle and didn't put one in, and I haven't had any issues, but I'm going to put it in in a few weeks when I pull the engine out.

 

[RonD]

Duct tape with some Lucas magic oil?

Put it in, input shaft need solid support at both ends to minimize wear

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

As long as you don't sit at stoplights with the clutch down all the time it should outlive your clutch.

 

[PlumCrazy]

They are dirt cheap..I see zero reason to skip it.lol Especially if the old one is already out.

 

[JerryBee]

Alrighty then. Thanks for the input.

JB

 

[PlumCrazy]

Alrighty then. Thanks for the input.

JB

Your input will thank you...

 

[Denisefwd93]

I'm late for the party as usual. We just got the engine and transmission split apart this weekend. I was surprised the M5OD input shaft Is not rigid, So that alone tells me it cannot run without a pilot bearing!
I don't even want to guess how much fun its going to be putting it all back together someday.

 

[JerryBee]

I'm late for the party as usual. We just got the engine and transmission split apart this weekend. I was surprised the M5OD input shaft Is not rigid, So that alone tells me it cannot run without a pilot bearing!
I don't even want to guess how much fun its going to be putting it all back together someday.

Just make sure the clutch disc is dead center on the pilot bearing. My problem was I didn't have the right size alignment tool. Pulled the tranny and lined things up by eye. Then put it back together.

Tip for you all: The plate needs to go back on before the flywheel does. There is a lip on the bottom of the u-shape and the slots that fit over the dowel pins are cut in such a way that they hold the plate in place. It does NOT slide in with the flywheel in place without some serious grinder modification.

JB

 

[96firephoenix]

Just make sure the plate is dead center on the pilot bearing. My problem was I didn't have the right size alignment tool. Pulled the tranny and lined things up by eye. Then put it back together.

Tip for you all: The plate needs to go back on before the flywheel does. There is a lip on the bottom of the u-shape and the slots that fit over the dowel pins are cut in such a way that they hold the plate in place. It does NOT slide in with the flywheel in place without some serious grinder modification.

JB

If you're talking about the inspection plate, I was able to get mine on after the flywheel. 2.3 engine, that had been apart at least once before, FWIW.

 

[JerryBee]

If you're talking about the inspection plate, I was able to get mine on after the flywheel. 2.3 engine, that had been apart at least once before, FWIW.

I am talking about the plate that goes between the bell housing and the engine block. In my original post I did state I have the 4.0L.

JB

 

[adsm08]

Tip for you all: The plate needs to go back on before the flywheel does. There is a lip on the bottom of the u-shape and the slots that fit over the dowel pins are cut in such a way that they hold the plate in place. It does NOT slide in with the flywheel in place without some serious grinder modification.

JB

That's not always true. The later plates can be taken on and off after the flywheel. I just put a brand new one in my BII that I was doing a 4.0 swap on, I couldn't keep the stupid thing from falling out while I was lining things up.