[JordanRivers]

One day, when I depressed the clutch while in gear I heard chirping. I knew it was likely a clutch problem. The next day, I had to go somewhere and planned on addressing the clutch situation the next day. I didn't make it. When I stopped for gas I tried to put it in reverse and the car lurched backward as soon as I got it in and there was a very loud clunk/slam sound. I take trans out and throwout bearing is still good. Clutch doesn't look to have too bad of finger wear(all even and light). Clutch disc is well used and flywheel is definately well used. Pilot bearing is totally destroyed. The needles in the bearing all just fell out. This normal? Anyone have this happen? It doesn't look as though the flywheel was resurfaced when I had a shop do it 2 1/2 yrs ago(only 60k since then). Are these symptoms of that? Could this have harmed the crank? or trans? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[escortrestorer]

It happens. You probably dont have any engine or trans damage.

Failing to resurface the flywheel will wear out your clutch faster, so I suppose you could have additional wear on your throw out bearing or your pilot bearing, however I would suggest a more likely scenario.

I would imagine that whomever swapped clutches previously, if to cheap to turn the clutch, they were probably also to cheap to press out the pilot bearing and replace it.

 

[DakotaLynx]

Yeah the problem is that they are needle bearings, rather than the standard brass bushing. They just don't last.

The pilot bearing in my '97 wagon did the same thing last october. I ended up just swapping the entire clutch with a nice NAPA kit. I didn't like the rubber shock dampners in the clutch plate anyhow. (Every replacement clutch I have seen has the more common metal spring dampners.) The kits come with needle bearings as well, but if you pack them well with EP grease you should be okay. If mine fails again, I'll probably try replacing finding a suitable brass bushing.

Getting the transmission out of the car is... less than fun. That said, I would highly reccoment doing the job right. Buy yourself a clutch kit with a redesigned clutch plate, a pressure plate, bearings, and alignment tool. Get the flywheel resurfaced, and replace the rear main seal while you are at it. You'll save yourself a lot of headaches down the road, and it's one less thing to worry about. At the VERY least, replace the pilot bearing and the rear main seal while you have it apart.

~Dakota

 

[cklaubur]

I just recently replaced the pilot bearing on my '97 a week ago. This makes the second time I've replaced the bearing. The first time, I replaced the entire clutch, but this time, I just replaced the bearing since the clutch had very little wear on it (it had barely even been a year!). The crank and the transmission input shaft were fine.

Both times mine failed, the car would not shift into gear from a stop. I could step on the clutch and it would disengage, but since the pilot bearing had failed, it would drag the input shaft along with the crank, preventing me from shifting. Honestly, I'm surprised you even got it to shift to reverse.

Since you mentioned that the clutch and flywheel were worn, I'd go ahead and replace the clutch and turn or replace the flywheel.

Casey