Pilot bearing or bushing

[1992gen1_fan]

Hello, I have the transmission and everything out of the truck so I can fix the rear main seal and pan seal ect.. I haven't pulled the clutch off yet but I figured while the clutch is off I'd replace the pilot bushing while its appart.

This is my first time working on a clutch, I went to order a new pilot bushing and noticed there was a pilot bearing (needle bearing) and a pilot bushing (Brass or bronz) bushing available on rock auto.

Do these have both or just one or the other? And if they're interchangeable, which one is better?

Thanks

[ellis93]

Never fooled with a bearing in the flywheel,it's always been a bushing.....bronze. Soak it in oil the night before to let it pull in some lube.
The aftermarket flywheels like south bend offers,has a seal ball bearing pilot.....those are really nice.

[1992gen1_fan]

Ok, I'll get a bronze bushing and soak it in oil then, thanks

[1992gen1_fan]

Bought a bronze pilot bushing, I'll put it in oil until I get ready to install it to make sure it soaks in

[dpuckett]

I dont think the bushing and braring are interchangeable. I have a sealed ball bearing pilot from South Bend. Had to get my flywheel machined to fit, but it has done its job.

[1992gen1_fan]

Yea I see now that it just depends on the flywheel to what pilot bearing or bushing you have. Got the new bushing installed, old one was about gone

[1992gen1_fan]

Yea I see now that it just depends on the flywheel to what pilot bearing or bushing you have. Got the new bushing installed, old one was about gone

[PToombs]

I put in a needle bearing instead of a bushing, it was the same size, no machining required. Only the roller bearings need the flywheel opened up.

[1992gen1_fan]

Well maybe if I ever have it appart again (hopefully not for a while) I'll try a needle bearing instead

[thrashingcows]

I personally don't much care for the bearings. What I don't like is that if the bearing begins to fail the hardened surface will start to cut into you input shaft....seen this happen more then once. But with the bronze bushing, it the bushing that wears out, and the input shaft is not damaged.

[BobS]

I personally don't much care for the bearings. What I don't like is that if the bearing begins to fail the hardened surface will start to cut into you input shaft....seen this happen more then once. But with the bronze bushing, it the bushing that wears out, and the input shaft is not damaged.

I also agree with this. The bronze bushing is considered as a wear item. The needle bearing is a run or fail item which also has no means to relubricate unless you remove the transmission. With the past history mentioned on here of the common slight mis alignment of the Getrag transmission to bellhousing to engine adapter/flywheel housing I would rather replace a $2 bronze bushing rather than trying to locate a new replacement transmission input shaft.

[1992gen1_fan]

Good point. The bushing is less parts to come appart and get into the clutch also.