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A little concerned about my pilot bushing

crustycurmudgeon

crustycurmudgeon

Well-Known Member
Before I installed my pilot bushing, I checked the clearance of the clutch alignment tool and it slipped into the bushing smoothly with no binding at all. After installing the bushing into the crankshaft the tool went in about halfway then bound up, though I could tap it in all the way with a hammer. The next day I tried the tool again and it wouldn’t go in at all without tapping with the hammer. :wtf I mic’ed the tool and the input shaft and the shaft is nearly .001” smaller than the tool so there’s a tiny bit more clearance there. Is this something I need to worry about, or will it loosen up a bit upon startup?

Frank
 
IIRC I am pretty sure we had to machine our pilot down to the correct size on the T5 in the 67.

It has been so long ago, I can't remember.

If it is too tight when you start the car it may bind or may not even turn over if it is too tight. If it binds I think you could damage the input shaft on the trans.

Mel
 
That's what ya get for not going with the bearing... lol J/K. is there some dirt, or is the ID scored?

check the chamfer on the pilot shaft. stone it and polish it with scotch brite
 
Toss the bushing and install a bearing. I've never had a problem with mine.
 
I've still got the junkyard T5 that I got a few years ago. I'll pull the input shaft from that and see if it fits the bushing.

Frank
 
Frank,
I don't remember which type came with my setup from Modern Driveline so I called and they confirm that it is a bearing.
 
Craig was wondering if the bush is bushy enough for you.

a6cd8bfe-5817-dd1e.jpg
 
Re: A little concerned about my pilot bushing - UPDATED

Yep, bushing is out and the bearing is going in tomorrow. I learned a few things in my internet searching over the last few days. Has anyone heard of magnetic bronze? I hadn't either. Apparently, most "bronze" pilot bushings these days have iron mixed in with the bronze! They wear out faster and can weld themselves to the pilot shaft. Both of the bushings I got are highly magnetic. :wtf Oh, and it's a moot point but the fit would have been fine. I test-fit the pilot shaft out of my junkyard T5 and it slid right in.

I tried to use a puller to get the new bushing out--didn't budge, but the puller ripped itself out of the bushing. Then I resorted to the grease method and it came right out. I have a feeling my old bushing would have come out with the grease if I had used a bigger hammer.

IF anyone uses a "bronze" bushing, check it with a magnet first.

Frank
 
I tapped my room temp bearing in, no problem. (no sex jokes please)
 
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