To Grease Pilot Bushing or not??

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May 28, 2003 | 09:51 PM

Clink69

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Sep 2000

Posts: 1,355

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From: Germantown Maryland

To Grease Pilot Bushing or not??

Well I am down to the install of new flywheel, clutch, PP, linkage. I hear the cause of early clutch failure can be NO lube on Pilot bushing??? Can't the grease , if not lightly applied , get on the clutch??

I am getting comflicting responses from different folks I consider experts. One says use High temp grease on Pilot bushing, Ball Stub and TO channel. Another oil to install. Previous installer put nothing on Pilot bushing.

What is correct???

May 28, 2003 | 10:37 PM

Eddie 70

Race Director

Joined: Feb 1999

Posts: 19,659

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From: Lenoir City Tennessee

Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran

St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15

Re: To Grease Pilot Bushing or not?? (Clink69)

I don`t know what is correct but I got my old one out with grease so when the new one went in we put a little in. Just don`t put too much.

May 28, 2003 | 10:40 PM

yellow 72

Le Mans Master

Joined: Apr 2000

Posts: 5,202

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From: cincinnati ohio

St. Jude Donor '09

Re: To Grease Pilot Bushing or not?? (Clink69)

I wipe a thin coating of a synthetic grease on the inside of the bushing and pack a small amount behind it...it will wick up as needed.
There is nothing that sounds quite as nasty as a dry pilot bushing...not to mention the damage that will insue.

Mike :cheers:

May 28, 2003 | 10:43 PM

PROSOUTH

Drifting

Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 1,987

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From: Manchester, Dead Center in the Middle of TN 25 miles to Jack Daniels,10 miles to Geo Dickle, and .8 mile from the Liquor Store at I-24 Exit 114

St. Jude Donor '05

Re: To Grease Pilot Bushing or not?? (yellow 72)

:iagree: JIM :seeya

May 28, 2003 | 11:45 PM

Steve Straus

Safety Car

Joined: Sep 2000

Posts: 4,679

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From: Charles Town WV

Re: To Grease Pilot Bushing or not?? (Clink69)

I don't usually oil the bushing, but I soak the bushing in a cup of oil for about a day, then install it. It's made of scintered bronze and will soak up oil like a sponge, it's porous.

May 29, 2003 | 12:23 PM

robert kirk

Racer

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 415

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From: mauriceville texas

Re: To Grease Pilot Bushing or not?? (Steve Straus)

steve is right, i have been doing it this way for over 25 years and never a problem. robert

May 29, 2003 | 09:56 PM

Rockn-Roll

Melting Slicks

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 3,407

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From: Carmichael CA

Re: To Grease Pilot Bushing or not?? (Clink69)

If you just use oil then it won't be long before the bearing dries out and starts to create friction and heat and wear. Grease is basically solid oil. There is a groove behind the bushing where you need to pack some grease. When the oil that is on the bushing dries out then it will heat up and "melt" some of the grease which then flows out to the bearing and cools it back down. I always pack grease behind my pilot bushings and have never had any clutch slippage or any signs of grease leaking out, nor any signs of wear in my bearings. I wish I could analyse it more, but let's just say it's like magic...pack some grease behind your pilot bushing and you won't have to worry about it ever again.