No Pilot Bearing
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 6
From: Palm Beach
No Pilot Bearing
Does anyone make parts for this orphan trans? First it is no flywheels, then no stud ball and locks.
Now I see that the throwout bearing is discontinued too. Incredible.
Makes me want to unload the car.
Now I see that the throwout bearing is discontinued too. Incredible.
Makes me want to unload the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 196
From: folsom california
I feel your pain;
Am collecting parts for a clutch and flywheel swap for my 96LT4;
got my flywheel and clutch disc and plate from SPEC Inc.; they have too many combinations to list here;
got a new GM clutch fork (10085210) $141.62 and new GM clutch fork stud ball (10227809) $44.09 from vpartsinc;
got a new GM throw out bearing (10222087) from ecklers (item # 50583), $89.99 ;
got a new GM throwout bearing collar retaining clip (10111569) $13.49from vpartsinc;
got a new GM roller pilot bearing (14061685) from summit, $14.88
it was difficult; I spent more than a little time tracking all this stuff down, but all the vendors listed above came through. Good luck on your project.
perhaps later you could be kind enough to post a synopsis of your experiences in doing the actual clutch change out.
good luck
Am collecting parts for a clutch and flywheel swap for my 96LT4;
got my flywheel and clutch disc and plate from SPEC Inc.; they have too many combinations to list here;
got a new GM clutch fork (10085210) $141.62 and new GM clutch fork stud ball (10227809) $44.09 from vpartsinc;
got a new GM throw out bearing (10222087) from ecklers (item # 50583), $89.99 ;
got a new GM throwout bearing collar retaining clip (10111569) $13.49from vpartsinc;
got a new GM roller pilot bearing (14061685) from summit, $14.88
it was difficult; I spent more than a little time tracking all this stuff down, but all the vendors listed above came through. Good luck on your project.
perhaps later you could be kind enough to post a synopsis of your experiences in doing the actual clutch change out.
good luck
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Wow, absolutely insane! I would bet that ZF's will be very rare in another 10-years, and there will be a lot of C4's either changing to auto's or going to TKO's or Richmond's.
BTW, there are companies that make custom Pilot Bearings.
BTW, there are companies that make custom Pilot Bearings.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I've found I have to ask Superior to check their discontinued warehouse for some things.
I got mine a about 4-5 mos ago for $10. Special order thru Superior. Didn't ask where it came from tho.
Does that mean you paid $30?
I got mine a about 4-5 mos ago for $10. Special order thru Superior. Didn't ask where it came from tho.
Does that mean you paid $30?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Thread title is close enough for another question I was going to post.
Believe it or not, I got my ZF out, Fork out, Bell housing off, plus clutch/DFM too. Never saw the pilot/throw out bearing.
Where's it go?
BTW: I have 2 bearings. I ordered the rifled/fluted one (from GM) that ZFDoc recommends. Plus, I got one with my clutch kit.
Believe it or not, I got my ZF out, Fork out, Bell housing off, plus clutch/DFM too. Never saw the pilot/throw out bearing.
Where's it go?
BTW: I have 2 bearings. I ordered the rifled/fluted one (from GM) that ZFDoc recommends. Plus, I got one with my clutch kit.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
Got a throwout bearing from Spec. Can also get them from Carolina Clutch, as well as many other places
Pilot bushing is typical SBC
GREGPENN...pilot bearing goes in the end of the crankshaft, Throwout bearing goes with the pressure plate
Pilot bushing is typical SBC
GREGPENN...pilot bearing goes in the end of the crankshaft, Throwout bearing goes with the pressure plate
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
The pressure plate just has a hole in the center, the clutch plate is splined. The DMF also has a larger hole (similar to the pressure plate). Doesn't seem like any of those would need a bushing. But, I didn't look at the end of the crank -- in either the old motor or the new.
So, it's recessed? Does that bearing press easily in there? Can it fall out during assembly?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Brass ones I freeze...then put a touch of synth oil on, should press right in with your thumb albeit hard. Never was able to drive them in without hurting them but only a few times. No it wont fall out.
Maybe not the best method but it worked over here.
Maybe not the best method but it worked over here.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Sounds like sliding it over the tip of the trans shaft won't work.
Also sounds like the trans shaft spins in the bearing (with clutch pressed in). If it requires lube, how does it STAY lubed?
Is lithium grease good for that?
Also sounds like the trans shaft spins in the bearing (with clutch pressed in). If it requires lube, how does it STAY lubed?
Is lithium grease good for that?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
Oil impregnated bronze.I tried the bearing once instead of the bushing. Oh man, have you ever tried to remove one of those...while the engine is in the car. What a PITA. I'm staying with bushings.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 111
From: Cherokee National Forest TN
Method to remove pilot bearings without damage or if you do not have a slide hammer.
Use a short piece of round bar stock that fits snugly in the pilot bearing bore. Or a long large diameter bolt that fits & cut the threads off of it. You want a 90 degree edge on the end that will go into the bore.
Insert the end of a grease gun in the bearing bore & pack the recess behind the bearing full of grease.
Insert the tool & give it a sharp rap with a good size hammer. The bearing will move out of the crank a bit by hydraulic pressure. Repack with more grease & repeat the process until the bearing is removed.
Use a short piece of round bar stock that fits snugly in the pilot bearing bore. Or a long large diameter bolt that fits & cut the threads off of it. You want a 90 degree edge on the end that will go into the bore.
Insert the end of a grease gun in the bearing bore & pack the recess behind the bearing full of grease.
Insert the tool & give it a sharp rap with a good size hammer. The bearing will move out of the crank a bit by hydraulic pressure. Repack with more grease & repeat the process until the bearing is removed.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 6
From: Palm Beach
Method to remove pilot bearings without damage or if you do not have a slide hammer.
Use a short piece of round bar stock that fits snugly in the pilot bearing bore. Or a long large diameter bolt that fits & cut the threads off of it. You want a 90 degree edge on the end that will go into the bore.
Insert the end of a grease gun in the bearing bore & pack the recess behind the bearing full of grease.
Insert the tool & give it a sharp rap with a good size hammer. The bearing will move out of the crank a bit by hydraulic pressure. Repack with more grease & repeat the process until the bearing is removed.
Use a short piece of round bar stock that fits snugly in the pilot bearing bore. Or a long large diameter bolt that fits & cut the threads off of it. You want a 90 degree edge on the end that will go into the bore.
Insert the end of a grease gun in the bearing bore & pack the recess behind the bearing full of grease.
Insert the tool & give it a sharp rap with a good size hammer. The bearing will move out of the crank a bit by hydraulic pressure. Repack with more grease & repeat the process until the bearing is removed.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 6
From: Palm Beach
Does this vpartsinc have anymore of the stud *****? My clutch still has alot of miles on it. I am stockpiling parts. The actual clutch swap is nothing out of the ordinary. My trans output shaft didn't want to come out of the clutch. Took alot of persuading. Be careful of the aluminum insulators ( look like gaskets-one between trans and bellhousing and one between bellhousing and block..) They are made of unobtanium.
EDIT: I found a stud ball and the lock on vparts.inc. ZFDOC had told me about them but I had forgotten about it. They are a clearing house for NOS parts.
Cool!! You made my day!!
Did you go with a single mass flywheel?
Last edited by MK 82; Apr 22, 2010 at 11:15 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
Method to remove pilot bearings without damage or if you do not have a slide hammer.
Use a short piece of round bar stock that fits snugly in the pilot bearing bore. Or a long large diameter bolt that fits & cut the threads off of it. You want a 90 degree edge on the end that will go into the bore.
Insert the end of a grease gun in the bearing bore & pack the recess behind the bearing full of grease.
Insert the tool & give it a sharp rap with a good size hammer. The bearing will move out of the crank a bit by hydraulic pressure. Repack with more grease & repeat the process until the bearing is removed.
Use a short piece of round bar stock that fits snugly in the pilot bearing bore. Or a long large diameter bolt that fits & cut the threads off of it. You want a 90 degree edge on the end that will go into the bore.
Insert the end of a grease gun in the bearing bore & pack the recess behind the bearing full of grease.
Insert the tool & give it a sharp rap with a good size hammer. The bearing will move out of the crank a bit by hydraulic pressure. Repack with more grease & repeat the process until the bearing is removed.
This technique, in my experience, does not work for pilot bearings.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
I never tried the grease method but it sounds very doable.They do make pullers to get the old pilot bushings out: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0070921x00003a
The only time these don't work well if the origional bushing was bottomed out all the way back into the crank though.
You and freeze the new busing to reduce the diameter or you can just bang it home.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,204
Likes: 4
From: Midland Georgia
St. Jude Donor '06
. The bearing never moved 
and I ended up all slick and greasy! 
Took and hour to clean up the mess! 
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
I use the grease method, but I use a Metric socket that is a slip fit in the Pilot bearing ID,,,, I use a socket extension in the end, tap the end with a hammer, and them fill with more grease