Date:         Sun, 8 Jun 2003 16:14:09 -0700
Reply-To:     mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: question regarding clutch bearings and shifting problems
Comments: To: mostd@JUNO.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Yes. The main purpose of the bearing is to allow the engine to turn at a
different speed that the tranny input shaft. If the bearing is seized
the tranny shaft will turn whenever the crankshaft is turning. Since
both shafts turn together anyway when you are in neutral with the clutch
pedal released the suspect pilot bearing is not needed at that time. It
is also not needed when in gear and the vehicle is moving with the
clutch pedal released. It's main use is when the vehicle is stopped in
gear and the engine is running. That is what wears it out. Some people
sit at stop lights with the clutch pedal down and the tranny in gear.
Doing that forces this bearing to work that whole time and shortens it's
life. It also does some work when you are shifting gears and have the
clutch pedal down and if you make it a habit to coast in gear while
holding the clutch down that will also require the bearing to do work.

The pilot bearing is a little tiny needle bearing. It gets no
lubrication it's whole life other than what it is given by the mechanic
who puts it in. When you idle at a light with the tranny still in gear
this poor bearing spins at 1000 rpm the whole time. It is amazing that
they last as long as they do when driven properly but holding down the
clutch while idling wears them out. They usually make noise long before
they get so bad as to completely seize.

Mark


David Most wrote:
>
> If the pilot bearing is seized, would I still be able to start the engine
> with the gear shift in neutral and just let it idle?
>
>