Date:         Sun, 8 Jun 2003 23:36:02 +0000
Reply-To:     Chris DeLong <green536@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chris DeLong <green536@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: question regarding clutch bearings and shifting problems
Comments: To: drillock@EARTHLINK.NET
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

*sounds of large audience clapping*

Thank you Mark! What a fine presentation of factual evidence supported by
real life situations. Good clarification there!

*steps to side of podium and claps*



Chris DeLong
Fine Tuning
206.367.5503
www.finetuningperformance.com
Seattle, WA USA





>From: mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
>Reply-To: mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: question regarding clutch bearings and shifting problems
>Date: Sun, 8 Jun 2003 16:14:09 -0700
>
>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?
> >
> >

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