Hmmmm, last weekend, I did a transectomy on my '68 ragtop, PG to Muncie. I went and forgot to smear a dab of grease on the input shaft and pilot bushing. Is this gonna be a horribly bad thing? I'd hate to pull the trans again, but if I must, now is the time... Thanks

I didn't think you were supposed to grease the pilot bushing. It seems like some of the grease could get flung out onto the flywheel or clutch disc.

I have never greased the ones I have installed and they have typically lasted for 3-4 years before needing to be replaced. Of course, if a pilot bushing is supposed to last longer that that, maybe I need to start greasing them.

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Hugger Orange & white 69 Camaro with supercharged 350, Tremec TKO, and 3.73 12-bolt

See my new and improved website at:

www.geocities.com/gheatly (http://www.geocities.com/gheatly)

Lets put it this way...would you want any other bushings in your car not to be lubricated? http://www.camaros.net/forum/frown.gif Think of the RPM that little shaft turns and with no lube it will reduce its normal service life.
The answer is yes, it needs lubrication.
I use a very small amount of high temp wheel bearing greese. Nice and thick and sticky. Do not put too much in the area for it will sling all over the place. When I drove my 69 as a daily driver for about 6 years and about 30,000 miles back in college I put a new bearing in when I bought the old tin can back in 1986 and when I put a new engine a few years back, the bearing still looked new. They should last a long time with proper care.

Not putting any lube on it is not a crime for its not really a load bearing surface like a wheel bearing, but next time, lube it up! http://www.camaros.net/forum/biggrin.gif

Thanks, guys. Yes, Toby, I usually put a tab of wheel bearing grease on these. Greatly, it's good to here that you never have, and they last a few years. (with a dab of grease, they'll last forever.) So it's settled, I ain't gonna pull the trans. It'll live until I tear the car down for a total resto.

I disagree Toby, the pilot bushing bears an extreme load. Its job is to hold up the end of the input shaft. Just imagine what happens when you rev the engine up to 6 grand and pop the clutch.

It has been real close the 4 year mark so I don't really remember. But, I think Lakewood's pilot bushing is self lubricating.

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Hugger Orange & white 69 Camaro with supercharged 350, Tremec TKO, and 3.73 12-bolt

See my new and improved website at:

www.geocities.com/gheatly (http://www.geocities.com/gheatly)

Last I checked with both the local parts shop and the Chevy dealer they said DO NOT lube pilot bushings. They are made of bronze and are "self lubricating". The only time I have ever lubed one in over 30 years of changing clutches and trannies was on an AMC Eagle (yes, I'm ashamed to admit owning one but it was the ex-hag, uh I mean ex-wife's car). The Eagle actually had a little felt pad inside the bushing that you put a drop of oil on. Of course, it just drained out onto the flywheel and screwed up the clutch - typical AMC IMHO.

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Scott
'69 400SB, Richmond 5-speed; '99 HD Road King Classic
www.geocities.com/sdenning1 (http://www.geocities.com/sdenning1)

Thanks, Rocky, I feel much better now. Car's gonna be done this weekend, but the weather's gonna be bad. Oh, Well!!!

Hey, how'd you guys determine your pilot bearing was worn? Also, did you get it out by packing the bore with grease and pounding in an input shaft to hydraulic it out or did you lever it out with a seal puller type of tool? Steve Laabs

Transmission loads are handled by the bearings in the case not the the pilot bearing. The load on the pilot bearing is small compared to the loads transmitted to the case bearings. Hence the difference in size and design. Using a very small amount of greese is good insurance to maintain the life of the bearing. The shaft doesnt need to be held up but rather a its used as a alignment guide, reducing vibration, keeping the shaft aligned during installation and under operating conditions. I received this information from a former GM engineer who current does desgin work for various drivelines for car teams around the world.

Steve,

I got mine out with the grease method. It worked like a charm. I just put some in the hole and used bolt sized close to the size of the hole you have in the bearing and gave it a whack.

Kel,
Thanks for the tip. You're right, the grease pushed the bearing right out. I just had to refill the grease once as the bearing came out and made a little room back there.
Steve Laabs