I am getting ready to do my clutch. A couple people have suggested I replace the pilot bearing. Since it was only $5 I went ahead and ordered it.

The tool to remove it I am having some trouble finding. How hard is it to remove? Is there a way to do it without the tool. Is it necessary that I change it? ...and so on.

I have to order the alignment tool as well so if there is a place that sells both that would help.

 

There is nothing to change. The input shaft of the tranny does not engage the crankshaft. I think there is a bushing in there, but maybe it's in there for use on other vehicles that use it.

Dave

 

There is a pilot bearing on the Maxima. How useful it is can certainly be debated, BUT, that is not the question here. Most autoparts stores should have a pilot bearing remover you can either buy or rent from them. If you cannot find a pilot bearing remover try to find a slide hammer, it works just as well if not better.

 

Well I rented a slide hammer but the attachments are too big to fit inside the bearing. I will have too look again for the bearing remover.

You said "How useful it is can certainly be debated." Am I to take that as meaning I probably don't need to change it? If that is the case I can happily eat the $5 the bearing cost rather than pursue a tool I am probably only going to use this one time.

 

Well I'm not an engineer, I wouldn't tell anyone not to use it. However, there have been a number of people who have done 5spd swaps on their auto's who have not installed a pilot bushing. These people have said they experienced no problems from doing so. I guess it comes down to how comfortable you feel about it. I have several autoparts stores that rent them out around me, so I have never had a problem getting them out. The spacer in the crank on an auto is a real PITA though, and a slide hammer works much better for that.

 

You dont need a clutch alignment tool. Get the end of a broom stick that fits through the clutch hole and line it up then tighten the pressue plate up and then eyeball it to see if it lined up with the pilot bearing. I did this and it turned out fine.

 

He's not worried about a clutch alignment tool, he's worried about replacing his old pilot bearing. Did you read the post?

 

He also said he needed a clutch alignment tool and I told him how to avoid buying one.

 

Is this subject still going? Forget pilot bushings. This tranny doesn't use them.

 

Yeah I'm waiting for my trans oil so I haven't done it yet. I ordered the alignment tool, total $10 shipped so it can't hurt to have it. If the oil gets here ahead of the tool I might just do it without it but I figure the alignment tool was a good thing to have.

Anyway, it sounds like I don't need to worry about the pilot bushing so I won't be looking for the extractor.

Unfortunately I didn't order the oil at the same time as my clutch parts. I thought I could get it at Autozone or some place but no go. So now I wait.

 

I didn't change mine when i did my clutch and haven't had any problems....you couldn't find gear oil at Autozone? I got mine there....

 

Not the right kind as per the transmission fluid sticky in the fluids forum.