I was talking with a Corvette friend, and he explained to me that he replaced the pilot bushing with a pilot bearing. Of course I thought of the same line of the Maxima. I got a new bushing, but am wondering if there is any benefit in using a bearing?

Not really. If you use a bearing it will be a needle bearing type. Very nice but then again, when I looked to replace my pilot shaft bearing, the id was identical to the new one. So I left mine in. It really only gets used when you press in the clutch. In fact I don't think they even offer a bearing instead of a bushing for the maxima.

I looked at my old one, and it looked alright. I suppose I didnt even have to change it, but for the $2 or so it cost, I figure it couldnt hurt.