Pilot Bearing or Kevlar Bushing
#1
Pilot Bearing or Kevlar Bushing
I have a 2000 F350 4X4 Crew Cab Short box with about 226,000 miles on it. This weekend I will be pulling the ZF6 transmission to do a clutch replacement due the clutch not releasing properly. I plan to use a LUK Clutch kit but I am leaning toward using a South Bend Kevlar pilot bushing. What are the current thoughts about using the Kevlar pilot bearing over the standard needle pilot bearing? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!
#2
#3
Having vehicles with both, needle bearings (with appropriate oil seal to hold in grease and keep out dirt) lasted way longer. Also if replacing a bearing with bushing, the input shaft will eventually wear unless the conversion includes a wear sleeve so new input shaft will be required at some point.
#4
Thanks for the replies!!! I did get the transmission out due to the clutch disk hub cracking and the dampener spring falling out locking the clutch up. Upon inspection the input shaft does have some galling on it from the factory pilot bearing failing. From the feedback received and read online the kevlar bushing is not the ultimate solution. Since the input shaft has some damage I opted to order the Fitzall ZF input shaft repair sleeve. The kit comes with a needle bearing that fits into the stock bore of the flywheel. I may also look to see if I can find a larger sealed roller bearing that I could use for a pilot bearing with the repair sleeve. If I can locate one I will then have the flywheel bored out to accept the larger diameter sealed bearing.
#6
If you use the open style needle bearing, I have found that high end commercial marine grease will stay put and last a very long time. You should be able to get it from any industrial marine service shop. It's very expensive, but you only need a small amount. It's designed to stay put in high temps even under low pressure water intrusion so inside your bell housing it will be content to hang out almost forever. We used to use it on manual transmission Jeeps that saw heavy clutch loads while rock crawling combined with deep water crossings to lube the input shaft splines where the clutch disc slides during disengagement as well as the pilot bushings and it worked wonders.
#7
Trending Topics
#8
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Tartersauce53
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
23
06-22-2017 08:24 PM
OldWoodsDiesel
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
5
08-31-2013 07:50 AM
Eallend7
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
16
11-19-2012 05:48 AM
Scummer52
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
09-23-2011 06:47 PM
88grandmarquis
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
26
11-25-2004 02:59 PM