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!

 

It may not be cost effective since you need to change it every clutch replacement. .

 

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.

 

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.

 

If you use a sealed roller bearing, you shouldn't need the repair sleeve, since the bearings won't be riding directly on the input shaft.

 

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.

 

Excellent suggestion on the marine grease!!! Any particular brand you use or recommend? Any additional lube that can stay place is always good!

 

I wanted to use the repair sleeve since the input shaft nose is a little galled and has slight ridges. I figure installing the sleeve would provide a true smooth surface for the bearing to sit on.