So I wonder what happens with the trans when the pilot bearing is out. I was replacing my LS7 setup with a Monster 3 and was about to replace the pilot bearing that the kit came with. I fingered the back of the crank and realized I never had one in the whole time I have had my 408. Its installed now, but I wonder what that would cause? Maybe that was always my WOT shifting problem.

 

The pilot bearing is one of the most important parts in the equation of how a manual transmission works. Its job is to support the end of the input shaft and keep it running true and straight. Imagine the amoung of force generated by an 11" or 12" clutch disc spinning several thousand rpms. Without a pilot bearing, you can have all sorts of issues. Most common are grinding in 4th gear, popping out of 4th gear, leaks from the front seal, input shaft running out of alignment with the cluster thus resulting in gear whine or popping teeth off the gears, wearing out the 4th gear syncro ring and several other shifting related issues you would experience with a clutch not working properly.

 

Good thing I caught it.