Pilot bearing question....
Hahahaha! I'm with ya on that. Even though I am a fan of the "overrated by most" Royal Purple. Since teh Royal Purple got started by a guy pretty local to me, got to support him
OK, my Step-father (a retired GM / ASE certified Master Mechanic) chimed in on this one, and (like me) said pilot bearings are an upgrade over bushings, but he has serious reservations about installing either dry.
He stated: "Would you install a wheel bearing dry?" (No) Then why even consider installing a pilot bearing dry?
To me, his logic is unquestionable and sound.
Again, I could be wrong, I'm just trying to keep a guy from trashing his tranny...
He stated: "Would you install a wheel bearing dry?" (No) Then why even consider installing a pilot bearing dry?
To me, his logic is unquestionable and sound.
Again, I could be wrong, I'm just trying to keep a guy from trashing his tranny...
I always add a dab of wheelbearing greast to the input shaft tip, as teh "bearing" that I use already has teh grease inside teh bearing. I also just LIGHTLY coat the outside of teh bearing, to help in installation.
really just about any type of grease will be fine. But I normally use a high temp wheel bearing grease
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Tulsa, OK
TECH Addict
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,012
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From: Tulsa, OK
OK fleetmgr, I respect your position, but as a former GM Powertrain Transmission Calibration Engineer, I have indeed seen one; only one, but I have seen one. IMHO, that is reason enough to add the $0.02 worth of lubricant.
Also, you yourself stated: " ...you put in a new bushing, with grease; you then button it up and forget about it for the next 2,3,4, or 5 years until you pull the tranny..."
That's exactly what you should do, install it with grease!
Yes, I agree, the grease will NOT last forever, but neither will the oil which in associated with oil impregnated bronze. Additionally, the faster the bushing spins, the quicker the oil is drawn from the bronze. That's why there are Mark's Handbook Engineering Specifications on what minimum rotational speed requires additional lubrication over and above the oil in the bronze.
I do not want this to digress any further, I'm just trying to help "gmmusclecarman" from trashing his T56's Input Shaft, nothing more, nothing less.
Also, you yourself stated: " ...you put in a new bushing, with grease; you then button it up and forget about it for the next 2,3,4, or 5 years until you pull the tranny..."
That's exactly what you should do, install it with grease!
Yes, I agree, the grease will NOT last forever, but neither will the oil which in associated with oil impregnated bronze. Additionally, the faster the bushing spins, the quicker the oil is drawn from the bronze. That's why there are Mark's Handbook Engineering Specifications on what minimum rotational speed requires additional lubrication over and above the oil in the bronze.
I do not want this to digress any further, I'm just trying to help "gmmusclecarman" from trashing his T56's Input Shaft, nothing more, nothing less.
Now with all that being said, do you remember what grease GM uses for this? NGLI #2..#3? Back in the day I used to use distributor cam grease. I'm sure that the maxim of anything is better than nothing applies, but what is the right stuff?
Last edited by fleetmgr; Jul 11, 2009 at 08:55 AM.
Seems like the manual specifies a very light film of white lithium grease on the trans input shaft splines.
Every roller pilot I've ever bought came with grease already loaded into the rollers. I usually add a light film of brake caliper grease on the trans input shaft stub where it slides into the pilot.
Every roller pilot I've ever bought came with grease already loaded into the rollers. I usually add a light film of brake caliper grease on the trans input shaft stub where it slides into the pilot.
Im going to go and disagree here, Im pretty abusive to my car, and all I have ever used is bearings. Replacing it with a bushing just seems like a band aid.. I replace my bearing at every clutch install, I believe you should... Its cheap insurance. And there is quite a bit of load on the input shaft, every time you engage/disengage the clutch...
