27 replies to this topic

[Brendan O]

cool - thanks

[Brendan O]

Is there a trick to inserting the pilot bearing in the flywheel while keeping it straight? I have ruined two bearings now (a Nachi that came with ACT clutch kit and a NAPA one that was $19 !!). I tap them gently with a hammer to get them going into hole in flywheel but they seem to start going in skewed until they bind against flywheel. Then I have to try punch them out from other side of flywheel which ruins the sidewall "dust shield" of the pilot bearing. After two attempts, there are minor "bind" marks on the surface of hole in the flywheel. Should I use a bit of sand paper? Prob wont do anything since its steel. I just can't seem to get the pilot bearing to go in straight.

[dstevens]

Emery will knock the edges off of steel. I'd start with somewhere between 50-100 grit. Check the flywheel for scoring or a groove at the top that may have created a lip that binds when you insert it. I've only been in my 90 Miata but I've been in several others and have never had to use hard force for a pilot bearing. You can also measure and see if the pilot bearing seat has gone out of round. Something is up if it's binding. If it too bad you can have it turned at a machine shop. Just make sure you still meet the min weight.

The preferred way to drive bearings if needed is with a bearing driver. You can (and I do many times) use a socket that drives the outer lip only. If it presses on the seal, as you have found, the bearing can be toast.

The NAPA was 19 bucks? WOW. Almost twice as much as Mazdaspeed. Our local NAPA is an independent franchise (Cheyenne Auto Parts) so we have parts and pricing not found he company stores. The Koyo online is just over 5 bucks at NAPA.

[Jim Boemler]

The trick is simply to have the bearing square when you push it in. If you're having trouble by hand, you could lay the flywheel on your drill press table, with a properly-sized socket over it, and use the flat end of the drill chuck to press the bearing in. If it takes more pressure than that, something's wrong.

[Brendan O]

ok - i will try one more time by hand using light taps with rubber hammer (being really careful to keep straight) and if it still binds, i will take to a shop with a drill press

thanks guys

[Jim Boemler]

Sorry Brandon, just assumed you had a drill press. Bad assumption, obviously. If you try it with a piece of wood, try using a large piece, which is easier to keep parallel to the flywheel. A one-foot-square piece of plywood would be perfect.

[Brendan O]

Jim, After work yesterday I went to HD and bought some 12"x12" plywood and it worked MUCH better. Very easy to see which way the bearing is tilting as it goes in such that the tilt can be fixed by hitting appropriate section of plywood. I got it in with very little trouble and what looks like pristine dust shields.

You sir, are a genius.

thanks !!

[Jim Boemler]

No genius, just made lots of my own mistakes. Glad you got it going, Brendan.