niosy pilot bearing -- OK to drive?

Bob in SD · Mar 21, 2018

Thanks for all y'all's help diagnosing my noisy tranny/clutch yesterday (linked below). Since that's moved to Page 3, I thought I'd repost my follow up here.

Assuming the problem is a bad pilot bearing, or possibly a throw out bearing, how bad would it be to keep driving it for awhile before fixing it. Can I wait till May to fix it if I limit it to a max of 40 miles a week (very few shifts actually, about 2 miles in town/8 on two different highways, each way, once or twice a week). I guess the bearing is going to be replaced anyway, but I could mess up the tip of the shaft that rides in the bearing? I guess it could seize all the way up and I wouldn't be able to shift w/out frying the tranny?

I can do it myself in May, but would have to hire it done now. I could actually afford to hire it done if needed, but would rather take it to somebody that could diagnose the tranny once it's apart so we don't put in a new clutch and then have to go back in again later for a tranny issue. I can ride with my wife most days, but will have to drive myself once or twice a week.

Thanks,

Bob

Thanks,
problem discussion from yesterday on YTMAG

old · Mar 21, 2018

Decades ago I had a Dodge van that had a bad pilot bearing and I did not know it and it in turn cause the clutch to go out a few times. Once I knew what was wrong I fixed it and the clutch lasted till I sold it. So it could go for years that way or it could dump you at any time. Me I would run it as is and then when it went all the way fix it and probably put in a new clutch kit

David G · Mar 21, 2018

I would agree with Old, try it, will "probably" make it fine.

Steve@Advance · Mar 21, 2018

That's somewhat of a gamble to keep driving it.

It may have already done some damage, but no way to know until the clutch is removed.

Possible problems:

Spin the end of the input shaft, cause the new bearing to not fit tightly on the shaft.

Spin the bearing in the end of the crank shaft.

Damage the transmission synchronizer rings.

Put excess strain on the input shaft bearing, and seal, and stress the needle bearing in the back of the input shaft, cause some misalignment with the countershaft gears.

If you do have to drive it, minimize the time spent holding the clutch with the trans in gear.

Try starting it in gear with the clutch down (if it will let you) instead of trying to put it in gear running. Just be aware it may try to take off even with the clutch down.

rrlund · Mar 21, 2018

You can drive it all you want to. It's starting and stopping that'll hurt it.

in-too-deep · Mar 21, 2018

grizz02 · Mar 21, 2018

run it till it blows then run it back home and replace every thing inside the bell housing damage is already done☠

rustred · Mar 21, 2018

once its in gear you can drive it all you want. ... as long as its not a trans. problem. why dont you press lightly on the clutch pedal and see if the throw out brg. is making noise??? and if no noise the press pedal to floor to see if pilot is noisy. kinda dought you will hear it though. flywheel, pilot brg. and trans. input shaft is all one when clutch is engaged. only time those brgs are used is when stepping on clutch. plus must have free play clearance on throw out brg. so it dont turn when clutch is engaged. at least thats the way it used to be.
you might have to learn to shift without the clutch,lol.

caterpillar guy · Mar 21, 2018

If you can get in there you might be able to squirt some kind of oil or lubricant up on the throw out bearing to some good. If it is the pilot bearing you would have to get the clutch out of the way for that. Worst thing would be if it should wear the end of the input shaft where the pilot bearing ride so it is loose. The throw out bearing will let you know when it is gone you can't disengage the clutch then.

ASEguy · Mar 22, 2018

If it is the pilot bearing failing they can go far enough to prevent shifting while the engine is running, and can cause substantial damage to the input shaft. So if it's been hard shifting through most gears with constant noise, I would get it done before I drove it too much.

niosy pilot bearing -- OK to drive?

Bob in SD

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old

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in-too-deep

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