Help with my clutch

Transmission is out of the way!
And a new cut across my forhead. Got this one sitting up. Smacked my head into the bottom of the open door. Almost knocked myself out cold.

Is this the throwout bearing? How do I remove it from the shaft? It feels loose but will not move off the shaft.

That is the throw-out bearing. It should turn freely and slide forward and backward easily. Grease the shaft that the throw-out bearing slides on. You can get the rust off the shaft with sandpaper, 100 - 150 grit.

Today the sun is out.
I was finally able to remove the exhaust Y pipe. It needed to be removed to take off the flywheel, housing and clutch plates.

I still havent got the TO bearing off of the shaft. I think the shaft might have been worn down and created a lip which stops the bearing from sliding.

Can anyone tell me if this shaft is ruined? Notice the edge right in front of the bearing. If it is. Do I need a new tranny?

Hammer and chisel.
Then look at the shaft.

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I don't have much to add except make sure you replace the pilot bushing thats pressed into the crankshaft on the motor. If you've never done this job before it would be easy to miss.

Auto parts store may rent a puller, I bought mine at Harbor Freight. I'd assume they go in the same regardless of the manufacturer, the one on my Chevy just pressed in with a couple GENTLE CAREFUL taps, don't want to distort it or install it crooked.

I feel you on the head injury, when I was putting my trans back in I hit my head on a crossmember laying down. I proceeded to instinctively recoil from it and SLAMMED my head into the concrete floor. Really wish I had a lift!

False alarm! Once I hammered the TO bearing off, i could see the bearing retainer is not the shaft and is not damaged.

chillman88 said:

I don't have much to add except make sure you replace the pilot bushing thats pressed into the crankshaft on the motor. If you've never done this job before it would be easy to miss.

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So there is a pilot bushing? Is this in addition to the pilot bearing on the flywheel?

Thanks guys! I am now going to bring the fly wheel in to be surfaced, order the clutch kit and then the greasable TO bearing.

steelheadguy said:

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So there is a pilot bushing? Is this in addition to the pilot bearing on the flywheel?

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Same bird, different name. Some engines use an oiled bronze bushing, others use a roller bearing. It should be changed whichever kind it is, just wanted to make sure you knew!

Nice job so far, just 1 pilot bushing / bearing, if you can get bronze bushing they seem to be more forgiving on install and last longer. You may want to look at replace that trans input bearing retainer ( throw out slides on it ) for smoother clutch operation over time. Cut heads off some 4" bolts to screw into bellhouse holes to help you line up and guide trans into place when it goes back together.

chillman88 said:

I don't have much to add except make sure you replace the pilot bushing thats pressed into the crankshaft on the motor. If you've never done this job before it would be easy to miss.

Auto parts store may rent a puller, I bought mine at Harbor Freight.

Click to expand...

I buy mine in the scrap bin, use a new one every time , properly sized chunk of dowel and a big gob o' grease is the easiest way to remove a pilot bushing

jwalterus said:

I buy mine in the scrap bin, use a new one every time , properly sized chunk of dowel and a big gob o' grease is the easiest way to remove a pilot bushing

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That may be the case, but go easy, it was my first time lol

New clutch came in and I made some progress.

Tapped the old pilot bearing out of the resurfaced fly wheel. I used a socket to tap the old one out and then used the old bearing to tap in the new one.

Then I cleaned all the threads and red loctited the flywheel bolts.

I did not replace the bearing retainer, but cleaned it up with emery cloth. Hopefully the TO bearing slides easily.

Feels like Im getting close to finishing this job finally.

The truck is up and running. Some good news.

Good news usually comes with bad news.
I was in a huge rush (like getting kicked out rush). So I quick put the transmission back in and kept moving. As I was putting everything back together I finally saw the original problem.

The throwout bearing has wore a deep groove on the bearing retainer. The groove is right where the bearing presses against the clutch. This results is squeeling and grooving until the bearing falls apart and gets stuck in the groove or cannot move. This leaves the clutch inoperable. The clutch pedal becomes stubborn or not moving at all. Forcing it will snap a push rod, firewall or some part of the pedal linkage.

I should have waited to replace the bearing retainer.
I need to use the truck for now. Ive greased it as best I can. After going through a lot of mud and water I can already hear the new bearing squeeling.
Hopefully I can find some time to take the tranny back out to replace the bearing retainer.