Pilot bearing just fell out

Jesusestavahere

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Sep 26, 2022
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Yakima, WA
Hello everyone,

First time posting here :)

I have a '04 4.0 w/ nv3550

To get straight to the point, I decided last weekend to tackle changing out my clutch fork, throw-out bearing, flywheel, clutch, and pressure plate all on my own. I'd say I have a 7/10 in mechanical knowledge and skills, enough to get by.

Anyways as I got to the point of pulling off the flywheel, the (from what I assumed) pilot bearing just fell out. From the posts that I have read on here I always assumed you need to do the good ol' bread and punch trick to get them out. This was a needle bearing similar to the one in this LuK clutch kit I am using to replace with.

If my research was correct this could've been either a bearing or a bushing but it seems bushings were more common in older models? Either way, is the bearing supposed to just fall out or did I just get myself into a lot more trouble than what I was asking for? Also the new needle bearing slides in with no effort whatsoever, and when I slide the alignment tool in, it feels like it has play to it, like as if the needle bearing is too small for the hole.

Jeep has been down for a week due to cold temps and not having a garage to work out of. At the moment all I have to do is put everything back together and tighten things up on Turkey Day morning but before I do I want to know if the bearing is supposed to just fall out with no resistance.

I will try to add pictures later today, I am currently at work.

Thank you,
Jesus
 
As far as I’m aware the pilot bushing should be a bushing, not a bearing. I would see no reason for it to ever be a bearing? Seems odd? But like you I’m just a weekend wrencher.

The pilot bushing rides in the crankshaft… just want to make sure we are on the same page.
 
As far as I’m aware the pilot bushing should be a bushing, not a bearing. I would see no reason for it to ever be a bearing? Seems odd? But like you I’m just a weekend wrencher.

The pilot bushing rides in the crankshaft… just want to make sure we are on the same page.

The end of the crankshaft has a recess that accepts the pilot bearing bushing. The pilot bearing presses into the hole in that bushing. He needs to replace the bushing to fix the loss of interference fit in the bushing so the bearing will stay in place.
 
Does anyone have photos? I haven't done a clutch job since the 1960s cars just had a bronze bushing, nothing else.

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As far as I’m aware the pilot bushing should be a bushing, not a bearing. I would see no reason for it to ever be a bearing? Seems odd? But like you I’m just a weekend wrencher.

The pilot bushing rides in the crankshaft… just want to make sure we are on the same page.

I've read on having them both and the pros and cons, just wasn't sure on what was supposed supposed to happen to begin with. thanks for your insight!
 
The end of the crankshaft has a recess that accepts the pilot bearing bushing. The pilot bearing presses into the hole in that bushing. He needs to replace the bushing to fix the loss of interference fit in the bushing so the bearing will stay in place.

Happen to have any part numbers by chance? those pics you provided were the exact parts I would be needing