I just finished doing a clutch job in my son's Chevy S10, and after removing the Oilite pilot bushing, I was surprised to find that the clutch kit contained a needle bearing replacement. While it nagged at me to do so, I installed the bearing in the end of the crank. Later that night, I found this site that cautioned against using a bearing where the bushing was once used:
https://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Pilot_bearing_and_bushings
So, I decided to remove the bearing, and tried to find another Oilite bushing. As this vehicle was in a space that needed to be opened back up in a hurry, I did not have the luxury of ordering one online, but instead had to rely on the local parts stores. I found only three available (same chain), and picked one up. To my dismay, it was not Oilite at all, and had a high iron content (a magnet proved it). Being stuck between a rock and a hard place, I installed the bushing, greased the interior hole, and finished the clutch install.
My question here is twofold. First, does the TJ's 4.0 have a bushing or a bearing? When the time comes to do the clutch in my '98, I want to be sure and have the correct arrangement beforehand.
Secondly, what do you guys think? Did I screw the pooch by installing an inferior bushing in my son's truck, or do you think the likelihood of an issue developing is fairly minimal? Should I have used the bearing, instead? The input shaft on his truck was in good shape. Not great shape, to where I think a bearing would have been all that happy riding on it, but generally good shape. I did lube the replacement bushing, but I am uncertain just how much clearance the input shaft has between it and the bushing, and I wonder if I will have to worry about galling of the shaft. The truck has 224,000 miles on its 2.2 engine, so its continued life expectancy is somewhat in question, already. However, my son doesn't put that many miles on his vehicle in a year. Am I worrying over nothing?
If faced with the same situation on your TJ, what would you have done? Like I said earlier, I want to have the correct parts on hand when I do the clutch on mine, but I don't even know which it runs, at this point. Oh, and btw, I've noticed a lot of companies that refer to the bushing as a bearing. Is that a correct reference? Inquiring minds want to know!
Thanks, all.
Squatch
https://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Pilot_bearing_and_bushings
So, I decided to remove the bearing, and tried to find another Oilite bushing. As this vehicle was in a space that needed to be opened back up in a hurry, I did not have the luxury of ordering one online, but instead had to rely on the local parts stores. I found only three available (same chain), and picked one up. To my dismay, it was not Oilite at all, and had a high iron content (a magnet proved it). Being stuck between a rock and a hard place, I installed the bushing, greased the interior hole, and finished the clutch install.
My question here is twofold. First, does the TJ's 4.0 have a bushing or a bearing? When the time comes to do the clutch in my '98, I want to be sure and have the correct arrangement beforehand.
Secondly, what do you guys think? Did I screw the pooch by installing an inferior bushing in my son's truck, or do you think the likelihood of an issue developing is fairly minimal? Should I have used the bearing, instead? The input shaft on his truck was in good shape. Not great shape, to where I think a bearing would have been all that happy riding on it, but generally good shape. I did lube the replacement bushing, but I am uncertain just how much clearance the input shaft has between it and the bushing, and I wonder if I will have to worry about galling of the shaft. The truck has 224,000 miles on its 2.2 engine, so its continued life expectancy is somewhat in question, already. However, my son doesn't put that many miles on his vehicle in a year. Am I worrying over nothing?
If faced with the same situation on your TJ, what would you have done? Like I said earlier, I want to have the correct parts on hand when I do the clutch on mine, but I don't even know which it runs, at this point. Oh, and btw, I've noticed a lot of companies that refer to the bushing as a bearing. Is that a correct reference? Inquiring minds want to know!
Thanks, all.
Squatch
