ACT/Pilot Bearing

SON240sx Automotive
1

I’ve got a full ACT Stage 1 clutch kit on it’s way, and apparently the company i’m ordering it from is sending it without the pilot bearing, because it is backordered from ACT.

According to dude on the phone, the “ACT pilot bearing” from the kit is totally replacable with a Nissan OEM pilot bearing (only $5).

Before I go ahead with the install, is this accurate? Is there any (relevant) difference between an ACT and OEM Nissan pilot bearing that would prevent me from using the ACT kit and OEM pilot bearing?

Thanks.

2

Get an OEM one and thats that.

3

Thanks bro. :thumright:

4

Pilot bearing won’t make a difference with the clutch, just the tranny input shaft (and is a hell of a lot harder to replace).

I am thinking you are refering to the throw out bearing?
In which case, yes, the one you get from Nissan will be perfect.

Theo

5

This kit includes these components: N-018 - Heavy Duty Pressure Plate

NSD035S - Performance Street Disc

RB810 - Release Bearing

PB1012 - Pilot Bearing

AT01 - Alignment Tool

The guy said that the pilot bearing was backordered and he’d send me the rest…that’s all I know.

So I asked for a pilot bearing from Nissan and they gave me a 1cm x 1cm x 1cm (or so) hollow cylindrical piece for $6.

Maybe the clutch guys said the wrong thing, maybe the kits’ contents are just “general” (which I think they are) but those are the facts…

So…?

6

Ok, release bearing is the same as the throw out bearing, the pilot bearing is quite a trickey task to remove, some Canadian tire stores have a tool loan program and actually have a pilot bearing removal tool. I know a few people here have done it with basic tools, but this is not something I would tackle if I have not had much experience with tools and stuff.

If your pilot bearing is shot, you will hear a distinct noise, I have not heard it, but, again, some people here would have a good idea of what it sounds like when it is shot. Where as the release bearing has a sound all to itself, which I have heard just before NIssan replaced it under warranty on my '95 quite a few years back.

Hope this helps you out.

Theo

7

When i did the pilot on my car i pulled it out with my finger. When i did Bruces i had to do the greas packing method.
Fill the hole with Green greas(for got the name) then get a 11mm 3/8drive socket(thats what worked for me but what ever size socket fits tight in the hole. Then put the extetion on the socket. Hammer agenst the extion/socket forcing the greas to push the pilot bearing out. your going to have to keep putting greas in there. Took me about 20mins and getting coverd in greas.

8

The car is going to transmission specialists. It’s also getting a lightened flywheel…doing everything at once.

So I guess what i’m asking is if I give them an ACT clutch kit (and the flywheel) short one ACT pilot bearing plus one OEM pilot bearing, could there be an issue or no? ie. Does ACT throw in some super-special or different sized/shaped bearing or is it just an OEM-ish one for convenience?

9

oem is fine. the clutch/flywheel you have has nothing to do with the pilot bearing.

10

i know the KA FSM has it listed as “pilot bearing”

but in the SR “180sx” etc… FSM its listed as a “pilot bushing”

it is a Pilot Bushing… not a bearing, is it not ? lol

would be like calling the throw out bearing/release bearing a throw out bushing or release bushing ? haha

11

I think the term pilot bushing/bearing are thrown around…but you may well be right. I think it said bushing on the Nissan package… :oops:

Anyhoo, I thank you all for the help! :thumright: