Ok guys after some research I have concluded that my pilot bearing is fuxored.

The car I have is a rebuilt s4 NA. It vibes pretty badly at the lower revs and when I get into a taller gear it is fine. I have posted a few other threads dealing with the issue but I want to get specific input as to what will happen with a bad pilot bearing.

From what I understand a few different things depending on how fucked it is.

It can cause the tranny to spin and not allow you to shift properly while the engine is running, but when it isnt all is fine. I do not have this problem. I am able to shift into all gears just fine.

I am also aware that it will allow you to shift and drive properly at times but also cause the input shaft to have problems which will cause a bad vibration one way or another. I feel that this is my problem and will change it since the tranny is out. Anyone have any feedback?

 

If you really do have a bad pilot bearing then you need to open up the clutch and replace it, possibly along with other clutch parts while you're at it. A full clutch kit is $300, dunno about only getting some of the parts or if that's even a good idea. Labor is about $300 regardless, or if you have a lot of time you can DIY. And it's more than that if you change the rear main seal while you're in there. I wouldn't DIY, but a lot of people here, perhaps most, would. I think it might not have been worth it for my mechanic because he didn't know the flywheel nut (I think that's the part everyone has trouble with?) would be stuck on so tight.

 

im not worried about removing it or putting it back in. I can do all of that myself. Clutch is new and flywheel is recently resurfaced.

I just want to confirm sypmtoms and after a bit more searching I am more and more sure this is the issue.

 

Does it only happen when you shift? If it's a "performance" clutch it can make it vibrate in 1st, 2nd and reverse during a shift. Racing Beat has an engine torque brace that'll stop this kind of vibration. Getting an OEM clutch would fix it too, but probably not something you'd want to do until this one is worn out.

 

If your pilot bearing is bad, you wouldn't be a ble to get it into ANY gear, the tranny would just grind, and starting with clutch in, in first just lurches you forward violently. If it was GOING bad, then it would be hard to get it into first and reverse. Well, any gear really, but especially first and reverse. It's not difficult to replace, takes maybe six hours, quicker if you're good, and you don't have to take off the flywheel as mentioned above.

 

I think if it was damaged on install like it looks like then it would cause a vibrational issue.

 

just a tip, if you DIY or send it soemwhere, make sure they ahve the pilot bearing removal tool.

I used a snap-on slide hammer and it still didnt do the trick. The 3 jaw mazda tool is the way to go. I'm buying one tomorrow to hopefully save my *** from messing up my bearing. I have all my fingers crossed, hopefully it comes out. I'm going to cry if it doesnt

 

Well hell, if the tranny is already off just spend the ten bucks to get a new pilot bearing and seal. Put a matching series flywheel on while your at it, torque all to spec, and see what happens.