87 S-10 Blazer pilot bearing problem

[lhspatriot3]

I recently did a complete clutch replacement on my 87 S-10 Blazer, 2.8L ,5 spd trans. When I went to replace the Pilot bushing I noticed there wasn't one there! I did find a chunk of the bushing in the clutch disc assy. though. I installed the new pilot bushing, lightly lubricating the I.D. according to the instructions and finished the job. Everything was fine for a week or so and then I noticed a squeeling noise when I push the clutch pedal in with the trans. in gear. Now the squeeling noise has turned into a nasty grinding noise! It makes the noise mostly when the veh. is cold, but occasionaly when warmed up. I am assuming that the trans. shaft is contacting the walls of the pilot bushing and making this noise. My question is what is causing this? Is my transmission worn...causing the shaft to wobble and eat the pilot bushings? Has anyone seen this before?

[Philo]

My guess is that the throwout bearing is shot. The pilot bearing just centers the front transmission shaft, and no significant extra pressure should be applied when you press the clutch. The throwout bearing however absorbs all of the pressure when you press the clutch. Unfortunately, you will need to pull the tranny again to change it, so you could look at the pilot bearing at the same time.

One time I had a '63 Pontiac Cat with a manual. Second gear chipped, so I got another and put it in, put it all back together and two weeks later chipped the gear again. This time, I took a good look at everything, and found a bad pilot bearing. I replaced it and had no more trouble. What this means is that the shaft gets out of line without the bearing or with a worn bearing, so you are lucky you have no transmission problems to go with it.

[JOEROC]

yep sounds like throw out bearing to me too.
Just cause its new dont mean a thing.

[tommie99]

it may be the throw out bearing it may be the out put shaft that the pliot bearing rides on it may be chewed up when you pull the trans check that also let me know................tommie99

[wehswarriorS-10]

i just had to put a clutch kit in my s 10 2.8 (along with a new motor) but it is the throwout bearing, mine was doin the same thing and when we dropped the transmission the pilot bearing balls dropped out and the bearing was in pieces and the fingers on the pressure plate were chewed up a little.....put the new clutch in it....good as new