Just put a new clutch in my TJ. When I start it up there is a loud screaching sound, only lasts a second. Is this typical for new clutches, kind of like a break in period? I didn't resurface the flywheel just cleaned it up with some fine sandpaper. Also when I was cleaning up I noticed a brass bushing left over. I'm guessing this is the pilot bushing but I didn't see/remove the old one. Just replaced the pilot bearing. Does it go behind the pilot bearing? :confused: BTW Haynes manuals suck.

yes it was the pilot bushing. It will make noise if you didn't replace it. But if it dont have any adverse clutch activity, dont sweat it. Unless you feel like pulling the clutch back out.

And I doubt that.

So where is the pilot bushing? There wasn't one behind the old pilot bearing when I pulled it out. I sure as hell don't want to pull the transmission again.

I'd like to respectfully disagree. The pilot bushing/bearing supports the front of the tranny input shaft. Under load it could deflect and cause excellerated wear of your tranny input bearing. Then...:nuke:

If you took the time to do the clutch install yourself, why bother with a half-ass install. You could have gotten that from Midas.

Just my opinion.

:flipoff2: :flipoff2:

EDIT: The pilot bushing fits inside a small hole in the center of your flywheel. I've used a socket and block of wood to pound them in before. If its brass or other soft metal, use wood.

Getting the original out can be fun. I usually fill the hole completely up with greese and insert the clutch tool. From there I take my trusty 4 pound sledge and whack it!! The hydraulic of the grease pushes it out. That or you get a face full of grease.;)

Ok, I retract..

CJ bull has a very good point.

I neglected to "get threw my thick head" that you said LOUD.

sorry bout that. I would pull it back apart, If it wasn't loud I wouldn't worry so much. But You said LOUD.....

Heck its only another 5 hours or so. All the bolts are loose now.

Once again, Sorry bout that.

So the pilot bushing goes into the recess in the flywheel first then the pilot bearing. The pilot bearing was flush with the outer edge of the flywheel but what is confusing me is there was no pilot bushing in there behind the bearing. I was thinking after getting it all together & seeing the bushing laying there that the bearing probably got pushed back & that could be causing the loud screech. Oh well I got 3 days off for Mardi Gras, looks like I'll be under the jeep. That pilot bearing puller/slide hammer I got at autozone made short work of getting that bearing out, like 30 secs.

Well I pulled the transmission again today to put the pilot bushing in and just as I expected there wasn't one in there from the factory. The new pilot bearing also looked fine as did everything else in there. I'm gonna put it all back in tomorrow like I had it yesterday. I think the screech will go away after I get some wear on the new clutch but everything looked perfect.

They do not run both, it is eather a bushing or bearing.. I think 89 and up, or some where in that era have bearings and down have bushings. When you put in the trans, did it go right in or did you have to tighten the bolts to get it in. It you tighten it, it could come from the trans, to much preload on it. But it would only last till you pushed in the clutch one time