420A Clutch help!

[Fordsuck]

Helping my son replace his clutch on 95 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS 2.0. When installing clutch assembly the round center piece (see pic) fell out. We managed to stick it into the engine then installed clutch and tranny then bolted it all up. After starting the vehicle there's a "rattling" noise coming from the clutch area. It shifts great no problems other than the rattling which stops when clutch is engaged. Couple things: 1) what is this called 2) is this supposed to be loose or fixed to clutch assembly. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

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[Drewpy Dawg]

Rattling that goes away when the clutch pedal is pushed in is usually the throw out bearing. The little round thing in the end of the crankshaft would be the pilot bearing.

 

[Fordsuck]

Rattling that goes away when the clutch pedal is pushed in is usually the throw out bearing. The little round thing in the end of the crankshaft would be the pilot bearing.

Thanks for replying back, the rattling noise was why we went ahead and replaced the clutch initially with a new throw out bearing and clutch. When we initially dropped the tranny the old "pilot bearing" fell out the bottom of the bell housing. Is this supposed to be affixed to the clutch assembly? The reason I ask is when I took it out of the box it fell out of the assembly

 

[Drewpy Dawg]

The pilot bearing fits into the center of the flywheel and/or crankshaft. The tip of the transmission input shaft then rides inside the bearing. It isn’t actually attached to anything, it just fits into place. So it’s pretty normal for it to pull out of place and fall out when you pull the trans. The pilot bearing shouldn’t be making any noise. I’m not sure what to suggest if you were getting the rattling noise before you replaced the clutch and it’s still there after a new clutch and throw out bearing.

 

[Fordsuck]

The pilot bearing fits into the center of the flywheel and/or crankshaft. The tip of the transmission input shaft then rides inside the bearing. It isn’t actually attached to anything, it just fits into place. So it’s pretty normal for it to pull out of place and fall out when you pull the trans. The pilot bearing shouldn’t be making any noise. I’m not sure what to suggest if you were getting the rattling noise before you replaced the clutch and it’s still there after a new clutch and throw out bearing.

Okay thanks for your help

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

The part you're referring to isn't a bearing at all. The pilot and throwout bearing are both on the outward side of the clutch assembly and ride on the input shaft. The part you circled is simply a dust cap to keep debris away from the main seal. It is fixed to the flywheel though and should not be loose or disconnected. I've never seen one detached from the modular clutch assembly, and I would have immediately requested an exchange or refund if seeing that. If you aren't experienced with these clutches I can see how it's not a huge deal, but it really is. That is causing your rattling noise indefinitely. Without being properly attached to the flywheel, it is just floating between the crankshaft and pilot bearing, which has a small clearance in either side, and will rattle away. I will attach some photos below. The pilot bearing is on the outward side of the flywheel, outside of that dust cap. That's where you've inserted the input shaft. The dust cover sits behind that and simply keeps heat and clutch material away from the rear main seal.

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All stock and replacement clutches are assembled very similarly, and it sounds like yours wasn't fully assembled at all.