Wisemen help! Pilot bushing missing?

[black97spyder]

I have an automatic 97 Spyder GST and when I separated the engine and transmission I found there was no pilot bushing?

I also have a automatic 97 Talon AWD that I bought bone stock. And there was no pilot bushing in the parts that came with it either?

I am about to drop the engines into each car and I was wondering how crucial it is to have these pilot bushings?? And if I need to buy one for each car??

 

[chaclark83]

Its an auto. There is no pilot bearing.

 

[black97spyder]

I felt as if i was asking a dumb question... Hmmm I have read about it before but it didn't really lead me to any conclusions?

 

[chaclark83]

Ma Urals have a pilot bearing because the flywheel spins without the transmission input shaft spinning when the clutch is depressed. Autos spin the flex plate and torque converter at the same time no matter what so it doesn't need a pilot bearing.

 

[Steve93Talon]

Manual DSMs don't have a pilot bearing, unlike some other manual cars. Auto DSMs, on the other hand, do have a pilot bushing to center the torque converter.

STM: OEM MITSUBISHI AUTOMATIC PILOT BUSHINGS | 90-99 DSM | MD732972 | MD756767

 

[hotrodssnova]

Yes, the autos do have one. It is installed before the flexplate is bolted to the crank. Chances are, if you remove your flexplate, you will find it.

 

[chaclark83]

Hmm. My autos having one either. That's odd. I wonder if there is a difference.

 

[Colt4G63 also]

Automatics have a pilot bushing, but it's not a typical pilot bushing; it's steel. It's probably there pressed into the crank on both of your engines OP. The dude in post # two, four, and seven has no idea what he's talking about.

 

[dacowgod]

Automatics have a pilot bushing, but it's not a typical pilot bushing; it's steel. It's probably there pressed into the crank on both of your engines OP. The dude in post # two, four, and seven has no idea what he's talking about.

All true

 

[cianfar]

Check the end of your crank and see if it protude out about an inch in the center. If not you're missing the steel bushing and should purchase one before installation. it should look like this http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/289888-auto-transmission-install-problems.html

 

[chaclark83]

OK smart a** I have two 95 awd talons with auto trans. I have 6bolt engines in both of them and NEITHER pilot bushings. The purpose of a pilot bushing is to help keep the crank aligned with the input shaft on the transmission and reduce stress on the input shaft bearing. It is possible for an auto to utilize this as well to support the heavy rotating tq converter on the weak flexplates our cars come with. Just like its not necessary for our manual transmissions to use one when others do. Neither one of my 7 bolt engines had them and neither do my 6bolt replacements. Is this how they came from the factory? Maybe not. I got both cars ten years and several owners later.

 

[gofer]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/366430-do-i-need-pilot-bushing-my-auto.html

 

[black97spyder]

Thanks guys!! That saves my a** majorly.

My second question is, I drove my cars for 2 years and when i split the engine and trans for a rebuild There was no pilot bushing in the back of the crank, like what cianfar showed in his link.

Here is a pic of the flexplate side of my engine and If u look close you will see nothing but the Kiggly flexplate on the back of the crank. I'm about to reinstall my engine this weekend and wanted to make sure It's don't proper!

The picture is in this link 2g 7 bolt kiggly flexplate questions - DSM Forums

 

[kiggly]

You need the pilot bushing with the auto.

Do you want your 30lb converter to be 0.015" off center and rotating at 8000rpm with all this imbalance? Nothing else keeps the converter centered up to the crank, the bolt holes are loose.

 

[black97spyder]

Thanks!! I just bought 2 through STM, one for each car!! My spyder didn't have one when i split the engine and trans so I know I need one for it. I am almost 100% sure this is Why I broke my stock flexplate in half .... Which made me think I had a knocking rod which was def not the case when I tore into the engine (even though I seen the flexplate right off and knew that was the sound I heard and explained the lack of power)

 

[DSM1G90]

My base Eclipse with the F4A22-1 tranny started to leak tranny fluid all over everywhere.

Neighbor next door, who is a garage mechanic and a good one, came over to check things out.

We dropped the tranny and found my issue: The flex plate mounting ring on the TC had broke the welds causing the TC to run eccentric causing the pilot bushing to work itself loose in the pump housing. with this wear is what was causing the leakage. The pilot bushing was spinning freely in the pump housing along with putting massive grooves on the outer sleeve of the TC.

Went to a tranny shop to get a new bushing and seal-also got diff output shaft seals along with the purchase.

Went out to a yard to get another TC from a busted up DSM that cost 15bucks with core exchange.

Pressed the new bushing in place and the seals. Put the TC back in, felt the recommended clicks and all was good.

Put the tranny back in the car, filled up the case with ATF+4, gave it a spin and no more leaks.

Car runs tons better with good parts now.

Yes, you need the pilot bushing that belongs in the pump housing.