Clutch Job : Input S won't go thru pilot b-any tricks?

[Richard J Lebens]

Since you have so much help can you put it in gear and try rotating the
input shaft with the output a little as you try to mate it?

--- L DC <ldc007usa at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Hi everyone.
> 
> Sunday, I tried and tried to make the tranny's input
> shaft in my '85 VW QSW go through the pilot bearing
> but was unsuccessful. 
> 
> What's the trick?  Please advise.
> 
> I set the pilot bearing in the back to the crank shaft
> as deep as the old one. Looked very nice and straight.
> 
> I also aligned the clutch with its specific tool and
> tightened pressure plate to torque specs and both
> holes in the clutch and pilot bearing looked quite
> aligned.
> 
> Tranny slid right in through the clutch serrated hole
> nicely and then the tranny's bell housing stopped
> about 3/4 to an inch away from the engine block, the
> approximate length of the pilot bearing.
> 
> I even had the tranny's holding bolt holes aligned to
> their respective threaded holes on the engine block
> using socket extensions.
> 
> I wiggled and wiggled the tranny to make the input
> shaft go through the pilot bearing to no avail.
> 
> My friend and I pulled the tranny backwards to inspect
> things inside the clutch and pilot bearing looked fine
> with the clutch hole still aligned with the pilot's
> bearing.
> 
> 
> A second friend comes by and suggested wiggling the
> trany a bit more as we pushed forward----nothing, it
> would not budge in.
> 
> Decided to pull tranny back out to take a second look
> inside clutch.
> 
> This time, pilot bearing is destroyed. Lower part of
> the ring, about 6 o'clock , is slightly torn outward
> and a couple of its longitudinal bearings out of place
> inside the pilot bearing.
> 
> Pilot bearing is the right size and fit nicely inside
> the end of the input shaft, as tested prior to
> installing.
> 
> This afternoon/evening, I will rent the pilot bearing
> from the local FLAPS and R&R the pilot bearing as I
> did before.
> 
> A fourth friend suggested this morning to tilt the
> tranny slightly upwards by lowering its back a bit to
> perhaps make the input shaft find it way in the pilot
> bearing and then immediately straighten it out to
> drive it home.
> 
> I though I kind of did that but not sure at this point
> since I tried quite a few angles.
> 
> It does not help the fact that I’m doing this job
> while car in on 2 jack stands and ramps, secured of
> course by cement blocks around chasis.
> 
> Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
> 
> -Regards,
> 
> Louis
> 
> 
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