How critical is the Pilot Bushing when installing new clutch kit?

[smokin240]

I personally have alot of tools but none of them will pull this thing out. It's in there pretty tight and I dont want to spend 20 bucks at autozone for the tool to do it just once. Im thinking of just leaving it in there. The front of it looks a little stressed but inside it looks fine. What do you guys think?

[Silvia007]

Ran into the same problem, put a little grease on the tip and installed the thing, no problems.

[navysnail]

autozone wont loan you a slide hammer with a right angle tip?? i would try my best if i were you, because it never hurts to replace things like that after that many miles, and it is just one more thing that could fail and damage your transmission

[Meantime]

There is a quick and easy way to DIY, pack the area behind the bushing with grease from a grease gun and then hammer (gently) a rod slightly smaller in diameter through the center of the bearing. The hydraulic pressure of the grease being pushed behind the bearing will force it out. Wear goggles as I've had grease spray out the last time I did it.

[Ubernoober]

The cursed thing is bronze, and so a nice sharp chisel will cut and break it up pretty easily. Hit lightly and do not damage the flywheel.It IS important to replace this item. I know it seems small, but it keeps the input shaft from wobbling. This will make clutch engagement smoother and save your input bearings from excess stress.

[smokin240]

people from autozone got something mistaken or something im not sure but they ended up having one and let us rent it, and it worked to get it out. thanks all for the help

[Hijacker]

any kind of bearing puller that pulls from the inside of the bearing will work. My mechanic friend has a small tool designed to get it out specifically. I did 2 clutch jobs in one week, so I had the fun of pulling 2 pilot bushings and reinstalling 2. Mazda at least uses a ball bearing center section unlike Nissan's bushing.