HELP! Clutch install tomorrow and I don't have a pilot tool

[Arcticat]

Well I figured that would be easy to find, so I put off getting it until i remembered today I am going to need one. DUH! I called every stupid auto parts place in town, about 15 places, and none of them had it. One of them even told me over the phone that they had it, and then when I got there they gave me a blank look like they had no idea what I was talking about. "Do you know who you talked to?" #^&$%*$)(^*^@##*^ stupid ^(*&$&$ jerks!! Anyway, it looks like I am going to have to fab something myself. Any ideas? Does anybody know offhand what the ID of the pilot bushing is?

 

[Mac]

Once you get the transmission out, the nose of the input shaft is the id of the bushing.
I believe I would try to make up a pilot shaft from wood dowels. One to fit the id of the bushing, one to fit the id of the clutch disc. Drill the large dowel end with a hole the size of the small dowel and glue together. You may need a lathe, but you could probably do the turning with an electric drill.

 

[massdiesel]

Hey articat remove the trans take the bolts out of the input shaft cover and remove the input shaft its about 6inches long and their is ur line up tool with the exact splines and dowel and reinstall use care not to damage the seal in the input shaft retainer i use this all the time hope this helps if u need help or dont understand then email me and i can give u my number i will be at my shop all day sat

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99 24v auto 3500 4x4 reg cab 3. 55 axle,va cpc,275 injectors,k&n,rhino lining, tinted glass, tonnoue cover heavy duty trailer tow set up goose neck hitch draw tite brake setup,cb,cd player,catz back up lights,amsoil frnt to back,jre exhaust4 wire blue box, pressure lock,bd exhaust brake,JRE style transgo shift kit, a pro torqe extreme convertor, and a magtec trans cover and trans guage,JRE fuel line kit,upgraded fuel pump,braided fuel lines from lift to injector pump,reflashed ecm,power edge ez,fuel pressure guage,3 guage pillar,boost&pyro

 

[C Schomer]

I've always had better luck eyeballing the disc than with any of those lousy wood or plastic pilot tools!

 

[illflem]

CS,I'm with you,I quit using line up tools years ago and have had zero problems
Helps if you can shoot a gun or pool ball straight though.

 

[RKohn]

I've used a socket on an extension before with pretty good luck. Just pick one that fits the pilot bushing.

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Y2K Red Stealth Sport 2500 4X4 QC SLT+, 5-spd, 3. 54 anti-spin, 265-75-16 LTX’s (There ain’t no such thing as options, cause ya gotta have it all, including: DC’s dead cow/vinyl interior and don’t stop anti-lock brakes. ) Stock, but not for long. Oops, too late. What silencer ring? (More fun than my 98 SST)

 

[rickhans]

Try going to a transmission shop and ask for a main shaft that is being discarded. Just be sure the spline is OK. Then take a cutting torch and cut off the front of the shaft to use as an alignment tool.

That is how I used to do the clutches on my GTO's and chevy's. I only had a problem one time when the spline got stuck and did not want to come back out. It finally did but my head was in the way. Only took a few stitches.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

If you remove your input shaft be darn careful that the bearings inside the gear end don't get hurt and the flat needle bearing between the input and the mainshaft doesn't fall off.

If you are careful, you can usually align the disk by feel around its perimeter.

I went to a cut off shaft recently and found it 'way better than the plastic tool. [not that it helps you right now--just info for the future. ]

 

[Sled Puller]

Also a Ford diesel shaft is the right spline, just black tape it up till it fits the pilot hole.

 

[JeRon B.]

I have always used the gearbox as a pilot tool. Get a jack with wheels on it make sure your gear box is free to move around put the clutch disk and pressure plate on the input shaft your bell housing should me off put the gear box back fasten pressure plate. "Look Ma, no pilot tool. "

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98. 5 SLT 4x4 5 spd Quad-cab w/ Mopar running boards with side steps and Grant XL mounted in the ex-cubby holder.

 

[David_VT]

Articat and I got his done about 9:30 pm last night. Initial impressions are positive!! Can't wait to get mine in too.

That NV4500 is one heavy mother, thanks for all the tips about strapping it down!