Transmission input shaft bearing clarification

[WantingAfunE21]

Gentlemen,
I am getting set up to complete a 5 speed swap in my '77, and want to verify that early cars only have the small needle bearing instead of the more traditional looking bearing. This was all I removed, but RealOEM seems to show both. Thanks for the help!
-Roy

[320iAman]

The Pilot bearing for earlier models had the small needle bearings, later models use the traditional looking bearings.

Randy

[Tom D]

i believe you can use either, needle or ball bearings. both appear to be 12x32mm.

over the years, especially older vehicles, i've seen more solid bushings than bearings being used for pilots, so 'traditional looking' would be a bronze bushing and not a bearing.

FWIW, the input shaft bearing is at the big end of the input shaft, inside the trans, the front small side of the shaft is held by a pilot bushing/bearing.

[WantingAfunE21]

The Pilot bearing for earlier models had the small needle bearings, later models use the traditional looking bearings.

Randy

Thank you sir. Parts are on the way, hopefully another e21 will be back on the road soon.

i believe you can use either, needle or ball bearings. both appear to be 12x32mm.

over the years, especially older vehicles, i've seen more solid bushings than bearings being used for pilots, so 'traditional looking' would be a bronze bushing and not a bearing.

FWIW, the input shaft bearing is at the big end of the input shaft, inside the trans, the front small side of the shaft is held by a pilot bushing/bearing.

My car has a smaller diameter bearing (OD) than, I'm assuming the later cars have. Sorry for any confusion I caused by using improper nomenclature, and thanks for the education.

[320iAman]

Luk Rep Set 03-002 Clutch Set is good for 1977 -1985 1.8L and 2.0L, 320i and 318i and comes only with the traditional bearing. I have Luk Rep Set installed and a new Kit for that day, plus a new BMW flywheel 1 of 6 in the world when I bought it from FCP Euro-thru there BMW dealership contact--now I think they are all gone. What I like about Luk as opposed to other Clutch Kits as Luk goes a set further-they balance the whole rotating assembly.. Shops around here that offer lifetime replacement used Luk. I dont recommend piecemeal like some shops do getting the cheapest part for each in the clutch kit--there warranty of one year--says it all.


Randy

[WantingAfunE21]

Luk Rep Set 03-002 Clutch Set is good for 1977 -1985 1.8L and 2.0L, 320i and 318i and comes only with the traditional bearing. I have Luk Rep Set installed and a new Kit for that day, plus a new BMW flywheel 1 of 6 in the world when I bought it--now I think they are all gone. What I like about Luk as opposed to other Clutch Kits as Luk goes a set further-they balance the whole rotating assembly.. Shops around here that offer lifetime replacement used Luk. I dont recommend piecemeal like some shops do getting the cheapest part for each in the clutch kit--there warranty of one year--says it all.



Randy

I purchased a lightened factory flywheel from Ireland Engineering. Probably not needed for a mostly stock motor, but hey who doesn't like faster revs!

[320iAman]

Yes Okie, and the hole is not in the crankshaft, its in the big weight that smoothes out vibrations on the crankshaft assembly--Big Harmonic Balancer,,the small weight in the front contributes some smoothing- not even close though to the back big weight which has the holes for the flywheel and the pilot bearing, its driven on and sometimes bolted to the back end of the crankshaft.

As too the big weight in back- the actual harmonic balancer in difference to vocabulary started by laymen that seems to continue--I was at a shop that experimented with the big weight and actually grinded it down to get mass - weight off of it on a motor rebuild they did on the side--once they lightened it-- they assembled and attempted to start the car--it would not start--they then put back in the regular weighted balancer and the car started up--so that weight is specific for a stock motor for more reasons than smoothing vibrations... Now you have a new feather in your cap.. They had an inventory of identical crankshafts with the big weight on it.



Randy

[epmedia]

Before it comes down to "HOW DO I GET THE DAMN PILOT BEARING OUT? !!"...

Please read this, see post #15 for pics, instructions ::

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...earing-removal

[320iAman]

Before it comes down to "HOW DO I GET THE DAMN PILOT BEARING OUT? !!"...

Please read this, see post #15 for pics, instructions ::

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...earing-removal

I did my stint pulling a pilot bearing the hard way, now I'll just use a blind hole puller with or without heat.

Randy

[WantingAfunE21]

I did my stint pulling a pilot bearing the hard way, now I'll just use a blind hole puller with or without heat.

Randy

Yes sir, $70 well spent IMO.

[captain awesome]

If it's just a standard ball bearing, I've used a slice of bread, a 1/4" drive socket extension, a 10mm deep socket flipped backwards, and a hammer.

2112AB00-1B19-46A5-96F3-BA948ADB7155 by hatchethairy, on Flickr

[WantingAfunE21]

If it's just a standard ball bearing, I've used a slice of bread, a 1/4" drive socket extension, a 10mm deep socket flipped backwards, and a hammer.

2112AB00-1B19-46A5-96F3-BA948ADB7155 by hatchethairy, on Flickr

The Early cars are different. I will put up a picture after I get off work.

[WantingAfunE21]

Well Took an extra couple of days, but here is the difference.

Pilot bearing difference.jpg

And the tool that made removal dead simple.

Blind bearing puller.jpg

well worth the investment in my opinion.

[epmedia]

Nice tool to have! Wish I had one at the time

[320iAman]

Indeed I have set like that for that day-blind hole pullers from very small to large diameter with the slam weight.


Randy