If I have to have a pilot bearing (or a release bearing) replaced, should I replace the entire clutch while I'm at it? What is the rule of thumb on this?

At this point, I am assuming that I only have a pilot bearing issues. Obviously, I will know the rest of the situation when the clutch is opened up. The reason that I am asking is that I would like to have all the parts that I will need on hand before I start the job.

Last question: Are we replacing clutch parts with OEM? This is a daily driver, not a track car, so I'm thinking of using OEM parts only.

Thanks.

 

Well, I had my clutch replaced back in July by a dealership. They replaced pretty much everything clutch related. I don't know how many miles you have, but I have 165k miles and admittedly, I don't shift very smoothly. I had to get work done because I couldn't shift into gear while stopped.

That said... if you think you've got similar wear & tear on your clutch plates, then it might be worth it to do all of it at once.

 

@Goobers: I went by a transmission shop today and that's pretty much what he said, i.e., if the bearing is bad, replace the whole clutch. He couldn't hear the noise, so I'm a little early on this. Will wait til it gets worse. He estimated about 8-hrs of labor to replace the clutch. Is that about where yours came in at?

BTW, I've got 60k mi. on the car.

 

Yup, OEM only. Generally, the clutch goes before the bearings, so you'd include the bearings when replacing clutch and pressure plate.

60k miles is a bit soon for the clutch or bearings to go, I think. Like you said, "wait 'til it gets worse."

 

If you're going through the effort of dropping the trans to swap pilot bearings you might as well do everything while you're in there.

 

I can't find the paperwork for the clutch repair (oddly, I found the one for the A/C compressor two weeks prior)... but I went in at 7 am and after they finished the diagnostics, they ended up giving me a loaner and I picked up the car the next day. So I guess 8 hours fits. If I find my paperwork, I'll put how many hours mine took (as far as the fees go anyway).

Whoa, only 60k? That's when I stuffed the super charger in my Fit... and my terrible shifting got even worse.

I can't say anything as far as advice, since I don't know enough about how to diagnose a clutch.

 

It's really easy. When the clutch starts slipping (you're in gear and on the throttle, engine revs but the car doesn't go), clutch disc needs replacing. If you step on the clutch pedal and you hear whining, that's the bearings. If you're not able to shift, then the problem would be clutch master or slave not engaging when stepping on the clutch pedal. Unless it's a cable type clutch.

 

Well, I couldn't shift while stopped, but could shift while moving. While I did say they replaced everything related to the clutch, I meant all the hardware inside the transmission case. They didn't touch the master or slave... at least, not according to the paperwork. It was all plates and bearings.

 

Good info, gentlemen. Thank you.

60k mi. is a early for clutch replacement, but I had an '08 Fit that had a pilot bearing go bad at 28k mi. Honda fixed it under warranty. I seem to recall that it was a known issue on the '08.

 

A buddy ('10 Sport MT) had low fluid level in Master / Slave system and MT got harder and harder to shift. He eventually blow the 5th gear synchronizer and had to replace the MT with a used unit. Pay attention to the Master / Slave.

On question on worn clutch needing replaced is when it starts to slip under heavy throttle. There is also a certain odor given off by super-heated friction surfaces like that while following a tractor trailer down a steep grade of after they did a panic stop. Can't miss it.