Spigot/Pilot Bearing

Post Sat May 30, 2015 8:21 am

I'm going to replace my clutch shortly and thought it may be worth replacing the crank pilot bearing at the same time.

Mine is an late 1989 325i manual but the previous owner confirmed it had a replacement engine from an 86/87 model at some point.

Are the bearings different dependent on year, GSF show either a ball race version or enclosed for the different years, I could buy both and replace whichever wasn't needed but I'm not sure how I would remove the open face version without a puller. With the later version I've seen people pack behind with grease or wet paper.

Any help would be appreciated.

Post Sat May 30, 2015 8:31 am

The bearing needs to match the gearbox shaft, not the engine. Obviously until you get the box off the engine you won't be able to measure it, so I normally buy both and return the unused one. From memory it's either 12mm or 15mm.

Post Sun May 31, 2015 7:35 am

I've just checked various websites and apparently the Getrag 260 all use the same pilot bearing, although they have changed from open race with a felt shield to closed race.

RealOEM states they are 12x32x10, so would the input shaft to be 12mm, it's probably 12mm inner, 32mm outer and 10mm width but I'd like a bit of guidance first or details of what one to buy if someone has recently.

Thanks.

Post Sun May 31, 2015 8:32 am

The measurements that jmc is trying to tell you are correct,on the end of the gear box shaft is a smooth part that sits in the bearing which will be either 12mm or 15mm as said. The bearings are relatively cheap from the dealers.You can either buy both and return one or measure the shaft and buy the one you need I did the latter.

Post Sun May 31, 2015 8:35 am

Yes the input shaft will be either 12mm or 15mm. The outer dimensions of the bearing (32mm and 10mm) are the same.
You could be right about the Getrag 260 only using the 12mm version but I wouldn't like to confirm as I don't know 100% - as I said above, if the gearbox is still in the car I usually buy both so I don't get stuck and return the unused one and I can't say I've kept a note of which I've used each time.

Have you got links to the two different bearings that GSF list? I've had a quick search but can only find them listing one bearing for all E30 models.

Post Sun May 31, 2015 10:39 am

Bearings of this type are designed to last for thousands of hours at full load. In this application, the bearing is a static support for most of the time, and is only used when the clutch is pressed.
It's total working life up to now probably hasn't reached a couple of hours, so this is a classic case of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Post Sun May 31, 2015 4:01 pm

jmc330i wrote:Yes the input shaft will be either 12mm or 15mm. The outer dimensions of the bearing (32mm and 10mm) are the same.
You could be right about the Getrag 260 only using the 12mm version but I wouldn't like to confirm as I don't know 100% - as I said above, if the gearbox is still in the car I usually buy both so I don't get stuck and return the unused one and I can't say I've kept a note of which I've used each time.

Have you got links to the two different bearings that GSF list? I've had a quick search but can only find them listing one bearing for all E30 models.

I was looking at the GSF website and I'm sure it came up with two versions but now with my reg number it's only showing one http://www.gsfcarparts.com/parts/transm ... ot-bearing

This one is open face though although.

You can but the same size bearing from a number of places online but I can't work out if I need standard clearance or C3/C4 as per what these people are offering http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/advanc ... ywords3=10