Tell me what this is! Needle bearing, pilot bushing, or something else?

[colectb]

I'm swapping an engine that was set up for a manual transmission back into being an automatic. I need to put this bushing, or whatever it's called, into the end of the crank so it keeps the torque converter centered... or that's what I'm guessing it's for.  Does anyone know the name of this thing? I went to the Audi/ VW dealer to order one, but all they came up with was a needle bearing, and it didn't look the same on the part diagram.  It would be tons of help if someone could identify this, then hook me up with one they have lying around, as I assume this is the same as for the 1.6.

BTW, this is from an 83 Audi 5000 TD engine.





This is where it came from:


And this is where it's going:

[rs899]

I would call it a pilot bushing, but what matters is what they call it...

But I have never seen a pilot bushing for an automatic (?)  It doesn't seem as though there should be a need for such a thing at all....

[Vincent Waldon]

Yup, I'd call it a pilot bearing... it holds the tranny's pilot shaft.  I believe it's a Vanagon thing, since the Vanagon has the more traditional clutch.

Hopefully a Transporter person will weigh in to clarify.  

[Vincent Waldon]

Thanks Andrew.   Looking at it more carefully there's no evidence of "bearings" in the picture, now that you mention it.   

While we're on the subject...is the pilot bearing a Transporter thing or more of a non-transverse engine/clutch thing... ie, have you seen pilot bearings in Quantums as well?

[burn_your_money]

What would the symptoms be if this was not installed? (the bushing the OP posted)

[snakemaster]

 spigot bearing          http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&&sa=X&ei=seliTLvJD9OC4QaXt82DCg&ved=0CB8QvwUoAQ&q=spigot+bearing&spell=1

[colectb]

Yeah this is no bearing at all. It's all solid. I was going to have someone machine me a new one if I couldn't track one down. It is strange though that the only thing on the parts diagram at the VW/ Audi dealer was a "needle bearing."

So is a "Spigot bearing" a british-only term? I've never heard of it before.

[colectb]

Haha, alright, well thanks a lot! That parts guy ordered part 10 on the diagram.

I appreciate the help!

[TPW]

There is a bearing or home-made brass bushing in the end of the crankshaft that will have to be removed before installing the new bushing.

[westcoaster]

What would the symptoms be if this was not installed? (the bushing the OP posted)

This would be the end result. Symptoms?

Premature failure of the transmission input shaft bearing.

To picture this you would need to think of a situation where the clutch pedal is depressed freeing the clutch disk from the firm grasp of the pressure plate.

You have a big heavy clutch disk spinning on the end of a 5" to 8" shaft at 5500 rpm. If there is no support on the end of that shaft (in the form of a pilot bearing or bushing) it'll tend to flop around all over the place. As it's flopping about and you release the clutch pedal the clutch disk won't necessarly be centered in the middle of the flywheel/pressure plate combo.

[westcoaster]

The bushing pictured by the OP is for automatic transmissions only.  I imagine that it's only purpose is to ensure that the torque converter is properly positioned while it is bolted to the driveplate.  

My bad. I'll go away now....







 

[84tdrabbit]

What would the symptoms be if this was not installed? (the bushing the OP posted)

This would be the end result. Symptoms?

Premature failure of the transmission input shaft bearing.

To picture this you would need to think of a situation where the clutch pedal is depressed freeing the clutch disk from the firm grasp of the pressure plate.

You have a big heavy clutch disk spinning on the end of a 5" to 8" shaft at 5500 rpm. If there is no support on the end of that shaft (in the form of a pilot bearing or bushing) it'll tend to flop around all over the place. As it's flopping about and you release the clutch pedal the clutch disk won't necessarly be centered in the middle of the flywheel/pressure plate combo.

this, or replace all the "clutch & pressure plate" with "flex plate and torque converter"

a tq converter is probably heavier than a clutch setup FWIW..

[burn_your_money]

The bushing pictured by the OP is for automatic transmissions only.  I imagine that it's only purpose is to ensure that the torque converter is properly positioned while it is bolted to the driveplate.  

My bad. I'll go away now....

All good, my truck (6.9l) has one of these and is standard and I think it is worn, and my mom's Mk1 auto Jetta makes some awful noises when cranking so I think the torque converter might not be centered. I know I didn't install one when I installed the engine. This is the first I have heard of such a thing.

[burn_your_money]

Andrew I just spoke with my dealership and he told me there is no stock in NA. How long ago did you check stock?  Would you mind calling your dealer to see if they have it perhaps?

[colectb]

Yeah, it IS for the Auto trans, and I did remove the old copper one with the bolt and grease trick. I ordered a new one from the dealership and it should be here by tomorrow.... I hope. I would really love to get the engine in and running by tomorrow night! I'll post pics when it's all finished!