It is seem that I can't get away from the Rangers. My first was a 94 XLT 5speed extra cab, 2wd. Does the the clutch myself a couple of times and finally gave it to my little brother who ended up trashing it. My second was 2000XLT 4x4 5speed 4doors, still have it. Been threw hell and back with this truck. Seem like the clutch system plagued the Ford Ranger. Did the clutch on it several time and got a brand new factory motor installed( can't resist discontinued motor from Ford). A few. years later the transmission took a dive and had it rebuilt (MAZDA ). Found out that the guy that I hired to install the engine doesn't replace pilot bearing, so had to get creative and install bushing instead of pilot bearing. Replaced the radiator with all aluminum. Driveline, replaced with new u-joints (just because). So, when come to the Ranger. I kinda know my way around a lil.
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Pilot bearing have lots of moving roller bearing, once the dust from the clutch get into it. Its no longer a very smooth rolling bearing. The reason I chose to go with preferably brass bushing. The shaft never touches the bushing and it is there just incase it touches. The earlier S-10 uses it and have never had problem with pilot bearing. I used exactly from the Chevy S10 pilot bearing (86). Instead of grease, I uses "anti-seize" around the pilot shaft and the bushing. It seem to work out great for the Ranger! I guessed, when I had the engine worked on. The guy didn't want to pull out the bearing or uses the bearing from the clutch kit. I would never know, cause I don't go there any longer.
Pilot bearings are SEALED bearings, so nothing can get inside. I've put hundreds of thousands of miles on pilots and had them last just fine. Don't overthink things....the engineers have already done that.