PTO Input Shaft / Pilot Bearing question

[MOTractor]

I am getting ready to put my tractor back together this weekend. Pilot bearing has been replaced, it is a ball bearing type, not brass. Do I grease the tip of the shaft where it inserts into the pilot bearing? What about the splines there the shaft pass thru the disc?

 

[Harry in Ky]

I wouldn't. The grease will serve no useful purpose, and it might somehow actually end up on the clutch lining later on.

 

[Mysfyt]

Grease on the pilot end is OK but not necessary. It would only serve to aid the pilot sliding into the inner bearing race. As far as the splines go, absolutely not! You don't want anything migrating into the clutch discs. I just make sure the splines are clean and don't have any burrs where the discs have to slide. Also, check the splines for wear where the discs ride on it. If they are grooved, I would recommend replacing the shaft. Before installing the discs and pressure plate, try sliding the new disc(s) on the shaft to check that they slide freely. Do you have a line up shaft for bolting up the pressure plate?

 

[MOTractor]

Grease on the pilot end is OK but not necessary. It would only serve to aid the pilot sliding into the inner bearing race. As far as the splines go, absolutely not! You don't want anything migrating into the clutch discs. I just make sure the splines are clean and don't have any burrs where the discs have to slide. Also, check the splines for wear where the discs ride on it. If they are grooved, I would recommend replacing the shaft. Before installing the discs and pressure plate, try sliding the new disc(s) on the shaft to check that they slide freely. Do you have a line up shaft for bolting up the pressure plate?

Sounds good, clean but no grease. The only shaft I have is the PTO input. I was thinking (sometimes dangerous !) that I could use that shaft to help line up the drive disc and install clutch, then remove shaft and slide it into the back half of tractor an then roll the back half into place. I know nothing ever goes the smoothly! I also made a couple of long alignment pins out of 12mm bolts - cut the heads off, rounded that end, and put a screwdriver slot in it. They will go in the top 2 holes.

Will I need another shaft for aligning?

 

[Harry in Ky]

Not really. Alignment tools are handy, yes, but not absolutely necessary. I use them if I have one that fits, but very often just "eyeball" it. A small flashlight to light up the hole and a little practice at working the disc centers side to side as the assembly is bolted up to the flywheel just tight enough to hold the discs in place but still able to be moved works well enough for me. I just focus on the pilot bearing and work the discs until they look concentric with it.

 

[Mysfyt]

Is there an access plate in the flywheel housing? If so, you might be able to assemble the pressure plate and disc loose and tighten up the bolts when the shaft is in the pilot bearing. Rotate the engine to tighten the pressure plate bolts.

You can try Harry in Ky eyeball method, but when I tried that on my first car it didn't work. We are talking only several thousands of an inch tolerance.