Just finished the slave and clutch. Very simple, straight forward pain in the *** job. Took like 10 hours. The thing that really ticks me off is that after 65k, my clutch looked brand new, but the slave was covered in fluid.

Anyway, after bleading through about 2 pints with the rear of the truck jacked to the garage ceiling, it is still tough to get into first sometimes. Everything else feels good though. I am having the dealer put on a new thermostat housing seal next week, so I may just have them bleed it again for me.

The real issue is that the "dirty tape player" noise that has always come from the tranny is now much worse. Especially in 5th. Could I have damaged the input shaft bearing wresting the tranny back or, or is possible that the insulation is now gone and that is the difference? Should I worry about it. From what I hear the noise is considered normal.

 

Yeah, it's recommended that you replace the pilot bearing if you remove the flywheel or have it machined. I didn't replace mine (I didn't reface the flywheel) when I did the old slave replacement........and I have that pilot bearing noise too. Been lucky so far, about 2 years now.

 

so likely the pilot bearing noise is annoying and not necessarily damaging. I would take all that crap off it was going to ruin something. If not I will just live with it until the slave goes again. Which could be sooner than later.