The pilot bearing of the Ford Ranger sits inside the front of the transmission housing, behind the flywheel, and is used to reduce the friction on the transmission when the clutch is engaged. Accessing the pilot bearing is a matter of removing the starter and pulling back the transmission housing to remove the clutch plate and flywheel. The pilot bearing should be replaced occasionally to keep the flywheel working properly.
Unfasten the negative battery cable of the Ford Ranger with an open-end wrench to prevent electric shock. Set the emergency brake. Place wood blocks behind the rear wheels and lift the front of the vehicle with a floor jack.
Slide jack stands under the front axle on both sides and lower the vehicle so it is resting on the jack stands. Detach the clutch push rod on the master cylinder with pliers. Locate the starter underneath the passenger side of the motor, in front of the transmission housing.
Unfasten the electrical wiring harness from the starter with a nut driver. Remove the bolts holding the starter to the transmission housing with a socket wrench. Unhook the hydraulic line from the clutch slave cylinder with the clutch disconnect tool, and unbolt the transmission housing from the motor with a socket wrench.
Take the starter off the transmission housing and move the housing back so you can access the flywheel inside the housing. Mark the pressure plate and housing inside the transmission so you know how it lines up when you get ready to replace the plate.
Loosen the bolts on the pressure plate that secure the plate to the flywheel with a socket wrench. Take the plate and clutch disc out of the transmission housing. Unfasten the bolts that secure the flywheel to the housing and remove the flywheel.
Slide the pilot bearing that sits behind the flywheel out of the transmission housing of the Ford Ranger.
