thanks Mark.  Cross shaft is same as shift fork, right?  It comes in the clutch kit sold by Van Cafe.  Is that where I should get the parts?  My mechanic uses their parts, and I have bought from them myself.  But I want to be sure.  Even if the pilot bearing is not bad, should it be replaced at this point prophylactically, given that we go in there?  Other advice?

Yeah, it makes sense that the pilot bearing is there.  I failed to reverse the components in my mind, given clutches of front engine, rear wheel drive that I have seen and seen graphics of.  I have not actually seen a Vanagon clutch, or that on any modern vehicle either, for that matter.  Just older ones (we're talking sixties cars).

Thanks, mcneely

---- mark drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET> wrote:
> Removing the flywheel is a pretty standard part of a full clutch job
> because the clutch pilot bearing is behind it so the flywheel has to
> come off. Also there is a main engine seal behind the flywheel that
> should be changed at the same time. Since the flywheel is already
> removed it can be resurfaced at the clutch friction area and that is a
> pretty standard part of a clutch job as well.
>
> I would insist on a new cross shaft as that is surely done for at this
> point.
>
> Mark
>
> The pilot bearing isn't going to be your problem
> Dave Mcneely wrote:
> >
> > Is there a possibility of a bad (possibly warped) flywheel contributing to this problem?  I would certainly not want to pay for a new clutch only to find out that the problem was essentially irreparable or required a flywheel to be pulled.
> >
> >

--
David McNeely