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How to replace Spigot Bush

If you have the engine out and are replacing the clutch, or you are getting an awlful screaming noise from the rear of the car in the area of the clutch, you should replace your spigot bearing!

There are two types of spigot bearing, the most common and fitted to the majority of imps is a solid phosphor bronze bush, very late cars have a needle roller bearing instead.
This article covers replacing the phosphor type

Tools Required
Soft Mallet / Soft Drift, Hammer, 'Close Fitting Tool' gearbox input shaft, long M10 Cap screw or something you have found in the shed!, 1/2" AF Spanner for Clutch Cover Bolts, Molygrease / LM Grease, Clean/Fresh Engine Oil to soak the new bush in.

 

  1. Believe it or not but this solid looking metal bush is full of little holes, these provide a reservoir for oil, but you need to get some oil in them holes!
    The supplier of this bush had penned a handy reminder on the popper bag! You need to soak in engine oil for a while (I left this one for a week) but a day or two is fine.

    *DO NOT just coat in oil and fit, it is simply not enough time for the bush to soak up any oil. So get one in advance!


     
  2. If you haven't done this already, then remove the clutch cover, a little tip is that if you position the spanner as the picture shows, you can use a soft mallet on the spanner to loosen the cover bolts without locking the flywheel - this works if the force of the mallet blow is towards the crank. If you can't loosen the bolts with this method, as the flywheel keeps turning, then use a large flat bladed screwdriver against one of the flywheel teeth and a bellhousing stud - to hold the flywheel, whilst using a spanner to undo the cover bolts.


     
  3. *NOTE once you have loosened the cover bolts, undo them evenly to slowly release the cover pressure!

    Remove the clutch cover and the friction plate - don't drop them or get grease/oil on them!
    Now you can see the spigot bearing (gold bit), note its position in the crank - passed the large chamfer in the end of the crank.

    How an earth do you get that out?


     
  4. There are a number or methods to get the bush out.

    * You can use a Rawl Bolt and a slide hammer
    * A proper bearing remover!
    * Drill it out and pick the remains out

    or use the 'Power of Hydraulics'!


     
  5. For this method you need to find something that is a close (but not tight!) fit in the spigot bearing, suitable things are an old gearbox input shaft, the head of an M10 cap screws is about right, I'm using the centre part of one of those clutch alignment tools
    You need then to pack the spigot bearing/crank hole with grease - LM or Molyslip will do - try not to trap air in the hole.


     
  6. Now place you close fitting tool just a little way into the spigot bearing - if there is little or no air, you should feel resistance - if not repack with grease to get rid of the air.
    Now with a mallet/hammer give your close fitting tool a sharp tap, pushing it into the spigot bearing hole. With a bit of luck you should see the spigot bearing pop out a bit!
    Repeat the steps above until the spigot bush is all the way out (this one took 3 goes!)


     
  7. Clean out all the grease! Do not get any on the flywheel!


     
  8. Remove the bush from its oily pool, give it a quick wipe and offer up to the the end of the crank.
    GENTLY tap in using a plastic drift (or soft mallet if you are very careful) make sure it goes fully passed the chamfer in the crankshaft (see step 3) DO NOT use a metal hammer, as you will bur the bush!
    Job Done!

(c) Andy Smith 2025