TOB spins all the time. Pilot only spins when clutch is released (pedal pushed in).

The short shaft spins with the clutch plates & TT, but goes into the back of the crank. The pilot bearing is the "interface" between the short shaft & crank.

BUT... The forces on the TOB are considerably different when the clutch is engaged vs released. So it's not impossible for a noise that appears when pedal is pushed (clutch released) to be the TOB.

Based on your description, I'd guess TOB, not pilot bearing. When my pilot went, it made a high-pitched "Squeaky-squeaky" noise when the pedal was down, and a fairly loud "Gronk - Gronk" sort of noise as the clutch was engaged (as the pedal was coming up), but no noticeable noise when going down the road.

Dropping the clutch is ridiculously simple in these cars. The pilot bearing is dirt cheap (like less than $10). The TOB is more, like $150.00 (yes, one hundred fifty) and that's for just the bearing - you need to press the old one out and new one in - no big deal with a press.

If you think it might be the pilot bearing, don't screw around. If you toast it, it will seize onto the short shaft and getting it out will be...

Challenging.

BTDT.

ya, i just hate fighting with that intermediate shaft. I kept telling my self that the next time that clutch came out, a Precision Motorwerks clutch.... but greg has been a little busy to do a single clutch upgrade for the DD clutch people.....

:-)