removing pilot bearing

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Dec 31, 2008 | 08:24 PM

hotroddually

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 1,243

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From: Maple Ridge B.C. Canada

removing pilot bearing

my son called me last night. he is doing the clutch in his '94 f 150 4x4. its a 5 speed trans. he was trying to remove the pilot bearing and couldn't get it out. i told him to fill the center hole up with grease and find a snug fitting dowel, or bolt and hit it with a hammer so the grease would push the bearing out. he tried and that didn't work.i have never found it hard to remove this before.im not close enough to go help him,so if anyone has an alternative method to remove the pilot bearing i would be greatful for the suggestions. im conserned he may damage the fly wheel if he tries pounding it out.

thanks

Dec 31, 2008 | 08:25 PM

ctubutis

Moderator

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 22,415

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From: Denver Metro Area, CO

Go rent a pilot bearing puller.

Dec 31, 2008 | 09:01 PM

75F350

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Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 6,948

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Fill the bearing and crank with grease, and find or make a dowel that fits inside of the pilot bearing. (inside diameter) Then whack the dowel with a hammer. It does not take much, and it will pop right out. Be sure that you put a rag over everything as grease will fly around a little. Clean out crank, and install new bearing.
Simple and quick.

I know that you mentioned that, and it was not working, but I have yet to find a bearing that I cant remove this way. Make sure that the dowel is snug, or the grease will escape.

Dec 31, 2008 | 10:36 PM

rebocardo

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Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 13,873

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From: Atlanta GA

I have had pilot bearings (cage type) that went bad, ran dried, seized and welded to the crankshaft, and I had to remove them the hard way, especially since the factory ones may not have the notch that makes having a puller worth while.

The hard way involves removing the flywheel, getting an air chisel, and splitting the bearing/bushing in 1/2 or 1/4s without mauling the crank snout. I ground my muffler cutter to a fine edge and down so it would cleanly split the bearing. Then I used a needle nose to pick out the pieces. You have to clean it really well afterwards.

Dec 31, 2008 | 10:56 PM

mark a.

Lead Driver

Joined: Mar 2004

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You can buy a puller dirt cheep.

Jan 1, 2009 | 09:31 PM

hotroddually

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 1,243

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From: Maple Ridge B.C. Canada

thanks for all of the replies folks. my son got it out today. the old grease and dowel trick wasn't working yesterday but it did partially today. so he got out the dremel and cut a groove in the outer race and then wacked the side of it with a punch.it split in half.he then worked it out. tommorrow i am going out to his house to put it all back in. new pilot bearing ,surfaced flywheel,new clutch,pressure plate and new hydraulic slave cylinder.