Best Way to Remove and Install Pilot Bearing?

[Realmongo]

The old one is really stuck in there. What is the best way to get the old pilot bearing out of the crankshaft and then install the new one without damaging anything?

 

[Hef5.0weisen]

pack the hole with grease, and hammer a dowel into it. Worked for me one time, knocks it out "hydraulically". Good luck man

 

[shallto]

I recently had this same problem. I tried the grease trick but it didn't work. Go to auto zone and rent a "blind hole puller" . It was 140 dollars to rent (you do get your money back). Worked like a champ.

 

[Got N2O]

I've never had the grease work for me, and the only pullers I tried were cheap ones that bent. I always end up cutting the old one out with a chisel (carefully). It works well, and if you are careful you won't even nick the crank. I did the clutch in my brother and laws explorer. The pilot bearing was in the flywheel. NICE! You just tap it out with a hammer, it was sweet. I wish the 5.0s were like that.

 

[Mavrick]

Mine was a royal pain in the ass... I rented a slide hammer for the job, but that sucked. In the end, the grease worked for me. The trick is finding a dowel that is the right size, to just barily slip through the pilot bearing (old input shaft maybe).

To tap the new one in, i used an impact socket + hammer and it went in straight as an arrow.

 

[Realmongo]

When everyone talks about a dowel, do you mean something like a carriage bolt the same diameter as the transmission input shaft?

Mine was a royal pain in the ass... I rented a slide hammer for the job, but that sucked. In the end, the grease worked for me. The trick is finding a dowel that is the right size, to just barily slip through the pilot bearing (old input shaft maybe).

To tap the new one in, i used an impact socket + hammer and it went in straight as an arrow.

 

[clarkjr]

I've done it three ways, grease, grinder and puller. Try the grease first then puller then mangle it if no luck. If you choose #3, be very, very careful that you do not harm the crank.

 

[Numbles]

Used grease once and that didn't work. Rented a puller and came out fine.

 

[tunedin302]

Done them all and the best way is the slide hammer with proper adapter. I got mine at autozone for $40.

 

[ninety15.0]

Took a slide hammer from autozone and then grinded down the ends to fit in those two small notches and ver lightly eased it out...good luck

 

[z28kla]

as for the dowel I have used the clutch alignment tool. Craftsman sells a pilot bearing puller for about 50$. Either way works but I would try the grease method first...good luck.

 

[Mark89coupe]

I did the grease method. I used a socket with and extension and it came right out.

 

[tunedin302]

I did the grease method. I used a socket with and extension and it came right out.

consider yourself lucky! Good job

 

[Realmongo]

Well the grease idea did not work and neither did the slide hammer. Only the center came out. The main body has not moved at all.

 

[tunedin302]

Get yourself a chisel and carefully chip out the remaining ring.

 

[84blkstang]

I bought a puller from o rileys it was like $10 and it screws in the pilot bearing. and you pump it full of grease, it slid right out, no hitting anything came out ;like a champ

 

[Got N2O]

I bought a puller from o rileys it was like $10 and it screws in the pilot bearing. and you pump it full of grease, it slid right out, no hitting anything came out ;like a champ

cool, I haven't seen that kind of puller... sounds interesting

 

[Realmongo]

Well it's out thank God. I went to Sears and got the Craftsman 1/4" steel chiesel. Then spent 2 evenings under the car slowly picking the old one apart. Crankshaft has some minor nicks in the bearing pocket that should clean up with emery paper. Is the new bearing normally tapped in dry or lightly lubricated?