Best Way to Remove and Install Pilot Bearing?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

Mark89coupe said:

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

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consider yourself lucky! Good job

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

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

84blkstang said:

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

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