Best way to replace pilot bearina and rear main seal

[1990LXDropTop]

Best way to replace pilot bearing and rear main seal

Next week I'll be doing a clutch/tranny swap. I'm going to be replacing the pilot bearing and rear main seal as well. I have heard that the pilot bearing is a total PIA to remove, so I want to know the easiest way to remove it. Is there a special tool I need to rent/buy? What about the rear main seal? Is there a special tool required to remove it as well? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Daggar]

Seal puller for the seal and a slide hammer with a hook (also called a bearing puller).

 

[HISSIN50]

Daggs is right-on.

 

[Realmongo]

I first tried the hydraulic lock trick with no luck, so I rented a puller and it still would not come out, so in the end I had to buy a small chisel and chipped away at it until it came out.

 

[1990LXDropTop]

I heard there is some trick way to remove it using a bar of soap, an extension, and a hammer.

 

[stang0f87]

for the bearing, i had a machinist buddy of mine make me a shaft. first, i filled the bearing hole full of grease. then i slid the shaft in and wacked it a couple times with a hammer. that got it out far enough for me to pull it out by hand.

 

[v8only]

I literally broke the slide hammer tool on the bearing. the ONLY thing that would work for me was the compression/grease method.

However, grease is too sloppy. If you have to go that route, pick up a soft moldable clay (that's what I used both times). Some say soap, sounds promising. Trick then is to get the tightest fitting socket (wrap it with tape to get a more snug fit) fill it up with the clay, use an extension to block the end, and tap tap tap. It HAS to work, and will, simple physics once it's set up right.