How to change pilot bearing?

[Dean85GT]

I managed to pick up a 4 banger tranny for basically nothing. My car has a new clutch and flywheel so I dont want to pull the bellhousing when I swap my tranny. Now my question is how to I swap the pilot bearing? I know the 4 cyl tranny requires a different one. I have never done this before and I was wondering if I could do it in my garage with basic tools (and air tools). Does the pilot bearing have to be pressed in? Does the bellhousing have to come off? Thanks alot

 

[jackchan]

it doesnt have to be pressed in. A simple small hammer and a socket nearly the same size as the outter race of the bearing will install it just fine.You will have to pull your bellhousing though and use a puller to pull the pilot bearing. I usually have to chisel out the bearing. Some people say use greese and pack the hole and then use a line up tool for a clutch disc and it will hydraulic it out. I've never had that work for me. I usually wind up chiseling it out. The BCA part number for the pilot bearing for the 4 cylinder trans is located in my sig. (BCA bearings 202SS) any good parts store can cross reference it and match it up.
good luck!
Jack

 

[Daggar]

If you end up having to use the chisel method, please examine the area carefully and know where the bearing starts and the lands end. You really do NOT want to end up gouging anything that is not part of the bearing.

 

[Dean85GT]

ughhh should i even use this tranny. I only paid 20 bucks for it. It sounds like a lot of trouble.

 

[jackchan]

you may have to get someone to decode the build tag on it, some were non world class and some were world class. The World class T-5's from behind 4 cylinders are better....better sycros, blocker rings etc. Prolly a little more power handling capability as well. if its a world class and you only paid $20 for it. I say go for it. If it dies your only out a little time and very little money. It all depends on what you plan on doing with your car. NORMAL driving.....it will hold up fine! Power shifting, racing with good tires.....could result in some carnage! But then again its only $20 right?
good luck
Jack

hey its a chevy but it shows a picture of pilot bearing.....and a little about install etc...pilot bearing link

 

[woodyy24]

not hard to do. drop the trans. rent a puller and slide hammer from auto zone.
like said. it was only $20 right? do some power shifting and have fun breaking it.

 

[Dean85GT]

The tranny is a out of an 87...

 

[Mavrick]

The grease trick works wonders..

 

[fyassine]

I am sitting here with a mess of bearing grease, broke pilot bearing puller, and a slide hammer that isn't doing anything to get this pilot bearing out.

I tried the suggestion of filling the hole up and socket with grease, tying a rag to seal it off, then tapping at it but this only left a big mess.

I tried the only pilot bearing puller harbor freight sells and managed to break one of the three metal prongs.

I went out and bought a slide hammer and this sucker doesn't even cause the bearing to even budge.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to get it out? I can provide pics if needed.

 

[Mark89coupe]

I tried the slide hammer on mine and it didnt do squat.
I then packed the hole with bearing grease and found a socket that fit tightly in the bearing. I then used a extension into the socket hit it with a hammer, then packed more grease until it came out very easily.
Take your time with the grease, it will work.

 

[midlife89]

grease works

Years ago when I changed my clutch,I used grease with a wooden dowel rod and the pilot bearing came right out.I've seen other people use grease with no problem either.Just make sure rod fits tight in the hole.

 

[Mark89coupe]

Just make sure rod fits tight in the hole.

Is that what she said?

 

[fyassine]

Think something like this would help?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=38145

 

[diablostang]

I drilled mine out.

 

[dkins419]

i used a bar of soap and broke it into small pieces. Then i packed it in and beat it in with a hammer and socket, packed more in and repeated til it came out.

 

[90mustangGT]

I am sitting here with a mess of bearing grease, broke pilot bearing puller, and a slide hammer that isn't doing anything to get this pilot bearing out.

I tried the suggestion of filling the hole up and socket with grease, tying a rag to seal it off, then tapping at it but this only left a big mess.

I tried the only pilot bearing puller harbor freight sells and managed to break one of the three metal prongs.

I went out and bought a slide hammer and this sucker doesn't even cause the bearing to even budge.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to get it out? I can provide pics if needed.

I shouldn't laugh, but I've been in the same position before. I've never used the greece method. Use higher quality tools for the slide hammer. You just have to keep f'in with it. They can be a real bitch, especailly on a ford. I know there is a special tool for pulling pilot berrings, kind of like an inverted gear puller thing. I have found that profanity works.

 

[dragnazz5.0]

use the soap method or wet paper towels before you try the grease method simply because they are both a lot cleaner. i tried every possible way to get it out and hand to end up using my dremel with a carbide bit to get it out. i spent 3 nights using different methods to get it out and none of them worked.....so i broke out the dremel and in 10 minutes i had it in two pieces throwing it across the road cussing at it

 

[fyassine]

use the soap method or wet paper towels before you try the grease method simply because they are both a lot cleaner. i tried every possible way to get it out and hand to end up using my dremel with a carbide bit to get it out. i spent 3 nights using different methods to get it out and none of them worked.....so i broke out the dremel and in 10 minutes i had it in two pieces throwing it across the road cussing at it

I finally got this thing out on one of my "ok ok this is the last @#$@$# try."
I ended up using the tool I linked from harbor freight. I didn't even realize the whole thing had come out because the entire floor, other tools, parts of the engine are a complete mess with this grease.

On my next day off I have to play clean up but finally feel good that I can start to actually put things on as opposed to get them off.

Anyone have a special way of getting all this crap off my tools and floor now? LOL

 

[dragnazz5.0]

the grease method is such a scam. i think its just to get newbs to make a f'ing mess in the garage. i tried for atleast two hours to get it to work. i used a socket that fit perfectly in there and packed it full of grease and every time id hit it with a hammer it would spew grease everywhere. i tried lightly tapping it in and hitting it as hard as i could....both ended up with grease on my clothes and face. i also tried a brand new chisel that i bought just for the job. i worked for 3 hours trying to chisel this thing out while laying on my back in the dark with a shop light hanging off of the wire harness. finally broke out the dremel and cut that SOB out if 10 minutes.

ps. this is the last time i turn a 5spd car into an auto, especially a c4

 

[90mustangGT]

i tried lightly tapping it in and hitting it as hard as i could....both ended up with grease on my clothes and face.

That is called the Moneyshot!!!

To get something to fit that tightly and have the berring come out, it couldn't have been that tight. The one I pulled last week you could tell the metal casting was distorted, making it so hard to get out. Most pilot berrings come out rather easy, but not on a ford. Because of this crap, this is what I am buying next week.