Engine Obstinate Pilot Bearing removal

AeroCoupe · Feb 13, 2026

Get some all thread that will just fit the ID of the race and weld it up and slide hammer the out of it.

JD1964 · Feb 13, 2026

If the bearing race is hardened steel, I think it will work best welding similar hardened steel to it.

I’m a novice welder beginning just within the last few months. When practicing I quickly learned how much easier it is two pieces of the same metal together. When I tried mixing types of steel it didn’t work well at all. Albeit, that’s novice me with a $99 Harbor Freight flux core welder. It can be messy. An experienced welder with a MIG could handle this easily probably

JD1964 · Feb 13, 2026

And there’s anti splatter compounds you can put on the crank hub before you weld in that area. It will keep the splatter from sticking to the machined crank hub surface. One little bb splatter overlooked could cause the flywheel to not be flush on the hub. So prevent the splatter from sticking in the first place with anti splatter spray. Then when you’re done, double and triple check the flange to make sure nothing stuck to it. You can quickly grind any imperfections off if needed.

JD1964 · Feb 13, 2026

Put the flywheel bolts in too. Do it to keep any welding splatter out of the holes

AeroCoupe · Feb 13, 2026

Could also arc the bolts and weld them into the crank. A good welder with a tig rig can weld the all thread to the race and it will come out.

Dissimilar metals are easily welded together with the proper weld procedure.

JD1964 · Feb 13, 2026

You could also cover the bolt holes with small pieces of tape

manicmechanic007 · Feb 14, 2026

That is thin stainless steel crammed into a cast iron hole in a crank
The welder will laugh and say to find a mechanic
Sure, he could weld it to anything, but he won't

AeroCoupe · Feb 14, 2026

Get a different welder. I live in this world and know several welders that can do it.

GOvert · Feb 15, 2026

What is the update on the removal?

FastDriver · Feb 16, 2026

It's out, and I was dumb. Using the puller requires, 1. remove the center & bearing material, and 2. findinging these designed insert slots and ensuring the jaws open firmly into them.

Jack Farrell · Feb 16, 2026

nickyb said:
So the old bread trick won't work. Might be worth trying .

A very reliable method for stubborn pilot bearings

JD1964 · Feb 16, 2026

Nice! I learned something. And we were all dumb. Lol

General karthief · Feb 16, 2026

I noticed those slots on the last couple pilot bearing I installed, now I don't have to wonder anymore.
Sleep at last....

AeroCoupe · Feb 16, 2026

I always wondered wtf they were for. I tried the jaws and a slide hammer once and have used bread ever since which has been less than a dozen times.

manicmechanic007 · Feb 21, 2026

Next time just use bread and be done in 10 minutes

GOvert · Feb 21, 2026

White or wheat?

AeroCoupe · Feb 21, 2026

Me personally I like brioche because the left overs make great french toast.

manicmechanic007 · Feb 21, 2026

I used white bread on this one last Friday on a 1996 F350 7.5
It's way easier than using grease which I learned on
I put a bunch of crust, and the inside white, it took 3 pieces to get the thing to start coming out, then popped right the hell out with the next wad
You can see the remnants of some bread in the photo

Noobz347 · Feb 21, 2026

I mean... How else did you all think it got the name, "Wonder Bread"?

GOvert · Feb 22, 2026

It's been a minute since I have removed a pilot bushing/bearing. I too learned on grease and a socket snapped on backwards to an extension for a pusher. It has to fit real snug and I kind of remember wrapping electrical tape around the socket to make it fit tighter. I can see where the bread will work. Particularly white bread. We used to smush it into a gooey ball and put it on a fishhook to catch fish. One time I didn't have any grease and resorted to packing the hole with leftover RTV. It setup for a few minutes then it popped out just like using grease.
The last bronze bushing that was removed at our shop, brother drilled a pair of 1/4" holes in it to weaken it up a bit and it popped right out with the slide hammer tool. Yes, bronze is way softer to drill into than what the OP was attempting to drill into, the bearing with the steel outer race of the old roller bearing.

Engine Obstinate Pilot Bearing removal

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

JD1964

there is enough sticking out to grab on to

JD1964

there is enough sticking out to grab on to

JD1964

there is enough sticking out to grab on to

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

JD1964

there is enough sticking out to grab on to

manicmechanic007

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

GOvert

FastDriver

I was uncomfortably high & wearing a helmet

Jack Farrell

Member

JD1964

there is enough sticking out to grab on to

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

manicmechanic007

GOvert

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

manicmechanic007

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

GOvert

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Engine Obstinate Pilot Bearing removal

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

there is enough sticking out to grab on to

there is enough sticking out to grab on to

there is enough sticking out to grab on to

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

there is enough sticking out to grab on to

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

I was uncomfortably high & wearing a helmet

Member

there is enough sticking out to grab on to

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

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