pilot bearing installation

yes you got to pull the tranny. know the hard part depending on your luck like most of us on here is how to get the pilot bearing out. some say a pilot bearing remover tool (can be rented from autozone or schucks) works, others say use the hydrallic grease method of packing the mofo with grease and finding something to push inside to force the bearing to come out (very measy method). both these methods can take mins, 1/2 hr, 1hr, etc. just depends on your luck. there are a few like myself who tried it all couldn't get to lil sucker out and responded by drilling the bearing out in little sections. however you must be sure you don't drill into the crank. what i did was drilled 3 to 4 little holes in the bearing itself/carefull not to go in to far. and use the little holes you drilled to chisel away at it. when i did that it took only 5 min to get the sucker out. oh and don't just replace the bushing, get the entire bearing! VIP --- i must stress the importance of cleaning the pilot bearing hole in the crank out of all debris. you don't want little metal shavings tearing up your newly install bearing, otherwise you'd be pulling it again real soon.
 
the 2nd pic is what mine looked like when i pulled the tranny... the rollers were all chewed up - no wonder my tranny felt horrible. when you do reinstall (1st pic) remember to put grease inside the crank hole where the bearing is supposed to go, also grease up the bearing itself prior to installing, then when you install use a wooden block and a mallet to gently tap it in.
 
mac..snapon..sk.. all three companies offer a basic pilot bearing removal tool that works well.. i prefer the one that mac/snap on sell i believe its made by astro pneumatic maybe a friend of yours has one that he would be willing to let you borrow. removing the old pilot bearing is a snap with that tool. once the bearing is out spray the hole that the bearing came out of down with some brake parts cleaner (it should dry almost instantly and be very close to clean) pack the new bearing with grease and tap it in (it might slide in fairly easily and it might be a pain to put in) either way get it in lol. Make sure when you reinstall the trans that you clean off the main/input shaft and put a light layer of grease on the throw out bearing retainer and the beginning of the input shaft where the 10splines are. Done
 
. when you do reinstall (1st pic) remember to put grease inside the crank hole where the bearing is supposed to go, also grease up the bearing itself prior to installing, a.



Uhm !!...Small question.. Why is it then, on the package from ford for the new pilot bearing it reads ... DO NOT ADD GREASE, UNIT COMES PRE-LUBED.
 
I packed mine with grease then wrapped electrical tape around a 3/8" extension. I then inserted it in the hole and pounded it in with a hammer, which in turn pushed the pilot bearing out. I had to repeat this process about 3 times, but it came out clean and easy.