Pilot Bearing Ruined! Need help!!

[redmustangt]

I was in the process of installing a SPEC aluminum flywheel and 6 puck clutch. I got the tranny, factory clutch and flywheel out easy but my pilot bearing is stuck. I started out using the pilot bearing removal tool and it ripped out all the bearings and seals in the center basically just leaving the metal ring portion of the pilot bearing. The removal tool will not grip the bearing now. I tried tapping it with a hammer, I tried to slide it out with pliers and screwdrivers and it wont budge.
The only thing that I can think of is to cut it out now, I cant put the car back together until I get this bearing out. Any help would be appreciated

 

[COramprat]

All I can suggest is to keep ripping at it the best you can. I did the same and finally got it after getting at it with claw tools.

 

[MaxedGT]

As a last resort. The outer ring is hardened and brittle. You can use a hammer and chisel to break it and then just pull the pieces out. Don't wail on it and be careful not to damage the crankshaft.

 

[eliteJAE]

Same happened to me a couple weeks ago, if you have an air compressor, try creating a seal around the air nozzle and create positive pressure in the resulting space, could pop off and out.

What we had to finally do, because mine was badly stuck, was rip up a cotton towel and grease it up and force pieces of it into the center hole with a chisel and hammer until the rags pushed the pilot bearing out. Pretty random and crude but it worked, was too afraid to break it out and damage the crankshaft in the process.

good luck man

 

[soupnutz]

What worked for me, and i can't take credit for it, was pack it full of play-doh, read about using grease but it was too thin. But packed with play-doh then used a bolt that just fit and hammered it in and the pressure forced it out.

 

[redmustangt]

Ok I went out today and worked on the bearing. I hammered it with a chisel but it didnt break apart. I also tried packing it with grease which didnt work either.
Here are some pictures of the pilot bearing, its covered in grease but you can see where I hit on it and how the center is pulled out.

 

[redmustangt]

Here is a picture of the new pilot bearing as well so you can see the difference.
Im thinking about just towing the car to a shop and having them pull it out.

 

[eliteJAE]

Try shoving in rag pieces or play doh like we suggested man, it'll work it did for us.

 

[redmustangt]

ok I got the bearing out yesterday. I had to take a chisel and break it apart.

 

[tonytaylor85]

those rental removal tools suck. I always end up filing them down and adjusting the angles and still end up cursing at it.

 

[flstang65]

I broke down and bough a pilot bearing removal tool. IMHO it was worth the money.