Pilot bushing removal

CurlyA6 · Nov 21, 2011

Does anyone have another method for removing a pilot bushing?

I read in the manual to pack the crankshaft cavity and pilot bushing hole with grease then drive a rod (matching the i.d. of the bushing) into the grease to force the bushing out hydraulically. In case that fails, is there another way I can get the bushing out without damaging it?

Only the very face edge of my bushing is worn, and if I can get it out cleanly I'd like to reverse it and reinstall it...so using a slide hammer to pull the bushing is not a good option. Is that okay, turning the bushing around and reusing it?

Thanks.

zookeeper · Nov 21, 2011

I can think of no good reason at all for re-using a pilot bushing. They are so cheap it's not even funny and using a new one prevents possible headaches like noisy shifting, vibrations from wear plus the never-ending thrill of removing the trans to replace the $10 part you thought looked OK. Get it out however you like and toss it in the trash and don't look back.

CurlyA6 · Nov 22, 2011

Good advice. I'll yank and toss it today.

Thanks.

WTFO · Nov 22, 2011

I've used a Dremel tool with their cut-off wheels to get pilot bushings out in my Bronco IIs. Cut little hash marks as deep as possible then use a small bit chisel to chip it out piece by piece if necessary. Of course just have to watch out on the crank. Good luck!!

65coupe408w · Nov 22, 2011

I know it sounds strange, but I tried the grease method on my brothers stang once and it didnt work, so we resorted to bread, we manged to compact 2 whole slices into the small opening but sure enough it popped the bearing right out in the end...just another thought. Good luck!

Hack · Nov 22, 2011

Grease never worked for me, but I have used a bar of soap in the same manner. It always works great. Just carve off hunks of the bar and stuff them into the opening until it's full. Then use a bolt and a BFH - it will come right out.

I actually bought a slide hammer specifically for pulling pilot bearings but that never worked very well for me either.

Edit: I would also recommend upgrading to the bearing version rather than using the solid bronze bushing.

WTFO · Nov 22, 2011

65coupe408w said:
I know it sounds strange, but I tried the grease method on my brothers stang once and it didnt work, so we resorted to bread, we manged to compact 2 whole slices into the small opening but sure enough it popped the bearing right out in the end...just another thought. Good luck!

That's awesome!!! Was it white or wheat??

CurlyA6 · Nov 23, 2011

Hack,

I got lucky and the grease method worked for me. My short extension for the 1/2" drive ratchet was just a bit too small for the pilot busing hole, but a couple wraps of painter's tape made a nice seal and almost no grease weeped out. Bearing popped right out.

Shame, I wanted to try the soap or bread options. I'll keep that in my arsenal for next time.

I didn't even know there was a bearing option...I'll look into it.

Thanks.

Hack · Nov 25, 2011

CurlyA6 said:
Hack,

I got lucky and the grease method worked for me. My short extension for the 1/2" drive ratchet was just a bit too small for the pilot busing hole, but a couple wraps of painter's tape made a nice seal and almost no grease weeped out. Bearing popped right out.

Shame, I wanted to try the soap or bread options. I'll keep that in my arsenal for next time.

I didn't even know there was a bearing option...I'll look into it.

Thanks.

Glad to hear it went well. Grease is a good material to use if you can because it cleans out very easily. More viscous materials take a bit more effort to remove.

Good idea using tape to get a tighter fit. I bought a bolt that was a little too big to fit and then ground it down little by little until it went in.

Yeah, Ford put bearings rather than bushings in the 80s and newer manual transmission cars, so they are very common. Any parts store should have them, depending on the engine you are working with.

CurlyA6 · Nov 26, 2011

I didn't know that (all my experience has been with '67-68 Mustangs). I've got the O.D and I.D. written down...off to the parts store to see if they can help me out.

Does the bearing come pre-lubed and sealed, or is there any tricks I should know to lube the bearing without ruining the clutch plate?

Thanks.

John

Hack · Nov 27, 2011

CurlyA6 said:
I didn't know that (all my experience has been with '67-68 Mustangs). I've got the O.D and I.D. written down...off to the parts store to see if they can help me out.

Does the bearing come pre-lubed and sealed, or is there any tricks I should know to lube the bearing without ruining the clutch plate?

Thanks.

John

Unless you have a top notch local parts guy you will probably want to ask for a pilot bearing from an '89 Mustang GT. Even the worst parts monkey should be able to locate it with that info. Then you can check and verify it will work with your crank/transmission combination.

They come pre-lubed. Just press it in.

CurlyA6 · Nov 27, 2011

Great, I'll start with asking for the pilot bearing for a '89 Mustang GT and will bring the old bushing for size comparison.

Much appreciated suggestion, thanks.

CurlyA6 · Nov 29, 2011

Hmmm, local partsdude had different dimensions (O.D. and I.D.) in his book for the '89 GT Mustang pilot bearing, but Mustangs Plus had what I believe to be the correct one in stock. I'll let you know how it works out.

Thanks.

Hack · Nov 29, 2011

CurlyA6 said:
Hmmm, local partsdude had different dimensions (O.D. and I.D.) in his book for the '89 GT Mustang pilot bearing, but Mustangs Plus had what I believe to be the correct one in stock. I'll let you know how it works out.

Thanks.

Please post the results. It will be helpful for others in the future looking to do the same thing.
Thanks,
Mike

CurlyA6 · Dec 1, 2011

Right-o. Here's what I found. Mustangs Plus electronic catalog, page 266, part number 7583 "65-73 Mustang Roller Pilot Bearing." Sort of a sketchy description, so I called and asked Kris to pull one off the shelf and measure it with a micrometer. It is 1.38" o.d. and .675 i.d., approximately. Sold for $17.95 and arrived the next day. I laid it on the old bushing (on my workbench) and eyeball calipers indicated a perfect match in three dimensions. I slipped it on the tranny input shaft...perfect fit. I installed it in the crankshaft by tapping on a 1 1/16" socket protecting the bearing. Easy installation. I've now got the tranny in and awaiting one last part before testing the bearing, but all indications are good.

Thanks again for all the help.

Hack · Dec 1, 2011

Is this a 289 with a 4 speed toploader application or a 390, 302...? I'm sorry if you already said and I missed it.

CurlyA6 · Dec 4, 2011

Well...I thought it was a 302 with a 4 speed Toploader, but now find the block number is a '69 351W. Crazy.

Kelley97 · Jan 18, 2012

I recently replaced the clutch in my '90 mustang lx. The pilot bearing everybody had listed as the correct one was too big on my transmission shaft. The one in the car was like .59. Think the stock one is like .63 or .67. Found one at napa. Anybody seen one this small on any other mustangs?

Pilot bushing removal

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