gary6672

Unfortunately I fitted a roller pilot bearing and it has failed!
I have removed the old bronze bushings in the past with grease a piece of dowel, no worries.
However I cannot get the needle bearing type to move out!

Has anyone solved this problem?

I'll be replacing it with the bronze type.


Gary
Perth West Australia

Vet65te

Thinking that a rollerized pilot bearing was the best thing since 'sliced bread' I added one to my 66 smallblock Coupe. Problems cropped up and pointed to a wasted bearing. Here's a shot of what mine looked like alongside a new roller bearing.

By the way, I used the GM version which has more rollers than the aftermarket version but it didn't seem to help. To remove the remnants, I wound up using a Blind Bearing Puller and found a cheap set at Harbor Freight.
Mike T.

6D2148

slide hammer and a hook

DZAUTO

I have posted this picture before.
Here is what can happen to the pilot (right) on the end of a tranny input shaft when a roller bearing fails.



Now, with that said, If a roller bearing is used-----------------about the best and only insurance against failure is to THOROUGHLY pack the rollers with TOO MUCH grease.

Mike Geary

Same exact tool I used.

Bluestripe67

This "roller vs solid bronze bushing" thing has been out there quite a while. 20 months ago I pulled my eng/trans and replaced my cl/pp/tob. I did not replace my GM bronze bushing that had been in place since '85 I think. It may well be the original since my memory is not that great WAY BACK then of having changed it. At the very least, I have 104K miles on the current one. If it is the orig, it has 217K miles. I think this my prove the point that the bronze bushing is the right thing to use. Dennis

wmf62

BUT, what do you do when the 5sp vendor says you have to use a roller bearing to maintain your warranty?
Bill

cv67

id use a bushing anyway how would they know

I bought the GM fluted pilot bushing they measure out absolutely perfectly better than the Milodons Ive been using. Just had 1300 of trans work done due in part to a tight fitting pilot bushing.

Spend 10 bux and get the good one.

Mike Geary

would you have the GM # handy?

Vet65te

Mike - Here's the fluted bushing I got from GM about two years ago.

Mike T.

ctjackster

the tool I used to remove my [incredibly stubborn] pilot bushing is shown in this post detailing my clutch R&R hijinks

gary6672

Interesting story Jack, in Australia we would call the bearing a"Bloody Mongrel of a thing!"
I am trying the tap & bolt method today and if that doesnt work I'll have to source a bearing puller like you used.
wish me luck,
Gary

67TBowl

Gary,

Would it be possible to use a dremel tool or small grinder and make a cut in the bearing shell, then collapse it until it loosens up ?

Best of Luck,
Mark

babbah

ctjackster

Good luck - it's never a dead end, you just might have to escalate to the next level!

gary6672

Success!
Bought a Blind Pilot Bearing puller from the local Auto parts store and out it came. Only cost $AU35, made in Taiwan but it did the job.
Took two attemps, first pulled out the roller cage and the second pulled the bushing out.

Gary

ctjackster

You've gotta love it when a plan comes together