Removing pilot bearing
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Removing pilot bearing
I have a 74 I want to remove the pilot bearing/bushing. I think I remember filling the bearing with grease and then pounding an equal size socket wrench into the grease to squirt it out. Is that how it works? It's been a while. Thanks for any new tips on that if you have any.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
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yes that will work. I had an old clutch index I used. Use what ever tool slides easily through the hole, it doesnt need to be tight, just fill the hole. Test fit it before packing in the grease.
Then pack it and tap the tool in. Pull it back out, repack the hole, and do it again. If you use a socket, I would put it in head first so that it acts more like a piston and use a deep socket so you can get it back out. if you can use an extension to fill the square drive hole.
They make a puller but I would try the grease first, its alot cheaper and works pretty well
Then pack it and tap the tool in. Pull it back out, repack the hole, and do it again. If you use a socket, I would put it in head first so that it acts more like a piston and use a deep socket so you can get it back out. if you can use an extension to fill the square drive hole.
They make a puller but I would try the grease first, its alot cheaper and works pretty well
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Feb 6, 2019 at 08:15 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
I used the bread method. I kid you not, check you tube video's on this. You pack white bread and eventually it will push out the pilot bushing. No mess like grease will leave behind. I was truly surprised it worked but there you go.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 657
From: Thunder Bay
I have an old input shaft that I use. Hasn't let me down yet. I still remember the first time I tried it about 40 years ago, and thinking "This is ridiculous, this can't work." 
But it does.
But it does.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,240
Likes: 1,013
From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
I just thread a, I believe 5/8 inch bolt into the bushing. Didn’t even use a tap as the bushing material is so soft. As soon as the bolt bottoms in the crank, the bushing turns out. Two minutes and no mess.
Last edited by 69ttop502; Feb 6, 2019 at 10:05 PM.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
I think I'll give that method a try. Using bread did not work for me. Still messing with this, Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,369
Likes: 103
From: Centerville Louisiana
This is what I did but used a tap I thought it was 5/8 wasn’t sure. Didn’t want to misinform the size.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,240
Likes: 1,013
From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
Never has it not worked for me. Just use long enough bolt to reach the crank. If your bushing is the oil lite you won’t need a tap. If it is magnetic, you might need to tap it first.
Last edited by 69ttop502; Feb 7, 2019 at 05:50 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
I think it started to work but the bolt material was too soft and the bearings popped out. I can use it for the driver now and fill with grease after I buy some. That's the only reason I have not tried the grease method yet.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,743
Likes: 1,385
You can try one of these from autozone... free to borrow. Didn't work for me (just last year), but they are available. I ended up chiseling mine out (again). Chiseling it out is rather easy anyway -- just takes a little longer.
https://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tool...ype/470423_0_0
https://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tool...ype/470423_0_0
Last edited by carriljc; Feb 8, 2019 at 09:00 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,380
Likes: 6,391
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
I've never had the grease & hammer method work. I use a real pilot bushing removal tool, and it has never failed to draw the bushing out simply and easily. No problem. 
Lars
Lars