www.chirpthird.com: AARRRGH!! - Pilot Bearing Removal Help Required

This is topic AARRRGH!! - Pilot Bearing Removal Help Required in forum SSOA: "Back Porch" at www.chirpthird.com.

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Posted by poSSum (Member # 119) on :

Trying to replace the pilot bearing on the Zed as a do it while I'm there maintenance item. I cannot get the old one out.

I tried prying ...

I tried pumping it full of grease and and creating hydraulic pressure by hammering in the clutch alignment tool ...the grease just squeezes out through the little clearance there is ...

I bought a slide hammer style removal tool and tried it ...it won't budge. [Mad]

Any suggestions?!?

Posted by Thom Mackesy (Member # 264) on :

Is it a roller or a brass bushing?

If it's a brass bushing type you could try to get it with a chisle or punch (carefully)

I'm surprised the slidehammer didn't work...

Posted by Steve da Wrench (Member # 1301) on :

Art, I had the same problem with my LS1 pilot bearing too. It is a roller bearing, and was VERY tight! I had to buy a special puller to remove it, and it still took a bunch of tries to get it out. The slide hammers did not work (I have 2 of them). The tool I bought is a large u-shape with a threaded rod in the middle that pushes on a center part the spreads out and grips the bearing. You are more than welcome to barrow mine, if you want to pay the shipping fees, or I can get the brand and part number on Monday if you want. I dont know of any other way to get it out. The grease didnt work for me either. Good luck and let me know if I can help any more.

Posted by 35th_camaro_ss (Member # 1738) on :

I did some searches and alot warned DO NOT USE GREASE OR ANYTHING FOR PRESSURE, some stated there is a type of plug in the back of the crankshaft that can be moved and can cause engine damage.

I have removed a pilot bearing one time by CAREFULLY grinding using a carbide dremel type bit in an air grinder being very careful NOT TO GRIND THROUGH into crankshaft, I ground in 2 places near eachother and as I was grinding the 2nd, it came loose and moved...prob wasnt the best idea, but it worked and was careful not to grind to far.
just an idea.
Al

Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :

J 23907 is the GM tool (slidehammer)

Absent the puller Steve mentions, it sounds like a small chisel to crack the outer race or a small grinder like mendtioned above is the only way to go.

Good luck.

Posted by poSSum (Member # 119) on :

Thanks for all the responses. [Smile]

Steve, yes I'd like the manufacturer and part number of the tool that worked for you.

Posted by 35th_camaro_ss (Member # 1738) on :

I saw also that autozone lends out the slide hammer tool...I also found this pilot bearing tool SK pn 92522

Posted by SS_CarGuy (Member # 2065) on :

Steve...........If the bearing is that hard to remove, do you recommend the freezer for the new bearing to shrink it before tapping it in?

Posted by Steve da Wrench (Member # 1301) on :

Art, Mine was from Powerbuilt (whoever that is!), and the part # 648619. It came in a very nice little black plastic case too. It looks exactly like the SK one pictured above (my guess is the same manufacturer made them). Their phone number is 1-800-423-3598

Yes, freeze the new one prior to installing it, and it should go in much easier. Just keep in mind when you do that, you have to make sure to get it tapped all the way into place quickly before it warms up, or they tend to stick in the place they warmed up at.

Posted by poSSum (Member # 119) on :

Thanks! [Smile]

Posted by poSSum (Member # 119) on :

Bought the tool. Didn't make the pull the first try, so I hit the bearing in two spots with a die grinder. Then the 3rd pull got the job done!!!

The new one went in okay without freezing. I also got the flywheel, clutch and tranny back in last night. [Big Grin]

Posted by Steve da Wrench (Member # 1301) on :

Glad it worked out........ told you they were tight! [Wink]

Posted by HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :

THIS is what having this forum is all about. Being able to help out our friends and share information about our cars.

It's refreshing to see a helpful, useful post around here lately.

Posted by Flamin' bird (Member # 786) on :

quote:
Originally posted by HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS:
THIS is what having this forum is all about. Being able to help out our friends and share information about our cars.

It's refreshing to see a helpful, useful post around here lately.

sounds like a commercial for something like Irish Spring! [Razz]

Posted by HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Flamin' bird:

quote:
Originally posted by HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS:
THIS is what having this forum is all about. Being able to help out our friends and share information about our cars.

It's refreshing to see a helpful, useful post around here lately.
sounds like a commercial for something like Irish Spring!

Invigorating [Big Grin]

Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :

quote:
Originally posted by poSSum:
Bought the tool. Didn't make the pull the first try, so I hit the bearing in two spots with a die grinder. Then the 3rd pull got the job done!!!

The new one went in okay without freezing. I also got the flywheel, clutch and tranny back in last night.

Excellent news! [Big Grin]

Posted by Hawkeye (Member # 88) on :

Ah - we knew you could do it poSSum. As Teri
said some good info from others and the job
got done.

I know that frustrating point in a job when you
think it can't be done. Sure feels good when
it's finished!

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