Pulling the Pilot Bearing.. ( without a puller)

[yeewiz]

Did you guys read Jenny Morgan in the March Roundel. She swears by the Assenmacher 6100A Blind Hole Bearing Puller. She says it's an "extraction orgasm". That's her words ...

[H_Krix]

Zac, I'm up in Marietta today working on my car as well. Give me a call if you need a hand. 404.863.8366

[wobpb377]

ok this was a thread from some time ago. I dont want to be a bother to the man the myth the legend but I have his tool and it doesn't seem to fit in the hole--just like zachs issue above. Who else has gotten there hands on blunts tool and lubed it up and inserted it in the tight hole--it just seems to big.

[Meintii]

ok this was a thread from some time ago. I dont want to be a bother to the man the myth the legend but I have his tool and it doesn't seem to fit in the hole--just like zachs issue above. Who else has gotten there hands on blunts tool and lubed it up and inserted it in the tight hole--it just seems to big.

I didnt read back through this again... but the tool that finally got it out was Bill Williams Snap on Pilot bearing puller.. IT WAS an extraction orgasm as said above.. after weeks of trying over four different tools the snap on was the one that came through for me in the end.. I dont have the part number though.. you may try to hit up bill williams.

-Zac

[savvy]

I, too, had an initial problem removing the pilot bearing from the '71 replacement engine. I used the wet toilet paper method and it gradually popped right out (about 15 wet sheets of Charmen).

[BillWilliams]

there you go!

[bazju]

Bringing this back.. I've got a needle type bearing that has somehow fallen back towards the crank (It was like this when I pulled the transmission!!). I'll upload a picture if need be to help get some ideas. I'm about to try the toilet paper method as I feel that will be easier for my situation. I've tried a pilot bearing puller, it fit in, but it just can't get a good enough grip and falls out. I'm worried that how the pilot bearing fell it will impede the toilet paper method :/

 

EDIT:

 

Okay toilet paper is a no go. It just isn't going to happen that way. I think the needles and bearing that fell back are creating air pockets. I don't see a way to get the part that fell in, back out. I'm about to try to push the whole thing in and just drop a new one in there are let the old one rattle around in the crank.... 

Edited June 25, 2014 by bazju

[Rocan]

Chew on a piece of soft bread, shove it in the hole. Using a wooden dowel or bolt of the same inside diameter of the bearing pack the soft wet bread into the hole and keep tapping. Works with ease. You may have to pack in a lot more then you're expecting, but it works much better then the grease method. The grease method doesn't work well because the grease is able to escape between the balls. 

[bazju]

The toilet paper was a messy failure. I'll try the bread as I really would like to not take extreme measures. If that doesn't work though I'm drilling it out. 

 

EDIT: Well this blows. Now I have a socket screwdriver stuck in my pilot bearing and still not budging. At this rate I can't even drill it out. I'm about to just pull this engine as I'm sick of sitting under the car.

Edited June 26, 2014 by bazju

[scanner]

I used the bread trick and it worked perfectly for me, i watched this YouTube clip before taking the plunge

[bazju]

I have a busted needle bearing, bread, toilet paper and a 11mm socket screwdriver stuck in my crankshaft now. I'm thoroughly defeated. Engine comes out tomorrow. I'm going to try and get the screw driver out. If not I'm cutting it, then drilling out the bearing. 

 

I ordered a bunch of gaskets and a water pump so I'll make the most of having the engine out. 

 

Anyone know if that is an adapter in the crankshaft to make the OD diameter fit the needle bearing? Or is the crankshaft different for the needle bearing type? I have a sealed bearing I'd like to use but can't really tell if the crankshaft is just smaller,  or if there is an adapter.

[peterschop]

The crankshafts are different. The needle bearing fits in a smaller diameter hole than the sealed bearing.

[bazju]

The crankshafts are different. The needle bearing fits in a smaller diameter hole than the sealed bearing.

 

That is unfortunate,  looks like I'll be using a needle bearing again. Thanks for the information.

[Conway]

I too have the needle bearing. After reading all the same posts you have, I decided to leave the old one in place when swapping the 5 speed. It wasn't making any noise and appeared to be in good shape. I threw some grease on it and let it be. Knock on wood......

Sorry you're having a Shitty time with it.

[peterschop]

When I pulled the needle pilot bearing out of my car, I rented a slide hammer from Autozone. It came with a puller attachment that I had to grind a little off one of the legs so it would fit in the hole. Using only one leg, I was able to hook the back edge of the bearing. With a number of hard whacks with the slide hammer I was able to get the bearing out in pieces. It wasn't easy but it worked. Maybe if you can get the socket screwdriver out, you can use this method. BTW, I did this from under the car with the engine still in.