vettfixr

I'm knee deep is winter projects and getting ready to replace the flywheel on my 74. While I'm in there I'm going to replace the pilot bearing on the crank with a roller bearing. I've read in the repair manuals that there is a pilot bearing removal tool and they also explain how to hydraulic the old bearing out by packing the crevice with grease, inserting a tight fitting rod and hitting it until the pressure from the back pops the bearing. I'm wondering if anyone has done this job and if there are any recommendations on the best way/tool to get it done right. Thanks.

Paul 75 L82

My advise is to forget the greese. Borrow a bearning removal tool. I did and it worked great. It's kind of like a dent removal tool, it has a sliding weight on a shaft. The shaft has two little hooks on the end that you insert into the bearning and hook on the back side of it, then snap the weight and out it comes. Easy. Good Luck.

ram82fire

If you have trouble getting your hands on a puller let me know ,,, I can mail mine to you to use !

G

SevenT1Shark

I have pulled maybe over a hundred, You have no worries. :cool: :cheers: :seeya ....

vettfixr

Hey thanks guys, that was fast. I'll have to check with the local auto stores to see if they have the tool to rent. They usually do. Sounds like I'm not in for as much trouble as I thought.

Tex71BB

Check with AutoZone (if you have them there). All the ones here "rent" tools for free (you basically pay for the tool, but if you return it in good condition, they give you ALL your money back) - pretty cool deal!! I used several for my front-end rebuild.

vettfixr

Thanks Tex
I've rented the "free" tools at Pep Boys and ABC Auto parts in my area. I'll stop on the way home from work today and see who has the tool.

Binnie77

This is a neat trick for removing a pilot bearing when you do not have a puller. Actually you push the bearing out...fill the inside cavity with heavy grease and then find a piece of round steel or wood the same diameter of the input shaft or slightly smaller. Push the piece of steel or wood inside the old bearing as far as you can and then take a hammer and give it a couple good raps. The force of the grease as it tries to compress will push the old bearing or bushing out. I have used this method several times and always worked.


[Modified by Binnie77, 11:58 AM 1/24/2002]


[Modified by Binnie77, 12:43 PM 1/24/2002]

clem zahrobsky

just thread a 5/8" tap in the hole in the bushing and when the tap bottoms out in the crank just keep turning and it will push the bushing out. :chevy

LemansBlue68

The grease trick works great!!!! I was a skeptic too until my friend showed me. None of the parts places in my area had a puller to rent. I just got a wooden dowel rod that was slightly oversize from the bushing hole, sanded it down so it was just a slight slip fit (which didn't take much) and used the grease. The bushing popped right out :smash:

Binnie77

And it works equally well on solid bushings or roller cages.

gearheadz

Grease trick has always worked for me too!

Mark

vettfixr

Hey thanks, that's the grease trick I mentioned. If I can't find a puller it's nice to know I have a backup plan.

73Ken73

The grease trick is easy. You can use the alignment tool to push in the grease.

American Boy

In last resort, you can take a punch with sharp end and cut in pieces the bushing. It's soft material so it took me about a minute or so.

Stephan

john73bb

Seems like I just stuck my little finger in and pulled mine out. I don't remember it being that hard. Although, mine only had about 5K miles on it, so maybe that is why it came out easily.

I just put a bronze one back in, didn't worry about the roller one. If your tranny is alligned properly I don't think the roller is that much value. The GM people thought so anyway.

redvetracr

I`m with "Clem" on this one, 5/8 tap. .....redvetracr

hiyosilver

Grease trick works.

bn7035

I never used anything but the grease method.

PatsLs1vette

yep grease trick works for me too all i ever used.