Pilot bearing will not come out

Tiny
SHANIAB
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 FORD RANGER
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 200,000 MILES
Hi, I am replacing the clutch the and I have been trying to get the old pilot bearing out for a few hours now and so far nothing is working. It' is almost gone and has barely any lip left on it. I have tried the grease trick, bread trick, letting it soak in PB blaster, torching it, chiseling it, and the tool actually made to get the bearing out and nothing is working. Any idea on what I should do?
Monday, May 1st, 2017 AT 3:11 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
Let me know if this makes no sense at all.

Two nuts

1/4 or 5/16 or 3/8 OR whatever!

Use the largest size that will work. As you need some strength lips to do this.

Stick the nuts in the hole (one at a time)

Scoot the one under the lip, so the other will go in.

Now, scoot them towards the center touching each other.

If you have the 'right size', you will be able to screw a bolt into each nut, it may take some tilting.

Now you have two bolts standing up, opposite of each other, they are anchored inside the hole, in which you may be able tie together (one pulling point) to pry upward/ hook a slide hammer to/modify a puller to grab them.

As long as the nuts are well under the lip, and you pull the bolts evenly, you should get good results

Below is a picture I put together to show someone how to remove a race. This was a "quick assembly". You probably need the same length bolts, more chain. Heavier slide. You will have to brain it to suit, if you try this.

Personally, I would try a helper and a couple of short pry/crow bars and fulcrums if needed on the bolt heads first.

Let us know what happens.

The Medic
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Monday, May 1st, 2017 AT 6:19 PM
Tiny
SHANIAB
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Thank you for your advise, may have to try sometime in the future. I did end up getting it out last night with an air hammer and chiseling a whole lot, lol.
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Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017 AT 9:01 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
Wonderful!

The grease thing usually works best for me, as long as I find some sort of "driver" that is really an almost a snug fit going in the hole.

Come back to see us!

You are already a member, just remember that username and password!

(Next time bring your 1976-1979 Jeep CJ, They are sort of my favorites.)

The Medic
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Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017 AT 3:36 PM

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