did a search and couldn't find anything. How do I remove the stock pilot bushing without having a special tool. Also a new pilot bearing came with my spec clutch, should I grease that up more than it already is befor installing. If I need to grease it can I just use wheel bearing grease.
thanks
Josh

 

A lot of guys use what is called the "TP method". This is where you pack in wet toilet paper behind the bushing and hammer a socket slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the bushing down into the tp. If you do it correctly, the tp will push out the bushing as you hammer down on the socket. Just keep packing wet tp in there and hammering till it falls out. You MUST use tp though.. I had some paper towels handly so I gave that a shot the first time and it didnt work. You could also use grease the same way... just pack some in there and it will push out the bushing as pressure is applied to it.

 

Mine was a pain in the ****, i tried the tp method and it didn't work, so i got out the cold chissle and cracked the bushing down one side and got it out. Probably not the best way of doing it but it worked and the car is still runin, just my $.02.

 

I got a loaner tool from the parts store that was a POS. Wouldn't work. The main bolt of my balancer puller was just a fraction bigger than the inside of the bushing so I ran it in there and when it reached the crank, it walked the bushing right out. Very slick.

 

Packing the cavity with grease is the fastest way, but it's messier. I've done the TP method several times and it is easy and clean. I used an 11 (12?) mm, 1/4 drive socket with a 1/4 drive extension inserted backwards into it. This gives a relatively closed surface on the end with the right diameter, and something to hammer on the other. Pack the cavity with sopping toilet paper. Place the socket/extension in the hole and hammer a few times. Repack with more sopping wet TP. Hammer again. It will take eight or ten iterations, but eventually the bushing will start to come out. When it does come out, you'll have a wad of compressed, damp toilet paper in the cavity. Dig it out, and the cavity will be perfectly clean.

Using grease, all you have to do is make sure the cavity is packed and you can give tool a few good hits and it should push the bushing out pretty quickly. You'll need to clean up more afterward though.

 

thanks for all the input guys, one more thing, is it ok to pack the bearing with more wheel bearing grease to lessen the chance of bearing failure.

 

it would prolly be ok, but it is a bearing instead of the stock bushing so it is prolly pre lubed.

 

One more Quest. when I put the new bearing in does the flush end of the bearing push in first or the beveled side.
thanks

 

Beveled side should face mainshaft of tranny

 

Take an approperate size standard thread tap and tap threads through and bottom it in the crank.Keep turning and it will jack it out like a bolt.

 

I would trash the bearing and get a new bushing. They're cheap anyway. Several people have had the bearing grenade on them, myself included.

 

i had a teribbel time with mine last time no luck with tp i broke three slide hammer fittings. i got a oem rental from auto zone and a chisel and finally got it out.

 

Another vote for TP.

 

I'm having a hard time putting the new bushing. I used the TP method ( which works great! ) to get the old one out, which was cracking, but when I went to put the new one it, it was going in straight then tilted at an angle, and now it won't budge. I can't get it out using the tp method, and I don't want to hammer it in. Can I use a vice grip to squeeze it and pull it out? Or what else? Thanks guys!