Picked up a new flywheel and clutch for my Z... got the old one off and got ready to put the new one on, just one more thing to do - get the clutch pilot bearing off the motor. Had a bearing puller widget, have used it on a bunch of other things - won't touch this one though. I can't get it out. I have worked on it, tried a bunch of stuff, and its still in there, stuck firm. Pieces have even started to pop out, I have tugged on it so hard, but f-ing thing will NOT come out.

So what I want to know is - whats the secret? Do I need some special secret GM tool to get this damn thing out? I am so far beyond frustrated right now, I really wanted the car done for this weekend, and instead its still sitting 5ft in the air on the lift.

At this point I am open to all suggestions, up to and including a steak dinner for the person who shows up with a magic lamp, miracel bearing remover fluid, or the super secret GM tool and removes the GD thing so I can finish this. The car is at a buddy's house (he has the chasis lift in his garage) in Berkley.

Anyone?

 

i believe there is a tool! mine was tough to get out as well! i mean really tough!!!!

g'luck!

 

You need a puller tool and a slide hammer to get the bearing out the back of the motor. Comes out really easy that way. I "rented" both from Autozone, but their puller doesn't fit in the bearing. So, I decided to eat the $$$ and a friend grinded the hell out of it so it would work. Then, just attach the slide hammer and it'll be out in 10 seconds. If you want the puller piece we ground down, you can have mine if you come to E.L. to get it. If this is unclear, feel free to IM me (SAJ79) on AIM.

Jeff

 

I bought (and ground down) the Autozone pilot bearing puller too.
It was worth the 20 bucks to get that damn bearing out.

 

Thank you gents, the advice on this site is great... Got me a slightly battered pilot bearing on the desk next to me right now... just wanted to post up a THANKS before I go stuff the new one in!

-Matt

 

Well, since you asked NICELY for "the secret" to getting that pilot bearing out, I'll tell you.

Pack the inside of the pilot bearing with wet toilet paper, stuff as much TP into the ID of that bearing as it can hold, and be sure to thoroughly wet it. Now take a round drill bit, piece of drill rod or socket extension that is a couple of thousandths SMALLER that the ID of the pilot bearing, stick it into the pilot bearing ID, (on top of all that wet toilet paper), and tap it with a hammer. As you hammer in the drill rod, the wet TP with push it's way under the back face of the pilot bearing, and the hydralic pressure exerted by tapping with the hammer, will push the pilot bearing right out of the end of the crankshaft.

You're welcome! And I do like my steak dinners "medium well".

 

I've tried that trick with the wet TP, and also have tried grease before and they have never worked for me.

The ground down Autozone tool does the trick though.

I actually broke one of the tools the first time trying to get it out. Went back, got a second tool from AZ and it finally came out. Returned it and got my money back too.

 

I ran into the same problem with the Autozone pilot busing puller not fitting in the bushing. So I just threaded the slide hammer into the bushing and with two quick hits it was out.