Was wondering if anyone in the Phoenix/Mesa area in AZ has the pilot bearing removal tool that they wouldn't mind loaning out for an afternoon for a couple of bucks.

I've tried the grease trick, getting one from harbor freight and grinding down the forks but to no avail. I'm trying to avoid taking a dremel to it and risk damaging the inside of the shaft, it's a stock motor and a stock setup.

Respond or PM me, or if you have another trick I'm willing to try right now.

Brandon

 

A quality inner bearing puller should do it. Many auto parts stores will loan one with a small deposit.

Truth be told, I have always just used a Dremel. Just grind a grove in the bottom of the bearing all the way through to the shaft, then use a chisel to bend both halves of the bearing away from the walls and it pops out.

 

Do you have a harbor freight? They sell a 'blind hole puller' with slide hammer that works just as well as the factory tool.

 

I've tried many methods but none work as well as the Mazda pilot bearing removal tool. Got frustrated years ago trying different methods and just bought one. One of the best tool investment that I've made over the years. I've used it many times over and its more than paid for itself IMO.

 

You must not have discovered the harbor freight tool.

 

Checked with the local auto parts stores and apparently they stopped loaning blind hole pullers as they aren't even listed anymore. I didn't get the blind hole puller from HF, just the pilot bearing puller, at the end of the day wish I did though. Something just feels wrong about taking a dremel to the inside of a shaft where a bearing race sits. Having said that I was feeling cheap (and fed up) and got it out with the dremel. New one went in very snug, took a few good hits once it was fully in the shaft to seat to the correct depth to put the seal in, rollers spin very freely. At least i'll know what's making the shrieking sound when I finally get the car started for the first time, haha.

If nothing else just makes you feel better when using the proper tool, next time.

 

I paid 60 bucks for mine from harbor freight years ago and I've used it a lot. So quick and easy.

 

I used bread and the right socket to push it out.

 

I haven't but I'm willing to look into it. I have a Harbor Freight about 25 mins away from my house that I take my boys to to get tools to fix their bikes and build stuff. next time I'm there I'll have a look at it.

 

this

 

Exactly Dank. Luckily the pilot bearing bore on the eccentric shaft isn't as massive as the one in the video. Still shows how to do it though. Just keep mashing in bread until it pushes it out.

 

that doesnt work on our cars. Neither does the grease trick. Ask me how I know.

Harbour Freight Tool FTW.

 

Idk what you did that made it not work. I can definitely confirm that it does work. Ask me how I know.

 

+1 from me, mine has worked great for a few different builds.

 

Video or it didnt happen.

 

You got it! I skipped over a lot of the beating. Its far easier to do it in the engine. Definitely leave the crank bold and flywheel nut on though. That way you avoid fudging the eccentric shaft. The hardest part is definitely getting it started. Once it's moving though, it's a lot easier. It's really important to keep feeding bread in every couple of hits. If the socket bottoms out then you're not doing anything.

 

I'm impressed!! What did you pack in there to create the pressure for the bearing to move?

 

Nice. I couldnt get it to work. Maybe i didnt pack enough bread.

Bread.

 

Getting it to initially break free is the hardest part. Once it does though it moves pretty smoothly. Obviously, with the right puller tool it would be easier. This however, is cheaper hahaha.

 

I don't know. Very creative, though.

I like to plan ahead nowadays, buy the tool along other stuff while I'm at the store, then when it's time to use it, I have it, there, done and quick.

 

I'm sure the bread works great. I've used modeling clay before when I worked in a machine shop to remove press fit bushings from blind holes. I bet it's a little harder than bread to clean up though. Grease works real good too but, you have to put a small loose wad of paper towel on top of the grease. It acts like a gasket and helps keep the grease from squirting by the socket/dowel pin/bolt/whatever. If you bottom out just add more grease and paper towel.

 

Since this thread has a bunch of anecdotes:

I ground down a Harbor Freight 3-jaw puller and it still did not work. Bought a Mazdatrix tool and it was lovely. Did not try toilet paper or whatever.

The tool is cheaper than professional work, at least.

 

I started off with a puller..then next job the puller didn't work..
ground down the puller..worked.
Couldn't get a puller..hmmm..Got out the Dremel.
I've been using a dremel ever since.I bought that thing and I swear it's paid for itself over and over again!

 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F272776110553

Found the exact harbor freight tool I bought years ago on ebay for half of what I paid.

It seems they have an updated one on their site.. can't gaurantee the collettes are the same tho.

95987 I believe is the part number I'd purchased..I can check when I get home. Earlier this year when I was at a harbor freight store, they still had the model I've got on their shelf.

 

As others have said, the HF slide hammer puller works. Never failed me yanking pilot bearings, even in one case where the PB was trashed and practically fused to the e-shaft. This is the one you need: https://www.harborfreight.com/slide-...-pc-62601.html

As for the tool's durability, the one collet that fits the FC pilot bearing is showing wear on the jaws, but it still works fine.