Dlbgirl

iTrader: (1)

This will be my 5th night trying to remove a pilot bearing casing from an engine I am about to install. The bearings were taken out leaving the casing before I got the motor, and I had no idea that this would be such a problem when I aquired the engine. I have tried a pilot bearing puller, drilling it out, and now using a jigsaw. I now hope that a pilot bearing is not too important so I can just put this motor back in. I am getting VERy discouraged and this is the 5th night I hoped to get the RX-7 up.

Project84

you can leave it like it is if you have an automatic tranny. Just take the pilot bearing retainer out and leave the bearing in.

If you have a manual tranny, you need to get it out and put a good one in. Pilot bearing puller should work if you use it right.

J-Rat

iTrader: (2)

Dude! That shouldnt be that difficult to remove! Are you sure its not already out, and your drilling on the end of the E-shaft?

Dlbgirl

iTrader: (1)

It is a 5 speed. I bought some more jigsaw blades and I guess I will go back to work on it. I was hoping I could get by without it. I have tried and tried again to get the casing out with the pilot bearing puller, but all that did was wear down the 2 gripping teeth on the puller. It isn't a complete bearing, only the outer casing. I tried to just put another bearing in and hope it would go back together, but upon bolting up the tranny I realized that the starter would not engage the flywheel due to the quarter inch the the pilot bearing hung out (since the casing is held up in there also).

MtnRacer

A generic pilot bearing puller WILL work, I know because we just pulled my pilot bearing last weekend with one. It's possible you may need a "deeper" head for it, but it should work. A jig saw is NOT a good idea... A die grinder on the other hand, is a great idea. Just be careful and don't get too frustrated. If the seal is out, the bearing puller should be able to dig a little deeper, I would really try to find a longer head attachment for it if you can. Or there are various tricks involving wax, and dowels and what not, you can search for those here on the forum. Good luck!

Steve

Wankel7

I have heard....but never tried this. Fill the caviety with grease. Then get a rod just small enough to go in that hole. Then take a mallet and smash the end of the rod.

The force of the grease trying to be compressed might move that bearing out.

James

J-Rat

iTrader: (2)

Or make a big mess....

cmanasseri

I just changed out my clutch last month and had the same problem getting the pilot bearing out. At first the insides came out leaving just the casing making the removal tool totally useless (nothing to grab on to). I ended up getting a small chisel and grinding it down to leave a tip about 1/4 inch wide and cutting it out that way. What ever method you use be sure not to leave any metal filings behind - it will mess up the new bearing.

Chuck

Dlbgirl

iTrader: (1)

Thanks all... I will have to replace it. I like your idea Chuck. I will buy a chisel tomorrow and go that route. I also put liquid wrench in there and knocked the casing a little deeper, but the puller I have is wearing down on the edges, not getting any grip, so I will rent another from another store. I hope the combo of another puller and the chisel work. Tomorrow will be the 6th night that I have been held up by this $10 part.
(I love this site with it's fast responses and helpful insight!!! Thanks all!)

Project84

They make carbide bits for dremel tools. You can cut that sucker out since all thats left is the casing. Make 2 cuts, 180 degrees away from each other and it will look like this: ( ) Then pull the two halves out. Don't cut through the casing and into the crankshaft.

jenkin

iTrader: (2)

Oh man, I just fired up the cutting torch and cut the race out after I had messed up the bearing tryng to remove it the right way. left a little bit of roughness, but the new bearing slid in with the use of a rubber hammer.
I would tell you that it worked great except that I cant get the engine started (no spark) so it remains to be seen how bad an idea that was....

jenkin

iTrader: (2)

oops, let me restate that I torched the casing out (the race and loose bearings came out via mechanical means). BTB- the engine was on a stand.... not in the car where loose flames can cause big problems.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Know we've been over this many times. Most of the time the "tool" will remove the inner race and bearings, and leave the outer race. If enough pressue is placed on the jaws, they will stay in place and not jump over the outer race. Sometimes you need to really crank them down to get it out.

Dlbgirl

iTrader: (1)

I finally got the casing out. After buying 2 different power drills, a jigsaw, renting 2 different pilot bearing pullers and a slide hammer, buying about $40 in bits, screwdrivers, and misc. parts, along with ruining another $40 or so in tools I already had, I got the bastard out. For the next person who has this problem, this is what it took me... A power drill with 2 different metal grinding drill bits and a metal piercing hole punch. All the screwdrivers I ruined and the chisel weren't nearly as effective as I had hoped. The moral here is to not give up and that it will come out. All and all, I spent $235 for the $50 in parts that actually solved my problem. Thanks to all for their advice...