how do you get that thing out of there. I spent 2 hours last night trying to remove it. Is there any way to get it out with out having to borrow that thing from mazda trix?

 

Ridge Tech posting on Xentrix's computer:

any ideas? I only have two days to put my enigne before I have to go back to school!!!!!!

 

You should be able to rent a pilot bearing removal tool from your local parts store.

 

Fill the bearing 2/3 full with grease, insert the alignment tool, wrap a rag around the base of the tool, hit it a strong shot with a mallet.
The hydraulic force of the grease will move it outward.

 

i didnt have the pilot bearing removal tool.
i ended up cutting mine out w/ a torch
i DO NOT RECOMMEND this approach. im lucky i didnt mess anything up

 

I just did the clutch in my '87 TII. I found that the pullers from the parts stores were too big to fit my pilot. I ended up using a puller that only pulled out the inner part of the bearing and then using a bigger puller to get the race out. It would be easier to borrow the factory tool if you have the time.

Todd

 

well i've tried to remove it and got all the guts out, but the case is still in there. So you think I should use the larger puller to remove it.

Which autoparts stores offer free tool rental

 

Get the proper bearing puller its the only way to go. I would never try it with out it. I rented mine from Rotary Performance.

 

I heard that if you rent a puller from a auto-parts store and file the edges of the puller down a little bit it'll work just dandy. The auto-parts store won't even know about your little "adjustment".

 

After the "guts" are removed there is a little lip right inside the pilot that you can grab with the larger puller. Mine popped right out. I used the puller that I rented at Autozone for free. One comment here: You should NOT modify a tool that does not belong to you. Afterall you may need to use a tool in the future that someone else has "modified" incorrectly making it useless!

Todd

 

Funny this topic came up, as I just removed my pilot bearing last night... WHAT A BITCH! Instead of paying big bucks to buy the real tool, I went to an automotive tool shop and bought a "universal" puller. Let me tell you this was a total BITCH. Took me and my roomate tugging on it, the better part of 3 hours! The main difference in the Mazda puller, is that it has teeth small enough to fit snuggly behind the "lip" of the bearing. It extends to the length of the eccentriv shaft, and you just bash it out.

If you have to get this out soon, get a universal puller. But if you don't want a huge headache, go with the mazda tool.... SOOOOOOO much easier!

 

the universal puller i got from autozone worked just fine, look less than 5 minutes

 

could you post a part number or namebrand? Some sort of info so we can ask for it in the future. I've got a new clutch but I'm still waiting for my old one to give out; this son of a bitch is taking some abuse.

 

I removed mine by VERY carefully using my dremel and ground a groove through the length of the case. Not quite all the way through but close enough that when I hit it with a small cold chiesel it broke and I could get underneath it to bend it in and pull it out with a pair of pliers. If you nick the flywheel a little don't worry a whole lot cause the rest of the flywheel will support it fine. Hope this helps and no renting anything.

 

This is what I used, and it worked pretty good.
and you can't beat the price! plus it keeps underage kids in China working!
3-JAW PILOT BEARING PULLER - $14.99

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=4876

 

If I were doing it again i'd get the harborfreight tool. I almost got it when I did my clutch and wished I had. As for a part number for autozone....it comes up on their computers but it does NOT work unless you have pulled out the inner part of the bearing with something else.

Todd

 

Shade tree mechanic way, dig the guts out with a screw driver. Then. place a real small flat head screw driver at the edge of the bearing where it meets the flywheel housing. Couple raps of a hammer and the screw driver will slide under the bearing housing and collapse it inward. Then you can simply grap it with a pair of needle nose pliars.

Right way, rent the puller. I got one from Kragen (Shucks in the Northwest, Checkers most everyplace else). U shaped affair with a double arm that slide in behind the bearing. Slide out smooth as silk.