rx7sportscar

OK, I plan on replacing my pilot bearing this weekend (I forgot to do it when I rebuilt my tranny). I've done a search on this board and learned a lot. However, I was wondering if someone can explain the issues with using a puller that you can rent from the autoparts store. I've read where these things work great, OR that they only pull out the inner race and cage, leaving you with the task of grinding out the outer race. I guess there are different styles of these pullers.

What should I look for in the proper tool? What goes wrong with these tools that make them fail, and what should I do to prevent it frpm screwing up? I want to learn as much as possible so that this turns out to be only a 'five' minute job.

Thanks,

Mark

86 Sport Restoration Project

turboIImadman

i'm buy no means a pro at this, but what i did is used a puller that i have. It is two wedges with a lip. in between the to wedged pieces is a piece of all thread. you basiclally tighten the all thread on the end oppisite from the wedges after you insert the tool in a good ways. and it pulls out the pilot bearing. I think that people probably have the all thread break. hopefully that helped.

MtnRacer

The problem with most pilot bearing tools is that the "wedges" aren't long enough to get all the way behind the pilot bearing. They tend to catch the insides of the bearing, and end up ripping it apart. Or the little "hooks" on the end of the wedges will get flattened out, making it harder to grab the bearing. Try to get the longest wedges you can find, and use those. We got mine out with shorter wedges, but it came out in pieces.

Steve

RoninAutoBoX

Stupid question: Is the pilot bearing attached to the engine or transmission?

rx7sportscar

Ahhh, I learned something....

So you guys are saying that i just take a normal bearing pulley, and grab the BACK end of the pilot bearing. Hmm, the bearing puller I have has pretty large fingers that I don't think will fit in the space... I assume that there are smaller ones that will?

I assume that if the bearing is pressed too far into the ecentric shaft that you are basically 'shafted' and that the only way to get the bearing out is to

1) use a dremel tool to grind it out, or

2) use a 1/2" dowel and cram something like wax into the bearing, followed by the dowel and striking the dowel with a hammer. The was then forces the bearing out.

Any other options at that point?

Also, I've heard somefolks talk about a slide hammer puller. Does that work the same way (with fingers) and instead of the threaded part, you use the hammer action to create the force the remove the bearing.

Mark

RoninAutoBoX

Another stupid question: What would happen theoretically if you were to install a transmission with NO pilot bearing? I mean none at all, just totally left out? Would the car even be able to run and drive at all?

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

The puller that I, and most sue, is not the normal bearling puller. It is a slide puller that a lot of body shops might use. An adapter is purchased that screws onto the shaft. The jaws are put through the bearing and expanded, then you slide the weight towards and into the stop and the bearing will come out. the outer race is very thin, so most times the inner race and bearings will come out. I just expand the jaws into the eccentric shaft as tight as I can, and the rest of the bearing will come out.

It's "pressed" into the ecentric shaft.

Yes, the car would run. There have been cars maufactired that didn't require a pilot bearing. Normally it was the econoboxes. On the RX7's I would assume it might destroy the trans bearings if it weren't installed.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Excuse the punctuation and spelling. I was in a hurry to leave work!!!!

rx7sportscar

Where do you usually find these pullers? As rentals at the auto parts stores, or other tool rental places?