I'm replacing the pilot bearing on myS4 T2. When I'm tapping in the pilot bearing, will it bottom out and stop by itself or should I just leave enough room for the seal. I don't remember how much of a gap is at the top of the bearing.

 

Hasn't anybody replaced the pilot bearing? I just don't want to tap it in too far and then destroy it trying to pull it back out.

 

you are correct don't tap it in to deep. If you go to deep then you will play hell trying to get the removal tool to grab the back side of it when you're ready to replace it next time. When I put mine in I always leave enough room for the seal and then just a hair more.

 

Thanks boostedfc3s, thats what I thought but I wasn't sure how much room to leave at the top.

 

The smartest way to install the new one is to (gently) tap it in with the removal tool installed on the new bearing, as if you had just pulled the bearing out. Let the removal tool bottom out on the detent in the shaft, then remove the tool, leaving the bearing behind with exactly the right amount of room for the tool next time you need to remove the bearing.

Neal.

 

That's a damn good idea. I don't know why I didn't think of that. See you learn something new and different every day.

 

Sorry for bumping an old thread, but I just noticed that the PO drove the pilot bearing into my eshaft until it bottomed out. I know it is new because I watched him drive it in (I didn't know much about rotary's). Will there be any issue besides a giant pain in the *** trying to remove it next time since he bottomed it out? Will it still work fine?

Thanks!

 

I've tapped some in until they bottom out. Others not quite that far. There is a ridge inside to prevent it from going too deep. They also still make full contact on the trans input shaft. So in your situation, don't worry about it. But if there is a next time, just don't tap it all the way in.

 

Old skool trick:

If the pilot bearing gets stuck and you can't grab it with one of those removal tools, get a clutch alignment tool and a some grease. Pack the pilot bearing with as much grease as you possibly can. Cram it in there, and don't get any air bubbles in it. Now, shove the clutch alignment tool in and hammer it in. The grease will force the bearing/bushing out by hydraulic force.

 

I'm pretty old skool and that crap didn't work for me.

I'm just sayin'

 

^Ive heard of that method before. Im going to try it on a old e-shaft/pilot bearing i have laying around for ***** and giggles.

 

Last time I used the grease trick I just blew the seals out of the bearing.

 

Sometimes you have to find a socket and extension (or something along those lines) that fits closer to the inside diameter of the pilot bearing for it to work. Otherwise, the grease can just squeeze out between the tool and bearing and won't work.