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Can anyone provide a way to remove the pilot bushing from the rear of the crank without buying a special tool. I have heard of the trick of filling the cavity with grease and then driving a bolt(or whatever) into the bushing hole thus forcing the bearing out. There must be a better way. Thanks.
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Re: Clutch pilot bushing removal
Funny you should ask. I just finished pulling mine out last night at about 12:30. I had a roller pilot bearing that was stuck because someone had centerpunched around the edge to retain it in there for good. I used a dremel to chamfer the edge of the crank and remove parts of the bumps. I then tried to "hydraulic" it out without success. (I have Hydraulic'd them successfully before) I only managed to really booger up the roller bearings. Auto-Zone rents tools basically for free if returned undamaged. I used a slide hammer with pilot bushing puller attachment. Of course, the fingers were too large to get both of them inside for a good grip. I used a larger finger from one of my gear pullers. After pounding away for 2 hours, I broke out the Dremel tool with a Cut-off wheel and cut slices into the bushing. I think this relieved some stresses because the slide hammer puller finally started moving it. A few more slices and a lot of pounding and it came out in chunks. Luckily I did not cut into the crank with the cut-off wheel despite laying on my back with barely enough room to get my big butt under the car. I'm with you, there has got to be a better way. Good Luck -
Re: Clutch pilot bushing removal
Funny you should ask. I just finished pulling mine out last night at about 12:30. I had a roller pilot bearing that was stuck because someone had centerpunched around the edge to retain it in there for good. I used a dremel to chamfer the edge of the crank and remove parts of the bumps. I then tried to "hydraulic" it out without success. (I have Hydraulic'd them successfully before) I only managed to really booger up the roller bearings. Auto-Zone rents tools basically for free if returned undamaged. I used a slide hammer with pilot bushing puller attachment. Of course, the fingers were too large to get both of them inside for a good grip. I used a larger finger from one of my gear pullers. After pounding away for 2 hours, I broke out the Dremel tool with a Cut-off wheel and cut slices into the bushing. I think this relieved some stresses because the slide hammer puller finally started moving it. A few more slices and a lot of pounding and it came out in chunks. Luckily I did not cut into the crank with the cut-off wheel despite laying on my back with barely enough room to get my big butt under the car. I'm with you, there has got to be a better way. Good LuckComment
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Re: Clutch pilot bushing removal
I was going to try to "hydraulic" one out helping my friend, Dennis Moore, a few months ago. The machine shop had installed a bushing too small for the tip of the transmission. We fought the transmission for a few hours and couldn't figure why it wouldn't slide in. . Dennis finally got out the Dremel and placed cuts at the 12:00, 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00 o'clock positions, being careful not to score the crank. The bronze cuts fairly easily. The pilot bushing came out without problems after it was cut. Chuck Gongloff1963 Corvette Conv. 327/360 NCRS Top Flight
2006 Corvette Conv. Velocity Yellow NCRS Top Flight
1956 Chevy Sedan. 350/4 Speed Hot RodComment
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Re: Clutch pilot bushing removal
I was going to try to "hydraulic" one out helping my friend, Dennis Moore, a few months ago. The machine shop had installed a bushing too small for the tip of the transmission. We fought the transmission for a few hours and couldn't figure why it wouldn't slide in. . Dennis finally got out the Dremel and placed cuts at the 12:00, 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00 o'clock positions, being careful not to score the crank. The bronze cuts fairly easily. The pilot bushing came out without problems after it was cut. Chuck Gongloff1963 Corvette Conv. 327/360 NCRS Top Flight
2006 Corvette Conv. Velocity Yellow NCRS Top Flight
1956 Chevy Sedan. 350/4 Speed Hot RodComment
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Re: Clutch pilot bushing removal
John I tried the hydraulic method of trying to remove the pilot bushing, it didn't work either, but John Broman on the CRPL website told me how to remove the bushing. Get the correct size tap and thread the bushing, then thread a grade 8 bolt into the bushing, use wrench or pliers and pull the bushing out. Took me about 5 minutes. I wish I could be more specific about the tap and bolt size but it was about 6 months ago when I removed the bushing. Hope this helps. Regards FloydComment
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Re: Clutch pilot bushing removal
John I tried the hydraulic method of trying to remove the pilot bushing, it didn't work either, but John Broman on the CRPL website told me how to remove the bushing. Get the correct size tap and thread the bushing, then thread a grade 8 bolt into the bushing, use wrench or pliers and pull the bushing out. Took me about 5 minutes. I wish I could be more specific about the tap and bolt size but it was about 6 months ago when I removed the bushing. Hope this helps. Regards FloydComment
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Re: Clutch pilot bushing removal
John-The method you describe has worked for me but the pilot must be fitted fairly close in diameter to the bushing and you need to keep adding grease as you hit the pin into the bushing.You may be able to use a slide hammer with a threaded bolt also.As an aside i have had good luck with the GM roller throwout bearing which was designed for the diesel pickup engines.I think it's a worthwhile upgrade.Your GM dealer can get the part number.Regards,Lou LaphamComment
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Re: Clutch pilot bushing removal
John-The method you describe has worked for me but the pilot must be fitted fairly close in diameter to the bushing and you need to keep adding grease as you hit the pin into the bushing.You may be able to use a slide hammer with a threaded bolt also.As an aside i have had good luck with the GM roller throwout bearing which was designed for the diesel pickup engines.I think it's a worthwhile upgrade.Your GM dealer can get the part number.Regards,Lou LaphamComment
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Re: Clutch pilot bushing removal
Don't know how I would do the roller bearing version, but I have taken out dozens with a tap (5/8-NC, I think) by simply running the tap thru the bushing and continuing to turn the tap after it bottoms til the bushing is out. A pointed end tap works best as it turns easier after bottoming. LarryComment
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Re: Clutch pilot bushing removal
Don't know how I would do the roller bearing version, but I have taken out dozens with a tap (5/8-NC, I think) by simply running the tap thru the bushing and continuing to turn the tap after it bottoms til the bushing is out. A pointed end tap works best as it turns easier after bottoming. LarryComment
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Re: Clutch pilot bushing removal-Careful with taps
Larry-The tap idea is a good one to a point but i would only tap the bushing until it is threaded enough to replace the tap with a pointed bolt.Taps are very brittle and if you break it off inside the bushing you'll be in a world of problems like removing the crank and having the tap eloxed out!The roller style will require a thin expanding puller that pulls on the rear if possible.Good luck,LouComment
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Re: Clutch pilot bushing removal-Careful with taps
Larry-The tap idea is a good one to a point but i would only tap the bushing until it is threaded enough to replace the tap with a pointed bolt.Taps are very brittle and if you break it off inside the bushing you'll be in a world of problems like removing the crank and having the tap eloxed out!The roller style will require a thin expanding puller that pulls on the rear if possible.Good luck,LouComment
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Re: Clutch pilot bushing removal-Careful with taps
Lou Good point! All the ones I've ever done were easy enough that I could hardly tell when the bushing started to move. If you had a real tight one and broke a tap, the job could turn into REAL fun. A bolt would be safer.
LarryComment
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Re: Clutch pilot bushing removal-Careful with taps
Lou Good point! All the ones I've ever done were easy enough that I could hardly tell when the bushing started to move. If you had a real tight one and broke a tap, the job could turn into REAL fun. A bolt would be safer.
LarryComment
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