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So I'm doing some work for a guys Camaro. 99 z28 M6. Im swapping in an ls7 clutch, tick master and a ram slave. I got the trans and all out but im having extreme trouble with this pilot bearing. The trans input shaft has soo much play it destroyed the pilot bearing and now I cant get it out to replace it. It seems like it just got soo hot that it welded itself to the crankshaft. I tried using the pilot removal tool and broke one of the fingers. I tried another and still no luck. It grabs behind the pilot but when I use the pulley to pull it out, it slowly just grinds off the metal and doesn't budge the bearing at all. I feel like my only option left is to try using a die grinder, but I don't want to risk messing up the crank. Does anyone have any suggestions? anyone deal with this before?
Mine was pretty similar. Also broke a finger off the puller. Used a carbide bit and cut into it and used a chisel and once I broke that tension it came out. Now when I was cutting into it I did get into the crank a small amount. I deemed it ok and drove the new bearing in and been like that for years and a bunch of track passes.
Mine was pretty similar. Also broke a finger off the puller. Used a carbide bit and cut into it and used a chisel and once I broke that tension it came out. Now when I was cutting into it I did get into the crank a small amount. I deemed it ok and drove the new bearing in and been like that for years and a bunch of track passes.
Ah man that's good to hear. Thanks for the info man ill try it out. I was just real worried about screwing up the crank and having to pull the motor. Ill try it out today and keep you posted how it turns out man.
I found this blind hole puller from AutoZone loan a tool worked very well....although my pilot bearings have not been like OP's
the cut/chisel method may be needed but if the tool is available near you, worth a shot
Thanks man. yea Oriellys has something similar to that one, but I used a puller style because I don't want to damage the thrust bearing using the slide hammer.
Ah man that's good to hear. Thanks for the info man ill try it out. I was just real worried about screwing up the crank and having to pull the motor. Ill try it out today and keep you posted how it turns out man.
Just take your time and hit it with a hammer and chisel where you are cutting into it and usually you can crack them and they will come out. May take several times hitting and cutting etc.
Same here I had to chisel mine out too. Seems common for the needle pilot bearings. I went with the pilot bushing when I replaced mine so I could use the blind hole puller next time.
I too had the same issue when going from LS7 clutch to my new spec one. My fix was the same fix as others have posted.... Drill - Grinder - air hammer - chisel
Awesome thanks fellas! it ended up coming out fairly easy after I grinded off one side then I used a chisel. No damage to the crank.
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08-12-2015, 11:14 AM
Pilot Bearing Welded to crank? 
