Sbertolone

iTrader: (5)

So I'm trying to put my trans back in, but my pilot bear is stuck in the crankshaft. The problem is the rollers in the bear were destroyed and I almost no lip left to pull the bearing out with. I already broke 1 pilot bearing puller, and my other one really doesnt fit inside. My first one was basically shearing what was left and sliding out.

My question is, is it safe to hydraulic the bearing out with grease and a dowel rod? I've heard that I cant do that on ls1's because the crankshaft has a seal or plug or something on the inside that cant take the pressure.

massls1guy

iTrader: (9)

No, can't do the hydraulic method on the LS1. In fact after you get the pilot bearing out you should inspect the plug behind it and replace it if you banged it up at all.

I had trouble with my pilot bearing too, blind hole puller with the slide hammer didn't budge it at all. I carefully ground away at it with my dremel to weaken it. Then I used a small chisel to crack it. Then I used the blind puller to get it out.

Here is a picture of a nice puller that I found at GMHTP, not sure where to get one though:

massls1guy

iTrader: (9)

Here's what the bearing looked like:

speed_demon24

iTrader: (6)

I couldn't get mine out either yesterday, so today I took a die grinder and ground it down close to the crank, then chiseled it about halfway back and it pulled right out.

Sbertolone

iTrader: (5)

ok, ya that was my next step, i already started grinding on it, and i think its small enough at this point to crack it. but ya, i was slamming a slide hammer and it boke my puller so i have to go find a new one in the morning if anywhere is open.

HavATampa

iTrader: (49)

Curious, what type of pilot bearing are you going back with?

bb5401000

iTrader: (2)

Autozone has a nice puller that worked great for me.

Sbertolone

iTrader: (5)

haha, ya my local parts store didnt have a puller or slide hammer, but autozone had a puller with slide, the autozone slide fit my puller, but the autozone puller didnt fit in my pilot bearing once i broke my puller.

i have timken bearing going in.

HavATampa

iTrader: (49)

That's a roller bearing from Timken? Wonder if it's better than the GM one or the same thing?

fspeedster

iTrader: (6)

I broke 3 loaner tools trying to get it off, i then checked the pilot bearing that I bought and noticed that the front opening is slightly smaller than the rear. This wouldn't allow the jaws of the tool to fully open, they would actually bend or brake. I then took my dremmel and grounded out the front hole, I made it a little bigger than the rear. Fu@^% came out on the first try. It took me hours to realize this.

Sbertolone

iTrader: (5)

ya, its a roller.