10/19/2012
Removing Crankshaft Pilot Bearings Revisited (#4)
In April we published a Shop Solution suggesting the use of toilet paper to remove pilot bearings. Here is another alternative. To vote for this in the "Top 5 of the Past 5" Engine Pro Shop Solutions Contest, click on the vote now button and select story #4.
When removing a crankshaft pilot bearing, the easiest way is to use modeling clay or Play-Doh. Pack the clay into the hole first by hand, and then hammer it in with a tight fitting bolt or blunt chisel. It doesn't take much force to make the bearing pop out. There is no mess, and the clay can be used over and over again.
We have been removing pilot bearings this way ever since there were pilot bearings. We all got a laugh out of your April edition where a reader suggested using wet toilet paper rather than grease.
We already have clay around to balance crankshafts, and it just seems like the thing to use.
Wet TP – HA HA HA!
Ray Crowley
Ray’s Precision Engines
Taylor, MI