Pilot Bearing Removal

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In this video, we show you how to remove a pilot bearing from the end of the crankshaft using bread, a bell housing bolt and a hammer. This is a very effective technique to remove a pilot bearing as part of a clutch job.
The hammer used was a regular steel hammer. A better choice would have been a brass hammer so it wouldn't potentially damage the head of one of your bell housing bolts, but we didn't have a brass hammer on hand for this job.
*Suggested Tools*
If you're looking for other tools not used in this video, check out Timmy's Master Tool List.
www.amazon.com...
*Brass Hammer amzn.to/3K8KeAf
*If you have a crankshaft that employs a freeze plug at the end to seal it, you will not want to use the bread technique to remove the pilot bearing. GM LS engines use a freeze plug. Using the bread method could push the freeze plug into the engine and now the whole engine needs to be torn apart to fix it. You would want to use a small puller instead. Harbor Freight sells one for an affordable cost.
www.harborfrei...
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[@TimmyTheToolman]

It has come to my attention that some crankshafts are made with a hole on the end that is filled with a freeze plug. GM LS engines are an example of this. If you use the bread technique for this style of crankshaft, you could push the freeze plug out into the engine and cause yourself a HUGE problem. So, before you use this method, make sure the crankshaft you're removing a pilot bearing from doesn't use a freeze plug. If you have a crankshaft that does use a freeze plug, using a puller is a much safer choice. Harbor Freight sells one for a very affordable price. Check out the link in the video description.

[@weijia8088]

Def one of the coolest tricks I've learned from this channel.

[@TimmyTheToolman]

I think this is one of the cooler tricks we've shown on our channel.

[@H.A..]

😂 The ol' customary bread bearing puller. Nicely done boys. Although my preference is plain white bread I agree that the more expensive Whole Foods bread will work better.

[@TimmyTheToolman]

I've gluten free is even better because that bread is more like cardboard and it compresses better.

[@stco2426]

I can completely vouch for this technique. I removed the old pilot bearing on my Toyota using this technique and it worked. I have pictures to prove but no video. I used and would recommend a mixture of bread and grease (butter might also work). It seems to be more pliable. It's important to have the best sized bolt (I used a drift) as possilbe. It's April Fools but it works. Cool!!

[@TimmyTheToolman]

Yeah, several people commented wetting the bread helps. Some people say straight grease is better. Who knows, maybe it is. I think I'll just stick with bread and maybe wet it a bit with water. Thanks for the comment!

[@lt.kettch4652]

Nice. I used wet paper bits on my Tacoma last time.

[@TimmyTheToolman]

Yeah, whatever works. Getter Dun!

[@transformer889]

I have done this with grease instead of bread but whatever works

[@TimmyTheToolman]

Yeah, I guess anything that you can fill the void behind the pilot bearing with would work. With grease, you'd have to make sure the bolt you chose makes a tight fit with the inner race, because I could see grease being able to more easily squeeze past the shank of the bolt than bread. Thanks for sharing!

[@mr.rogers5586]

Yeah my dad taught me to use grease and a 3/8 extension

[@brentatkinschryssilvestre8012]

Also helps to soak the bread in water.

[@TimmyTheToolman]

Yeah, I imagine the moisture would help the bread compact better. But, even dry, it worked pretty damn well. I imagine if it was really dry stale bread, it wouldn't have worked as well. The bread we used was very fresh.

[@brentatkinschryssilvestre8012]

@@TimmyTheToolman thanks for the reply. I really appreciate and enjoy your content . It helps all us Toyota enthusiasts. I hope it is well worth your time investment as a financial return to you and the family.

[@mr.rogers5586]

Use Grease and a 3/8 extension

[@TimmyTheToolman]

Grease is the word, is the word that you heard It's got groove it's got meaning Grease is the time, is the place, is the motion Grease is the way we are feeling

[@johningle6363]

Very cool

[@TimmyTheToolman]

We're glad you think so John. Thanks for commenting!

[@brentatkinschryssilvestre8012]

Funny. I did this yesterday on my '89 JDM Hilux surf. I mixed up some flour and water dough. Works like a charm.

[@brentatkinschryssilvestre8012]

15/32 drill bit fits better. Hit with a dead blow.

[@TimmyTheToolman]

Yeah, I heard of this method years ago. This was my first chance to use it.

[@coburn_karma]

Great TIP.......I think the HF Pittsburgh Hammer doesn't have enough OOMPH, go with a Milwaukee next time.

[@TimmyTheToolman]

We agree, we actually purchased a snap on hammer but we didn’t get it in time because the salesman wouldn’t hand it over until we made 7 easy payments of $859.99. A couple more payments and we will have paid enough to receive the handle. - Sean

[@coburn_karma]

@@TimmyTheToolman Sounds funny but so true.......Snap on guy hated me for paying in cash all the time.

[@TimmyTheToolman]

@@coburn_karma We've been pretty successful so far going the less expensive tool route. Most of our tools are bought on Amazon and some from Harbor Freight. If the tool gets good reviews, we buy it. I've been pleasantly surprised with my Harbor Freight purchases. My 20 ton press has been flawless and so has my trans jack. I just bought a 21 gallon air compressor from them and it works great.

[@toyotatim2521]

I've used grease in the past but this method seems a lot less messy plus you have something for breakfast when you're finished

[@TimmyTheToolman]

Yeah, the bread was an easy clean-up.

[@reinhardtrippmacher8776]

I put all my tax papers in, stoked them wet, headed news paper would work too. I am hamering like nuts and it doesn't move at all. Now I am concerned I have the crank with the freeze plug in the back and screwed it up!

[@TimmyTheToolman]

Uh Oh!

[@efil4kizum]

is that the flywheel or where does flywheel sit on this setUp... was the flywheel removed prior to this filming?

[@TimmyTheToolman]

What you see bolted to the back of the crankshaft is the "Flex Plate". Automatic transmissions have a flex plate. Manual transmissions have a fly wheel.

[@efil4kizum]

@@TimmyTheToolman oh thank you! i thought this was an MT

[@TimmyTheToolman]

@@efil4kizum No problem!

[@jsvallee567]

that trick been around forever my dad show me that trick and he learn that from an old guy when he was young too but .. im just wondering .. the 1st guy that did this what got to his mind to use bread to remove a bearing haha !

[@TimmyTheToolman]

Yeah, I know. The guy was sitting there eating a sandwich and thought, "I wonder if I stuff enough bread behind that bearing and then apply pressure with a bolt or something else, will it push the bearing out?"

[@jsvallee567]

@@TimmyTheToolman hahaha

[@BlueBirbs88]

Timmy, your’re supposed to be the tool man! You need yourself a little 3lb drilling hammer.

[@TimmyTheToolman]

Wasn't filming at my place. i probably would have used my bigger brass hammer.

[@christophergoodwin6846]

Those are some nice buns! 😅😂

[@TimmyTheToolman]

I slapped them before I bit into them.

[@jimmyconner2444]

You can also buy a pilot bearing puller for $12

[@TimmyTheToolman]

Sure, but it's more fun with the bread.

[@Patrick.Weightman]

I can only imagine who was the first person to figure this out and what their friends were saying 😂😂

[@TimmyTheToolman]

Yeah, I could imagine the smirks on their faces when he said what he was going to try and the amazed look afterwards when it was successful.

[@arinmirzayan3949]

😂

[@TimmyTheToolman]

Glad you found the video entertaining.