14 Steps to Remove a Pilot Bearing Bushing

If you hear or feel unusual noise or vibration when you engage your clutch pedal while driving, it’s a sign that you need a replacement pilot bearing.

The gearbox’s input shaft and crankshaft rotate at various speeds when the clutch disengages. This variation can occur because of the pilot bearing.

To remove a pilot bearing, you’ll need the help of a tool called the pilot bearing puller, making the removal process more straightforward.

In this article, you’ll see everything you need to know about removing a pilot-bearing bushing, including some of the symptoms you’ll experience if your pilot-bearing goes bad.

Table of Contents

Signs of a Faulty Pilot Bearing

Below are some signs you should notice if your pilot bearing goes bad.

Noise
Difficulties changing gear
The clutch pedal becomes stiff
Vibration while changing gear

A common sign that will help you identify a bad pilot-bearing bushing is a high rattling or grinding sound produced when you remove your leg from the clutch pedal.

Also, it might be hard to change between gears due to a lousy pilot bearing or the entire clutch kit (the job of the clutch kit is to disengage the gearbox from the engine).

In another context, your clutch pedal might become unnecessarily complex to depress since the status of the pilot-bearing bushing determines how soft or hard the clutch will be.

Lastly, a driver will start to notice a vibration when changing gears, probably due to a worn-out pilot bearing.

All these symptoms occur because the clutch must be depressed before applying gears, and the pivot bearing must align with the transmission’s pressure plate.

How to Remove Pilot Bearing Bushing

The pilot bearing is at the crankshaft, so we’ll use the Pilot Bearing Puller tool to initiate a clean job.

The bearing prevents the input shaft from rotating, allowing smooth, steady changes. Once the problem has been identified, we must remove and replace the pilot bearing. As a result, you must first remove the clutch assembly and the entire transmission from the vehicle.

Once you’ve got a pilot-bearing puller
With the jam ultimately backed off, place the pilot bearing removal tool within the bearing.
Spread the tool hands apart by turning the handle in a clockwise direction.
In this method, the flywheel will support the pulling action as the tool’s body rests on it.
Pull the pilot bearing outward while tightening the jam nut with a wrench.
A “POP” sound indicates that the pilot bearing is beginning to move out of position.
The nut is now more straightforward to squeeze at this point. Do this repeatedly until the bearing has been completely removed.
After removing the bearing, inspect both them and the crankshaft’s end.
Cleanse the end of the crankshaft where the replacement bearing will be placed with a clean cloth.
To make installing the replacement bearing easier, keep it clean.
Compare the new bearing to the old one after obtaining it. Ensure the two are the same size and diameter inside and out.
Put the replacement bearing in the freezer for 30 minutes to cause it to shrink, making it more straightforward to install.
Put it gently at the crankshaft’s end.
Taps on the bearing should be made with a hammer to fit in.

Perform this process gently to avoid causing damage to other car components.

Summary

A faulty pivot bearing is an issue that needs to be fixed immediately to avoid damage to other clutch components.

It might be hard to effect the fixes independently since it’ll need someone with first-hand experience dismantling clutch kits and vehicle transmissions.

Nevertheless, once you notice any of the above symptoms in your car, you should consult a mechanic for repairs as soon as possible.