The pilot bearing is a support for the forward end of the transmission input shaft in your vehicle. After a certain amount of miles driven or following service on the automobile, the pilot bearing can become noisy, either due to wear or damage, and can prevent the transmission from operating properly. Since this bearing lives and works buried between the engine and transmission, it is hard to gain access to. However, once it becomes accessible, you can pull it out using a trick and a few simple tools for replacement.
Instructions
- 1
Make sure the engine is properly secured on an engine stand, on a workbench or inside the engine compartment, if you are working with the engine still installed in the vehicle and you have removed the transmission and flywheel.
2Look for the pilot bearing at the rear of the engine block. The pilot bearing is located at the end of the crankshaft, inside the crankshaft flange where the flywheel mounts on. The flywheel is the large, metal wheel with an outside ring gear that meshes with the pinion gear on the starter motor when you are firing up your engine. You should be able to put your fingers inside the round cavity of the bearing and rotate the bearing with your fingers.
3Clean the inside cavity of the pilot bearing with a shop rag.
4Measure the inside diameter of the pilot bearing with a vernier caliper. Use this measurement to find a metal pilot bearing or bearing shaft driver with an outside diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the pilot bearing and with a length of about 5 inches or more.
5Fill the inside cavity of the pilot bearing completely with heavy automotive grease.
6Position one end of the metal pilot shaft or bearing shaft driver over the inside cavity of the pilot bearing so that it covers the area filled with heavy grease.
7Hit the other end of the metal pilot shaft or bearing shaft driver with a rubber mallet or hammer once or twice. This will squeeze the heavy grease under the pilot bearing and push it out of its housing.
8Remove the metal pilot shaft or bearing shaft driver and the pilot bearing.
