Super easy pilot bearing/bushing removal.

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Gunnibronco
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Super easy pilot bearing/bushing removal.

Post by Gunnibronco »

This is too cool not to share. I just used the "bread" method of removing the pilot bushing in my Bronco. Since I'm gluten free, and don't have bread around the house, I adjusted the recipe and replaced bread with wet crumpled up pieces of paper.

First take a 3/8" extension, and add electrical tape, until it fits snugly inside the pilot bushing. The first wrap of tape should be sticky side out, so the tape plug can slide up and down on the extension.

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Then fill the space behind the pilot bushing with wet pieces of paper (or the soft white part of bread - no crusts).

P1010229.JPG


Then fit the extension & plug into the bearing and whack it with a BFH. I had to keep adding paper, as it was compressed, but it slowly started working the bushing out.

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You can use grease in place of bread/paper, but I can imagine the extra mess, especially if your e-tape plug doesn't fit just right.
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"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." ΓÇô Claire Wolfe
74-AWB 98", ZF5, Atlas4, HP609s, ARBs, 37's, 3.5" lift-5.5" front coil springs, Tahoe rear springs, EFI 302, h-boost, 4x4x2 hyrdo assist, custom dash & gauges
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Kinder
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Re: Super easy pilot bearing/bushing removal.

Post by Kinder »

Very cool, wish I would have know this about two years ago when I was trying to get one out.
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pilosopher
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Re: Super easy pilot bearing/bushing removal.

Post by pilosopher »

Thats a good idea! Ive done that with grease, but good Lord it was a mess.
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Gunnibronco
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Re: Super easy pilot bearing/bushing removal.

Post by Gunnibronco »

Grease was the first thing I read to use, and I was ready to do it. Glad I kept reading a little longer.
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." ΓÇô Claire Wolfe
74-AWB 98", ZF5, Atlas4, HP609s, ARBs, 37's, 3.5" lift-5.5" front coil springs, Tahoe rear springs, EFI 302, h-boost, 4x4x2 hyrdo assist, custom dash & gauges
72 U15- Explorer Sport-Candyapple Red (1 of 141)
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cracker
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Re: Super easy pilot bearing/bushing removal.

Post by cracker »

Using grease is pretty simple and not that messy. I have used that previously befor efinally spending the money on a good puller.
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Jesus_man
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Re: Super easy pilot bearing/bushing removal.

Post by Jesus_man »

Mine came out really easy with a rented 3-arm puller. I read many methods like that and glad it worked for you Chad. I love these little tricks!
1973 Bronco, 351 SEFI, Locked, discs, 35's ZF-5spd and Atlas 4spd. 235:1 Crawl Ratio. It may be ugly, but it's slow.
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Colorado75bronc
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Re: Super easy pilot bearing/bushing removal.

Post by Colorado75bronc »

Ya I almost always use grease, works fine for me and if your punch is just the right size it's quick with no mess
75' bronco, 302, carb'd for now, i'm gathering parts for efi, 3g alternator, saginaw pump, 4x4x2 box, fw hp44, fw 9", N.P. 435 w/ gearbanger shifter, twin stick'd dana 20, 2" BL, 5.5" wildhorses lift, and 35" km2's
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Booger
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Re: Super easy pilot bearing/bushing removal.

Post by Booger »

Same here with the grease trick. Never thought about bread or wet paper but I can see that all you need is something to occupy the space. Good tip Gunni.
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akaFrankCastle
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Re: Super easy pilot bearing/bushing removal.

Post by akaFrankCastle »

Last I did mine, I used axle grease and a dowel rod. Think I will be using bread/paper next time.
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1972 Sport uncut, 302, C4 with 1974 column , T shift Dana 20, 3.50 gears w/ limited slip, 1966 U13 Roadster kick panel, and factory power steering.

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