Some background: My clutch was slipping so I ordered a new one. It arrived at my house and I took off my exhaust, drivetrain and trans. I took the bad pressure plate and disc off and then went to take out my pilot bearing. I rented a slide hammer with the tip to remove it. I got the cage of the bearing out and had to call it a night. Right now I am using my dremmel to remove the bearing. I cannot get all off it out. Does ANYONE have any experience with this sort of problem. I really need to get this done a.s.a.p. so any tips are welcome. Please no BS or whoring (sp?)

...stupid pilot bearing...

Thanks,
Chris

 

yeah man i had the same exact problem, the pilot bearings guts came out but the outer ring was still stuck in there. We ended up drilling a section out of it and hitting it with a chisel and ****...BIG pain in the *** but thats what worked for me.

 

you all need to use the proper tool from the mazda dealer.

Mazda factory pilot bearing puller.
It comes with 3 prongs instead of 2 like the universal ones.If you are using the 2 prong puller then make sure you tighten it and spread the prongs and pull straight. If you pull at even a small angle it will slip out.

Borrow one or buy it at the mazda dealer or mazdatrix site.

 

^that would have helped a few hours ago. I used the dremmel and got it all out. I just left the trans unbolted under the car overnight cause it was getting late. I can guarantee that I will be in the market for the 3-prong puller very soon though. Thanks Junpower.

 

oh so you did get the bearing out you didn't have time to get the stuff back together well that sucks at least you got it out also tommrow if need help call me up

 

ahhh. I need to start over tommarrow! something was wrong. Hoping to get it running and up to spec tommarrow.

 

Junk It!!!!!!!............................



see ya Friday!!

 

Ya,I found that If the Bearing puller Doesn't work,the best thing is the Good Ol' Dremel Tool..I cut the Edge of the Pilot Bearing,Took the needle bearings and cage out,then I used a Stone on the Dremel.I Thinned the Bearing's outer cage out,Until it was Paper thein on one side,and then the Other.Then Take a Pick(or Something Sharp),and the Bearing's outer casing will collapse.Then Since it is now Smaller,I took a Pair of Needle nose,Gave it a Twist and POP!..the bearing came out.I have done My share of Pilot bearings,and I "have found" that the LOAN-A-TOOL Bearing Pullers are usually so Beat up or Misused That they Either Won't work,Or just do More harm than good..I figured that My Dremel Tool has more than Paid for itself.

 

Yep, cut slots 180* apart in the race and split it. Be careful to not groove the e-shaft, the new bering won't last as a long as it should.

 

Thanks for that. I am glad I am not the only person to do this. I took it apart and I am going to get another pilot bearing tommarrow if that doesnt fit then I will whip out the dremel again. Until then I am going to admire my sevens in my driveway and street.

 

RX7 Pilot bearing removal
If you carefully drag the dremmel stone fore and aft making a trench you will notice as it gets very thin it will turn blue from the heat. A small screwdriver can then lift the edge and a pair of needle nose pliers can spiral it out without any damage.
The real trick to removing the whole pilot bearing is to fill the cavity with grease and hit an aluminum drift ( the same size as the transmission shaft end) sharply. It will hydraulic it out.
Barry