Tool for Pilot Bearing on a Spider 2000

[BNelsonAz]

Hi all,

The Fiat manual lists two tools for pulling the pilot bearing (A.40206 & A.40207), along with a slide hammer.

Any thoughts on alternate methods?

Thanks,

Bill

[131]

A piece of wood or dowel that fits snugly in the pilot bearing hole. Through the hole, pack the space behind the bearing with heavy grease. Tap the dowel in with a hammer, the grease has nowhere to go and pushes the bearing out.

[Exit98]

Advance Auto will loan you a pilot bearing puller. As I tightened it down the fingers repeatedly pulled out. The bearing didn't move. Finally I set it in place then managed to wedge in a little 7mm open end wrench between the fingers so they couldn't collapse. Took a little force but it slowly came out

[wizard124]

I was able to borrow a puller from a boat mechanic friend of mine. I had the replacement bearing so we could size it properly. With a couple of bangs from the slide hammer, it popped out.

Simple,,,,,when you have the proper tool

[narfire]

I used half the proper tool... an arm on a gear puller and a cresent wrench and smacked the wrench on the knob on the end of the gear puller. Bearing came out and the gear puller lived for another day...

[carl]

I have used the grease method on many Fiat pilot bearings. It seems silly but it works. I fully pack the area behind the bearing with grease and use a bolt that fits in the bearing center nicely and whack on the bolt. As noted, the grease has nowhere to go an pushes out the bearing.

carl

[BNelsonAz]

A piece of wood or dowel that fits snugly in the pilot bearing hole. Through the hole, pack the space behind the bearing with heavy grease. Tap the dowel in with a hammer, the grease has nowhere to go and pushes the bearing out.

I have used the grease method on many Fiat pilot bearings. It seems silly but it works. I fully pack the area behind the bearing with grease and use a bolt that fits in the bearing center nicely and whack on the bolt. As noted, the grease has nowhere to go an pushes out the bearing.

"That's crazy. But it's crazy enough that it just might work!"

Thanks fellers. I'll give it a shot.

[moggyman64]

Grease does work but it can be very messy to clean out after the bearing has popped out, Follow the same procedure with the dowel etc but use dry bread instead and the bearing will pop out. Its a lot faster and cleaner. I have used this method many times.

Regards

Keith

[Exit98]

Keith,

Wonder Bread or can I use the store brand?

Seriously, if you are not pulling our collective legs, this is the funniest tip I've ever heard.

How many slices or loaves does it take? I mean, white bread is full of air.

I wish I read this before I took mine out with a puller. I would have loved to try bread just for the fun of it. And I would have videoed it too.

[tartan18]

Would pita bread work?

[moggyman64]

I am not pulling any ones leg, one slice usually does the trick, it is only a small void behind the bearing that needs to be filled. Try it you'll like it cos its simple.

Regards

keith

[BNelsonAz]

I am not pulling any ones leg, one slice usually does the trick, it is only a small void behind the bearing that needs to be filled. Try it you'll like it cos its simple.

Okay since I haven't tried the grease yet, I'm going to try the bread.

I can almost hear the snickering already....

[BNelsonAz]

Okay, News From The Weird:

The bread worked, and it was dead easy! Pushed the bearing right out...go figure!

Keith, you the MAN!

Thanks!

Bill

[1982spider]

I found this tip in the archives yesterday and tried it last night. It was incredibly easy, quick and without mess! Thank you Keith, and if anyone else needs a method for removing the pilot bearing, I will vouch for this!

My new bearing is current in the freezer, so let's hope that parts goes well too!

[pierre]

I also would like to thanks all those who mentioned that 'bread trick'.
It took me 4 minutes to remove the pilot bearing, and the cleanup what even faster with the shop vac!

THANK YOU !