Guide For What To Do If The Pilot Bearing Is Stuck
This Tech Tip follows on the heels of our popular Tech Tip #48, Maintaining Your Twin Disc, Rockford, NACD, or WPT Power PTO Clutch. In this Tech Tip we discuss how to remove a difficult pilot bearing. Whether you have an NACD, Rockford, Twin Disc or a WPT Power PTO clutch, the vast majority of these units have a pilot bearing. Whenever you remove a PTO to replace friction discs, the clutch pack, general rebuilding or replacement, you should install a new pilot bearing. Often the pilot bearing can be hard to remove and/or if it has a special pilot bearing holder, there is the risk of damaging the pilot bearing holder if you are not careful
Over the years people have used slide hammers, bearing pullers, and cursing. None of these three techniques is infallible. Some other creative options we have heard of are using grease, Play-DOH®, Silly Putty®, or even white bread to pack the space behind the pilot bearing and then using pressure to push the bearing out. In these examples, pressure is created by using a wooden or plastic dowel (softer material than the flywheel or bearing holder to avoid damaging either) with outside diameter just under the inside diameter of the pilot bearing. Pressing the dowel through the center of the bearing and giving it a few good whacks creates pressure to push out the bearing. No cursing required.
Of course today you can find bearing pullers designed to safely and easily do this work, but if you don’t have them and are in a pinch, there is always another way. And of course, it is a great way to justify picking up some Play-DOH® or Silly Putty® for the shop!
We stock all sorts of pilot bearings, friction discs, clutch packs and complete PTOs. Our website has some of the most common items, but if you don’t see what you need give our team a call as we probably have what you need in stock.
While this Tech Tip focused on pilot bearing removal, we take support seriously and, using the issues we see day in and day out with Twin Disc®, NACD®, Rockford™, and WPT Power® over-center power takeoffs, we have developed a library of tips to answer the questions you may have. The following are just a few of the PTO centered tips you might find helpful:
- Tech Tip # 41: SAE Bell Housings Made Easy
- Tech Tip # 73: How to Make Your Twin Disc or Rockford Power Takeoff Last Longer
- Tech Tip # 93: Twin Disc and Rockford Power Takeoffs: How to Order
- Tech Tip #210: Clutch Pack Adjustment
- Tech Tip #218: Replace Your Clutch Pack or The Complete Power Takeoff Clutch? How to Decide
Still have questions? Give us a call! Foley is different: we have been at it since 1916 helping our customers and friends to keep their equipment running; it is who we are.
Manufacturers names, symbols and numbers are for reference purposes only and do not imply manufacturing origin.
