Pilot Bushing Removal
By David Lenski
The crankshaft pilot bushing, or spigot bearing for you anglophiles, is the bush that is pressed into a recess in the rear of the crankshaft, and which locates the transmission's mainshaft. Although the factory workshop manual for the TR4 calls for its removal by threading the bush with a tap, screwing in a bolt and then pulling the bush out with an homemade puller, I have found a much simpler method. The principle of this shortcut is to build up pressure behind the bush so that is just pops out.
First, fill up the space behind the bush with thick grease. This is easily done by inserting the tip of a grease gun into the recess and filling the space with grease, being careful to avoid air bubbles. Second, find a bolt that just fits into the bush. I found a cylinder head stud to work perfectly on my TR4 (see figure one). Third (see figure two, hit the stud smartly so that it is pushed further in to the bush. This will compress the grease and cause the bush to pop out. A method that not only takes less time than the shop manual procedure and it really works!
(This may indeed be an effective removal technique on a very thick-walled bush like the Triumph pilot shaft bush, but it is much less likely to be effective on the more typical thin-walled bush due to the significantly less end-surface area.-Ed.)
Working on automobiles is inherently dangerous. Moss Motors, Ltd. is not liable for injury or damage due to incorrect installation or use of their products. All products are sold with the understanding that the safe and proper installation and use of the products is the customer’s responsibility. Follow factory workshop manual procedures and instructions, but use current shop safety standards and common sense. Some tasks will require professional advice or services which Moss Motors cannot provide.Email (for Moss Tech help):
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