Help: need a pilot bearing puller

I have had good results removing that type of bearing by filling the cavity with grease then sliding an old input shaft back in and tapping with a hammer. CAn't remember if I did that on a BMW though.
 
I recently did my clutch and pilot bearing, after researching the various methods - grease as Bob says, wet toilet paper, Bavauto's maligned puller, I settled on a cheapo $20 Harbor Freight slide puller, it broke of course, but I got the bearing out and wrote it off as the cost of repair. The other methods can work, but if it is rust welded like mine in you will get a face full of grease, a lot of nasty toilet paper stuck in there, or a broken pricey Bavauto puller.
 
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I used this, truly a piece of junk, I am not sure the 3 arm puller fits inside the bearing, I was on my last hook piece before it finally popped out:

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The Paper Way

I'll vouch for the newspaper method, and mine was quite seized. I used a mallet and a socket (maybe 8mm?) to drive the wet paper in. I almost gave up once or twice but I switched to a 3-pound hammer which finished the job. Judging by how much paper was squeezing out between the balls in the bearing assembly, no type of grease would have been viscous enough. Hope yours comes a little easier.
 
Thanks all your help

Thanks all your help.

The wet paper, 3/8 Craftsman extension and a sledge hummer worked!

It took about 15 minutes. It was easy. And I agree with Blinking about hummer, got hit with a large hummer!

Now I can sleep well!
Good night!
Jack
 
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I have used Bob’s method in post #2 for years with good success but with one slight difference. I mix speedy-dry with the grease or #90 gear oil to make it into a thick paste. I have also used it to remove blind bushings in starters as well. I do have a lathe in the shop so making a tight slip fitting driver is a piece of cake. ~ John Buchtenkirch
 
A different approach

1. A tap. Lots of grease, the tap bottoms. In doing so, it forces the bush/ bearing outwards.

2. A wedge anchor with a suitable washer/ plate and corresponding nut. Commonly referred to as a concrete anchor. A small spacer so the wedge sits inside the bearing, hammered to expand within the bearing. The washer or plate ( for covers, etc) to bridge and the nut to turn and withdraw the offending stuck/ stubborn bush or bearing.( It's a Porsche tool actually)
 
Several tools exist for the specific purpose of extracting pilot bearings. Nothing against using the grease method - except a misplaced mallet blow. Same with slide hammer, except for situations involving restricted access. Mentioned in earlier post was the HF tool, of which I have only seen the picture and can't attest to its strength or size. When I could locate it, I have used a similar two jaw forged design.


http://www.harborfreight.com/3-jaw-pilot-bearing-puller-4876.html

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Glad you got it out.

I've tried the grease method with no success, then poked a screwdriver in and found the bearing almost fell into my hand. WTF?! The key is to have a tight fitting cylindrical object to ram/compress the grease. That way there's good compression of the grease and minimal spit-back, and of course a rag over the bits helps control/contain the stuff.

Snap-On makes a real nice pilot bearing puller that I have borrowed a couple times from a more well-tooled acquaintence. Like most of their stuff, it's not cheap, and so I don't own one, nor a nice Kukko tie rod separator. But I do have a pickle fork and BFH; these can be made to do the job.
 
Dremel with fiberglass cutting wheel - finish off with a chisel and a hammer. Somewhere around five minutes.
I always felt dumb smacking the grease all over the place.
 
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