My '03 lightning's output bearing was starting to go out. I'm currently working on a '05 scg with a bad shift drum and output bearing so that one is in a large number of pieces in the garage. The problem with splitting the cases on the '03 is I would get into the "might as wells". I did the math and with all the extras it was going to be north of $3500.00 in parts and more time than I have, so I came up with this.
I turned a thick wall pipe to the same size as the inner race of the bearing. Welded a plate on one end and a nut. With a thick washer between the pusher bolt and the output shaft I welded the pipe to the inner race. With little effort I tightened the pusher bolt and the bearing came out.
Now that I had it out I had to install the new one.
So I turned up two thick disks ID slightly larger than the output shaft and smaller than the bearing OD. Drill and taped 3 3/8 holes for the bolts that were going to push the new bearing in. With the pulley nut holding it from pushing off, pushing on the inner race. I slowly and evenly tightened the three bolts. It slid in with a small amount of effort.
If I don't count the time it took me to scrounge up the material and making the "tools" it only took me and hour or so.
Just a different way of doing it.
Matt
Great job. Thanks for sharing the info with us. Definitely saves time and trouble of having to crack the cases open.