Crankshaft spigot removal - I can't believe this worked!

[monkie]

I thought this would be helpful to share for others doing an overhaul. So I took some pictures to show you. 

I have completely stripped down a Defender spec 200Tdi engine for overhaul. I wanted to replace the crankshaft Bush or spigot (LFB50050) but it was in tight and wouldn't drop out nor was I able to get it out with my finger and I didn't want to apply heat to the end of the crankshaft. 

I have read that you can pack the end of the crankshaft with grease then place a tight fitting cylindrical object and hit with a hammer to hydraulically push the Bush out. This comes with a warning that you might cover yourself in grease and it will leave a mess behind. I then read (possibly on here) that an old trick is to use bread (yes, ordinary bread from the kitchen cupboard) in a similar manner but it won't leave a greasy mess. Sounded too good to be true so in the name of science I thought I'd try it. 

Success! I put bread in the end of the crank, turned it up vertically resting on a piece of wood then just a few firm taps with a hammer onto a reduction adapter that I didn't mind hitting and it moved up and out. Quick and easy, so hear are the photos. 

 

[Bowie69]

Impressive stuff, well done

[simonb]

Doesn't work on a 300Tdi crank - the bearing sits against a shoulder inside the crank, so there is no rear exposed surface for the hydraulic action to work on. In the end after trying all the text book ways of doing it, I think collapsed it inwards using a brass drift. Being sintered, the bearing is softer than the brass.

[monkie]

That's interesting, I know the cranks are different part numbers but there is a shoulder in the 200Tdi as well. You can see it in my last picture. 

Maybe it doesn't sit flush up against it in a 200Tdi?

[western]

Always wanted to try the 'bread' method, but never had the chance, good to see it worked for you

on my rebuild I split the bush & then extracted the bits.

[Quagmire]

I have used the grease method with success, but the problem with it is that it's a bugger to clean the grease off of everything afterwards. Will use bread next time! 

[simonpelly]

Loving the bread idea!!!

I can confirm that the grease method worked on our 300Tdi

New spigot bearing gently tapped back in.

Simon...

Edited July 6, 2021 by simonpelly

[landroversforever]

I’ve used the grease method on a Td5…. But you’ve got to make sure the punch is a good fit or the high pressure grease hurts when it hits your hand!

[Escape]

If it's not too tight, you can use wet paper rags as well. Just keep stuffing shreds of soaked paper in and hammering in a punch until it comes out. Compared to grease or bread, the water will leak out faster, so not ideal if it's properly stuck and takes time to persuade. But it is something you always have at hand, so usually the first thing I try.

[simonb]

19 hours ago, monkie said:

That's interesting, I know the cranks are different part numbers but there is a shoulder in the 200Tdi as well. You can see it in my last picture. 

Maybe it doesn't sit flush up against it in a 200Tdi?

Yes, I saw that, my crank seemed to have a much more pronounced shoulder. I did try grease, wet paper towel and bread but nothing would shift it.

[simonpelly]

On our 300Tdi, even when the spigot is fitted and flush with the front of the crank, there is a finger width of recess before a shoulder. As such, the grease could get to work behind this.

Simon...