Hub Puller

[Kenskip1]

OK, So here is the question. Has anyone used the Maddux hub puller from Harbor Freight? I have looked at the one from Astro, and Lisle. Both are at the high end of my budget. Thanks Ken

9 Way 5 lb. Slide Hammer and Puller Set

Amazing deals on this 5 Lb. Slide Hammer And Puller Set at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[cgrutt]

I have that set but haven't used it to pull any hubs. Set is OK and works. Comes in a decent case and assortment of adapters. I wound up making my own adapter for what I needed it for but think that would have been the case with any brand. IIRC it was about $100 didn't have a coupon I needed it when I bought it.

 

[M635_Guy]

There's a coupon coming up that will save you a few bucks if you can wait until Friday:


(or tomorrow if you're an ITC member)

 

[ThePostman]

Horrible reviews about the threads on the tool. I have the OTC version which I have beat the snot out of in a pro environment, and it didn't cost that much more than the Maddox.

 

[M635_Guy]

I haven't seen any horrible reviews, but searching for them here there are a couple of other options:

Craftsman @ Lowe's

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-Automotive-10-Way-Puller-Slide-Hammer-Kit/1003096280

GearWrench @ HD

GEARWRENCH Slide Hammer Oil Seal and Axle Puller Set with Case (10-Piece) 41700D - The Home Depot

Provide a wide range of puller applications by choosing this Way Slide Hammer Puller Set from GearWrench. Offers durability.

www.homedepot.com

Both appear to have a lifetime warranty. Since I think Lowe's will handle the Craftsman warranty in-store, I'd lean that way...

Thread: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/new-hf-maddox-slide-hammer-kit.472430/#post-8896292

 

[WhataTool]

Depends on where you live. Slide hammers work until they dont, impact wrench pullers sometimes need heat, but they tend to do the job pretty much every time

 

[Kenskip1]

Horrible reviews about the threads on the tool. I have the OTC version which I have beat the snot out of in a pro environment, and it didn't cost that much more than the Maddox.

Where can I read about all the "Horrible" reviews? Or is this simply someone's opinion?

 

[Steve_P]

I have the OTC and no issues with it; but I wouldn't be surprised if it was the same as the Maddox.

 

[dnschmidt]

To me a 5# slide hammer seems a little light. If it were 10# I'd be more inclined.

 

[WWheeler]

To me a 5# slide hammer seems a little light. If it were 10# I'd be more inclined.

I have the OTC 5# kit and OTC's 10# slide hammer that has the same threads and works with all the adapters in the kit. I've only ever used the 10#er with the Hub adapter from it and it works great for that. I'm too damn old to try to yank a hub with the 5# slider. Just thinking about it makes my elbows hurt.

If I had to do it all over today after reading the suggestions here I'd get that Craftsman kit from Lowes with the 'lifetime warranty' and the OTC 10# slide hammer to abuse those adapters with.

 

[boom_bap]

whats your use case? You could skip slide hammering and get a hub puller and impact it off too

 

[joel_400]

I have the older harbor fright slide hammer...needed it for a job one day. It cost 59 bucks then. Did the job, but what a pile of ****! I pulled two axles out of a rear end and by the time I was done the slide and the rod were both mushrooming. Then one day I went to use it for a hub on a car I was working on and the included hub puller wouldn't work. I found a different hub puller attachment for a standard slide hammer...that's when I found out the slide hammer I got from harbor fright had different threads than "standard" slide hammers. Long story short it wouldn't even thread on to work. I personally would spend a bit more and get a better kit than the harbor fright one. Not trying to rain on your parade, but figured I'd share my experience to save you the headache if you ever wanted to expand your kit.
Joel

 

[ThePostman]

Where can I read about all the "Horrible" reviews? Or is this simply someone's opinion?

Harbor Freights own site for the tool

 

[Kenskip1]

Harbor Freights own site for the tool

Sir, I just read over 40 reviews on there website and not one said anything against this tool. How about you copy and paste and prove your statement.

 

[ThePostman]

Sir, I just read over 40 reviews on there website and not one said anything against this tool. How about you copy and paste and prove your statement.

Failure during first use, obscure threads​

Axle puller failed during first use, air pockets in casting. It has metric threads (not standard 5/8x 18) and is incompatible with other accessories, including Harbor Freight which are all 5/8 x 18. Recommend another brand.

 

[Kenskip1]

Sir, The Axle puller and the Hub puller are two completely different tools. However thank you for the information

 

[dnschmidt]

Failure during first use, obscure threads​

Axle puller failed during first use, air pockets in casting. It has metric threads (not standard 5/8x 18) and is incompatible with other accessories, including Harbor Freight which are all 5/8 x 18. Recommend another brand.

Are you sure about 5/8 X 18. Everything I have in the slide Hammer arena (including TOPTUL' s set made in Taiwan) use 5/8" X 11 which is also the standard angle grinder thread.

 

[hkd76]

My Harbor Freight 5# slide hammer is 5/8 X 18. I bought it 5 or 6 years ago.

 

[signcrafter]

Sir, The Axle puller and the Hub puller are two completely different tools. However thank you for the information

When I type axle puller into the HF website the only thing that comes up is the 3 piece axle bearing puller set.

What type of hubs are you planning on working on? There are different types of hubs that require different type of pullers. You linked to a slide hammer which can be used to pull certain hubs. But I have a slide hammer, hub buster, the astro front end sets, the tool for ford and dodge solid axle hubs, along with a few other hub removal tools, and then the thor air hammer. Depending on the type of hub depends on which tool I grab.

If all you are looking for is a slide hammer kit with the adapter you can bolt onto hubs then I would think any of those kits will probably get the job done, it's a fairly simplistic tool. Obviously with any cheaper tool there is quality control issues and a chance of getting a dud. So go with the one that is easiest to warranty for you.

 

[Kenskip1]

Signcrafter, Most of the work will hopefully be simply changing hubs on front wheel drive along with CV axels and the like. I cannot give you a definitive answer as the shop owner has as of yet to contact me. It's a mom and pop garage so nothing elaborate hopefully be required. I am leaning toward the Harbor Freight as there is a store a short distance from me. Ken

 

[signcrafter]

Front wheel drives are mostly unit bearings. Being in the rust belt I usually just unbolt and go at them with air hammer. Or a hub buster. Some rear hubs on front wheel drives have replaceable bearings and can use slide hammer to pull the outer hub off. Do you have impact and axle nut sockets?

 

[Kenskip1]

Yes I do.

 

[WWheeler]

Are you sure about 5/8 X 18. Everything I have in the slide Hammer arena (including TOPTUL' s set made in Taiwan) use 5/8" X 11 which is also the standard angle grinder thread.

My Harbor Freight 5# slide hammer is 5/8 X 18. I bought it 5 or 6 years ago.

OTC's 5 lb kit and their 10 lb slide hammers both use 5/8" -18 thread.



So does GearWrench



Harbor Freight does not. Their thread size seems a bit of a mystery as they do not list it in their specs, but apparently metric according to a search of reviews for 'Thread'.




Everywhere I looked for info on that Stanley Craftsman kit (CMMT14140) (Craftsman site, Lowes, Amazon) the thread size wasn't listed. On the Lowes site someone asked what the thread size is in the Q&A and a Craftsman rep replied with a 1-888 ph number to call instead of actually answering the question. I tried calling the number and none of the options are available unless you had already made a purchase, so I asked the same question again, and I asked on the Amazon listing too. I'll update this post if/when I get an actual answer.

EDIT: Well, that didn't take long at all to get an answer from Stanley about the Craftsman. Looks like it's 5/8-18 also

 

[dnschmidt]

My bad.

 

[jacked_72]

Where can I read about all the "Horrible" reviews? Or is this simply someone's opinion?

What's a review if not someone's opinion?

 

[Kenskip1]

What's a review if not someone's opinion?

Well Jack, (a play on words) It all boils down to who is righting it. A young person with little or know mechanical knowledge or experience or a seasoned veteran that has been doing this type of work for a long time. Personally, I have had good luck with Harbor Freight tools. Check out there new "Hercules" impacts. I was surprised.

 

[Steve_P]

I have the older harbor fright slide hammer...needed it for a job one day. It cost 59 bucks then. Did the job, but what a pile of ****! I pulled two axles out of a rear end and by the time I was done the slide and the rod were both mushrooming. Then one day I went to use it for a hub on a car I was working on and the included hub puller wouldn't work. I found a different hub puller attachment for a standard slide hammer...that's when I found out the slide hammer I got from harbor fright had different threads than "standard" slide hammers. Long story short it wouldn't even thread on to work. I personally would spend a bit more and get a better kit than the harbor fright one. Not trying to rain on your parade, but figured I'd share my experience to save you the headache if you ever wanted to expand your kit.
Joel

That's funny, because I also had the original HF POS slide hammer that came in a metal box- probably bought it 20 years ago. I don't know what I paid for it, and I don't know what happened to it, but I do remember that it was junk The quality was about the same as their original ball joint press, which went to recycling after a few uses.

If the Maddox doesn't have 5/8-18 thread, then there's no way I'd buy it.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Two "old fashioned" way to remove a hub.

1) Use a 1/2" extension between a loosened mounting boot and the frame. The power steering become a hydraulic ram.

2) Remove one lug. Using a Grade 8 bolt and nut, place it through the empty lug hole. Attach nut to backside. Holding the nut, tighten the bolt against the knuckle.

 

[WWheeler]

Two "old fashioned" way to remove a hub.

1) Use a 1/2" extension between a loosened mounting boot and the frame. The power steering become a hydraulic ram.

2) Remove one lug. Using a Grade 8 bolt and nut, place it through the empty lug hole. Attach nut to backside. Holding the nut, tighten the bolt against the knuckle.

Just a FYI, that's a bolt on hub assembly with the hub and bearing together not a press in hub inside a pressed in bearing one would need to use a slide hammer or Hub Grappler / Hub Tamer type tool to remove just the hub from the bearing while it's still on the car.

Fair enough, I've gotten confused myself on a different thread when the discussion was about a different hub tool, the Lisle 4100 Hub Remover - which is apparently meant to be used on stubborn bolt on hubs like in your video. I saw the jack screw on it and wrongly figured it was something they were trying to market for use on a press in hub, but no, someone else here pointed out to me how it was meant to be used.

FWIW Astro has their 78834 "Last Chance" hub tool that employs hardened bolts/nuts and cups that push against the knuckle to remove a stubborn bolt on hub in the same manner Eric O. shows in the video you posted. It's an improvement on the very same method, as the bolts/nuts are a lot more durable and it won't leave as much witness marks on the knuckle and/or backing plate, and Eric O. has shown it in use also.

But, if it's a press in hub in a pressed in bearing ^ that method aint going to work. Here's Eric O. showing how to get one of those out using a slide hammer (note that after the hub is slide hammered out, now he still has to remove the pressed in bearing from the knuckle):

EDIT: ^ Eric didn't mention it in that video but it's worth noting to anyone who wants to use a slide hammer like that you really will want to have a different set of sacrificial lug nuts to attach the tool to the hub instead of the ones used to hold on the wheel, or else the pounding they take removing the hub with the slide hammer is very very likely to leave you needing to buy a new set anywho.