OTC Hub Grappler in the rust belt

[Thamuza]

Anyone in the Midwest use the OTC Hub Grappler on a regular basis. I am considering buying it, but want to know about anyone's experience in the rust belt with it.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Don't consider myself in the real rust belt (southern NJ) but with all the calcium chloride the spray the roads with every time they even forecast flurries, we are quickly becoming part of the rust belt.


A put together a hodgepodge hub grappler by getting the HF hub puller (which is a copy of the OTC the hub tamer). Then I bought the OTC hub grappler upgrade kit that is meant to upgrade the OTC hub tamer. And even comes with an impact rated forcing screw. As a home user, I honestly don't use it on a regular basis.

It made pulling the hub and bearing out a a mercedies 4 mastic an easy job (they are usually a *****.)

Chris

 

[TTLLOGIC]

So far so good here!

 

[Shadowdog500]

That hodgepodge kit that you built is exactly what I was thinking about doing. The HF kit is famous for the forcing screw being trashed on the first use.

Only thing is that I had to make a small puller plate to pull the hub out. For some reason that part does not come with the upgrade kit. Here is a photo of the part, it's use, and the dimensions.

Here is the part I made.


Here is where it is used.



Here are the dimentions


Chris

 

[Thamuza]

Thank you for the replies but it didn't answer my question. I need to know is it worth the investment, does it work well on rusty vehicles.

 

[d.mcfarland]

How many do you do weekly/monthly/year?

You are the only one that will know if it is truly "worth the investment".

 

[coralnut]

Dog, great post. Thanks.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Thank you for the replies but it didn't answer my question. I need to know is it worth the investment, does it work well on rusty vehicles.

Eric O from south main auto repair in central NY (heavy rust belt) uses an OTC hub tamer and don't appear to have any complaints. His setup was before they added the additional Hub Grappler parts, and had a different type of hump puller part that didn't work as well.

Here is a video of him using it on a Toyota. If he had the grappler upgrade he wouldn't need the slide hammer.

Here is a video of a bearing upgrade he did to his.

Chris

 

[kleinergti1]

I use mine about ten times a year in Iowa. Rust can be heavy but has yet to be an issue. Mainly used on vw's and audi's