Pullers. ****** pullers.

[diogenes]

[RANT]You never have the right damned tool when you need it. Pullers will be the death of me, I swear.[/RANT]

Thank you. I feel much better now.

Here is my question: What is this puller used for? First picture below, for the link challenged.

I had a cheapo puller of this type (Second picture) that I attempted to use to take off a harmonic balancer. It failed. I might have been better off shaping one with taffy and trying that...

So I, unwisely and in desperation, used the aforesaid jaw type puller to ruin the harmonic balancer. Thankfully, I succeeded in getting the thing off, but ruined it. I have since purchased a decent puller, I hope, and will not do that again.

I went to change a power steering pump today and neither puller I have is the right puller for that job. I ran to Advance Auto, because it was after closing time for the local NAPA, and borrowed a puller set, rather nice I thought ($44 retail), and did the deed in the parking lot then gave it back. They did not even charge me the deposit since I told them I was going to do it in the lot and bring it right back.

So, now I am thinking it's time to buy a pulley puller of that type against future need. There seem to be some kits on eBay that look similar to what I used at Advance Auto for about half the cost.

I am not willing to drop $100 plus for a puller I MAY need in the next year or two, so truck brands are out. Any suggestions and answers to my original question are gratefully accepted.

 

[rodm1]

I'm in need of some good pullers to. I've found a great Harmonic Balancer Puller from Summit.

Harmonic Balancer Puller:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G1025/
http://www.precisionperformance.com/puller.htm
http://www.tridon.com.au/Products/Product.aspx?SG=5&S=23&G=60513&P=68729

 

[nate379]

What is a Grate Harmonic Balancer?

I have a few pullers, Harbor Freight specials and they have served me well. Have made plenty of homebrew ones as well with C Channel, angle iron, etc and some grade 8 bolts.

 

[diogenes]

I'm in need of some good pullers to. I've found a grate Harmonic Balancer Puller from Summit.

Harmonic Balancer Puller:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G1025/

That is a solid looking unit. But, for $105, it should be... I'm in the market for a power steering/alternator/smog pump type, though.

What is a Grate Harmonic Balancer?

I have a few pullers, Harbor Freight specials and they have served me well. Have made plenty of homebrew ones as well with C Channel, angle iron, etc and some grade 8 bolts.

My HF grade puller is what failed me on the harmonic balancer and I think I am cured of that affliction as far as pullers are concerned from now on... Homebrew requires that I have the material laying around, which I don't, and I "think" I have that covered by my new puller I grabbed from NAPA.

I racked my brain for a homebrew solution for the power steering pump pulley to no avail. I just don't have the materials for such a thing. If I was a home machine shop hobbyist... But, alas, I am not.

 

[Coach James]

That two jaw puller(left hand pic) is what I would use to pull a wheel hub.

Coach

 

[sanddrag]

My HF 3-jaw sheared all its bolts and bent its plates on the first use. But, I replaced the bolts, and have pulled a few things with it since. It's not a decent unit by any stretch of the imagination. I would speculate pullers is one of those "get whatcha pay for" type of things.

 

[nate379]

Just figured most everyone has at least a few scraps of steel laying around. Most of the material I buy is in 10 or 20ft sticks, so if I don't need a whole stick it gets chucked in the scrap pile. I don't have too much cause I move around a bit (military) but my Dad has a few thousand lbs easy.

That is a solid looking unit. But, for $105, it should be... I'm in the market for a power steering/alternator/smog pump type, though.



My HF grade puller is what failed me on the harmonic balancer and I think I am cured of that affliction as far as pullers are concerned from now on... Homebrew requires that I have the material laying around, which I don't, and I "think" I have that covered by my new puller I grabbed from NAPA.

I racked my brain for a homebrew solution for the power steering pump pulley to no avail. I just don't have the materials for such a thing. If I was a home machine shop hobbyist... But, alas, I am not.

 

[MacMan]

Not really suitable for balancers so much, but for all other things, this has been one of the best purchases I have made.

Not this brand, but very similar:

It also means that I don't have to scoot off to the inlaws to use the "big" press when I want to do most motorcycle sized things, or some Land Rover bits.

The Volkswagen Golf rim is an optional extra, batteries not included!

 

[diogenes]

Just figured most everyone has at least a few scraps of steel laying around. Most of the material I buy is in 10 or 20ft sticks, so if I don't need a whole stick it gets chucked in the scrap pile. I don't have too much cause I move around a bit (military) but my Dad has a few thousand lbs easy.

I do very little with metal, my welding skills are very undeveloped though I do have a stick welder. I did buy a 3' 3/8" rod and grind the end into a hex for the oil pump and I will be saving it. I have some thick sheet metal I picked up somewhere and a sheet of aluminum, that's about it.

Not really suitable for balancers so much, but for all other things, this has been one of the best purchases I have made.

Not this brand, but very similar:

It also means that I don't have to scoot off to the inlaws to use the "big" press when I want to do most motorcycle sized things, or some Land Rover bits.

The Volkswagen Golf rim is an optional extra, batteries not included!

That is an awesome idea for a homebrew press. Now, if I take one of my old steel wheels, find my welder, get a large puller set.... Oh, this could be bad. Really bad...

 

[caper]

I have a metal toolbox that a portapower came in that I use for storing most of my pullers.I have more in that box than some of the shops I've worked in had but it still seems like I always need something different.I work on everything from lawnmowers to heavy equipment so I seem to always be making something to get the job done.I tend to buy them at yard sales and flee markets whenever I see one for a decent price.It always seems that you never have the type you need at the time.Buying cheap pullers is a **** shoot,some will get the job done and others are just plain dangerous.

 

[rsanter]

I'm in need of some good pullers to. I've found a great Harmonic Balancer Puller from Summit.

Harmonic Balancer Puller:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G1025/

for under $100 you can get the snap on version used off ebay

bob

 

[IDASHO]

I cannot even tell you how many times having 12" piece of 5/8 all thread, appropriate nuts and washers, and a few spacers/receivers have saved my ****.

Pullers are tough to justify, until you are faced with a project that NEEDS one.

 

[Jeeper]

We really should start a thread of homemade tools and the situation that inspired them.

 

[CraigFL]

I think the word puller is a misnomer. Most of the times when I need one, including harmonic balancers, I just use the "puller" to exert tension on the connection. Then I rap the puller firmly on the end with a hammer and the part pops off. Some parts that look like they need to be pulled may really need to be pressed apart like bearings (if you can't use some heat.