What's a good bearing separator/puller kit?

[Sanderguy777]

I am sick and tired of wrecking HF bearing pullers on old bearings. I wrecked two 3 jaw pullers in a week (the screw stretched and all the chrome comes off, and it's just a royal mess)!

I am going to buy a bearing separator from HF today, but I want to know recommendations for one that's made from actual hardened STEEL, not annealed aluminum pot metal.

Also, what do I use to lube the threads on them? Seems like that would help the cheap ones a little at least.

 

[bob15]

Lubing threads can lead to **** in threads. If needed maybe try a dry lube such the one made and sold on amazon which had teflon in it.

As for puller and bearing separators: Snap on, Proto and older US-made OTC (not sure about their new stuff). Look for used ones at flea markets, swap meets, marketplace, c-list, ebay, etc. You might find older Billings, Bonney and Armstrong pieces which would also be good-to-buy.

I wouldn't buy a kit, but rather buy what you need and build it up slowly.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Mine are usa proto. I just have their splitter set for press use. I've been happy in my application.

 

[Sanderguy777]

Lubing threads can lead to **** in threads. If needed maybe try a dry lube such the one made and sold on amazon which had teflon in it.

As for puller and bearing separators: Snap on, Proto and older US-made OTC (not sure about their new stuff). Look for used ones at flea markets, swap meets, marketplace, c-list, ebay, etc. You might find older Billings, Bonney and Armstrong pieces which would also be good-to-buy.

I wouldn't buy a kit, but rather buy what you need and build it up slowly.

Mine are usa proto. I just have their splitter set for press use. I've been happy in my application.

Great thanks!
I have some graphite spray, would that work?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I don't lube mine really. Most of the time I don't even run them in all the way as I'm using them in a shop press

 

[corn chip]

people never want to use a proper tool for the job. let alone a high qaulity one

 

[Vwpower]

Otc would be a nice upgrade. Don’t trip i just lube the threads with whatever

 

[Sanderguy777]

I don't lube mine really. Most of the time I don't even run them in all the way as I'm using them in a shop press

That's what I'm thinking of next. This HF one I got (because it's cheap and was available right away) did a good job, but I'd be happy to buy a better one if I see a good deal.

people never want to use a proper tool for the job. let alone a high qaulity one

Are you saying I'm not PEOPLE!? LOL
I like having a good tool. I just enjoy using them. Especially when the cheap one is a complete and utter PAIN to use (every time I use the old bearing pullers the screw gets shortr and my temper gets shorter at least as fast LOL. Same goes for the cheap Crescent wrench I bought there, but all leat its 15" long, so I don't have to use every ounce of strength in me to move the stupid screw!)

 

[corn chip]

theres several used higher qaulity units on ebay. expect to pay atleast $100 for the puller crossbar and clamshell. new otc is probly a few hundred but might be worth it for daily use. then again a good used one should last a long time if its not abused

 

[corn chip]

start watching ebay more often. ive got alot of top qaulity tools there for cheap. unless it was a dire emergeny i personally see no reason to set foot in HF

 

[Sanderguy777]

Otc would be a nice upgrade. Don’t trip i just lube the threads with whatever

Good to know!

theres several used higher qaulity units on ebay. expect to pay atleast $100 for the puller crossbar and clamshell. new otc is probly a few hundred but might be worth it for daily use. then again a good used one should last a long time if its not abused

I don't get to use it daily...
Would I still need the screw part if I got an arbor press?

 

[Cruzan80]

What exactly do you call the forked end at the top? Have several of the two piece half moons from various sets, but the fork/threaded rod in the center always seems to die first.

Anyone know a company that sells that portion?

 

[Sanderguy777]

start watching ebay more often. ive got alot of top qaulity tools there for cheap. unless it was a dire emergeny i personally see no reason to set foot in HF

I needed the stuff today so I could get on to another project, but usually I try to buy better tools.

I will say that they have great nitrile gloves and their sockets are plenty good enough for my use.

 

[Sanderguy777]

What exactly do you call the forked end at the top? Have several of the two piece half moons from various sets, but the fork/threaded rod in the center always seems to die first.

Anyone know a company that sells that portion?

Idk. I've only seen them in the kits. Everyone seems to have a few extra of the splitter things, but I've never seen the "tuning fork" part outside a kit.

 

[robert6715]

Over the course of 3 years starting in 2015, I purchased the following OTC kits & have been happy with the quality. Pretty sure they are all foreign-made & I have used them quite a bit.

1183 bearing spreader/splitter set, 5 spreaders from small to real big
1180 10-ton push/pull set
4532 7-ton bearing & puller set
4520 diff side bearing puller set

I always lube the forcing screw of any puller with whatever wheel-bearing grease I have on hand. I started doing that after I locked up a Mac ball joint press about 25 years ago & have not had any trouble since.

 

[Steve_P]

For "splitters" I have OTC, HF, Proto... and an ancient SK. They are all the same to me and I don't see any difference between them. My HF ones are 15-20 years old, so YMMV on what they sell today.

For pullers, there is definitely a difference. I have 20-30 year old HF, and they're fine, mostly Taiwan made, but also Proto, OTC, KD, Posi Lock.... For lubrication on a puller screw, you want a high moly concentration. Loctite make one that is the best, but not cheap.

 

[Sanderguy777]

Over the course of 3 years starting in 2015, I purchased the following OTC kits & have been happy with the quality. Pretty sure they are all foreign-made & I have used them quite a bit.

1183 bearing spreader/splitter set, 5 spreaders from small to real big
1180 10-ton push/pull set
4532 7-ton bearing & puller set
4520 diff side bearing puller set

I always lube the forcing screw of any puller with whatever wheel-bearing grease I have on hand. I started doing that after I locked up a Mac ball joint press about 25 years ago & have not had any trouble since.

Good to know!

 

[Sanderguy777]

For "splitters" I have OTC, HF, Proto... and an ancient SK. They are all the same to me and I don't see any difference between them. My HF ones are 15-20 years old, so YMMV on what they sell today.

For pullers, there is definitely a difference. I have 20-30 year old HF, and they're fine, mostly Taiwan made, but also Proto, OTC, KD, Posi Lock.... For lubrication on a puller screw, you want a high moly concentration. Loctite make one that is the best, but not cheap.

What is the concentration? And what model is the Loctite?
I have Sta-lube that's 3% moly, would that work?

 

[vwpieces]

What is the concentration? And what model is the Loctite?
I have Sta-lube that's 3% moly, would that work?

CV joint grease is generally higher moly content.

 

[silkman]

Get the correct tool for the job. Example in VAG, when you remove the bearing the race stays on the hub. Fight with torch and chisels or get the correct puller below.

Not cheap but similar style exists in other brands.

 

[Sanderguy777]

Get the correct tool for the job. Example in VAG, when you remove the bearing the race stays on the hub. Fight with torch and chisels or get the correct puller below.

Not cheap but similar style exists in other brands.

I have never seen one with that clamp on the side! I'll keep a lookout for it, but I'm pretty happy with the "splitter" type for now. And it can kind of do the same thing to some degree (clamp on the sides and has thin enough "jaws" to get into small areas.) But when I see one of these I'll pick it up.

 

[disston]

My first go to these days is OTC. I used to have a few Snap On pullers. Most were stolen. I was a cadgy Ebay shopper years ago when good stuff could be found for cheap. I don't think that's the deal anymore but I'm not looking as much so don't know for sure.

 

[Sanderguy777]

My first go to these days is OTC. I used to have a few Snap On pullers. Most were stolen. I was a cadgy Ebay shopper years ago when good stuff could be found for cheap. I don't think that's the deal anymore but I'm not looking as much so don't know for sure.

Good to know. Yeah it looks like everything on ebay regarding tools is really expensive. One of the splitter style "clamp" things was on there for $800. Idk what it was new, but it had ¾" bolts, so it was heavy duty, but $800!?

I got a few mixed brand sockets amd a few other small tools a few years ago that are impact rated. I forget how much I paid, but it was probably something like $30 for 20 pcs. Now that I've seen the actual prices of snap on tools, I think that each of the 3 or 4 snap on sockets I got were worth that if they were new!

 

[corn chip]

the clamshell piece is called a bearing splitter i believe. was several decent qaulity on ebay for under $100. do you know how to use ebay.

 

[Cruzan80]

the clamshell piece is called a bearing splitter i believe. was several decent qaulity on ebay for under $100. do you know how to use ebay.

I was actually specifically talking about the other half, but thanks. Henve why I said "forked piece at the top". Yes, I have used ebay for a while....

 

[Sanderguy777]

I was actually specifically talking about the other half, but thanks. Henve why I said "forked piece at the top". Yes, I have used ebay for a while....

For a second I thought he was after me LOL.

The one I found was for some GIANT bearings and probably some monster hydraulic press given that they used ¾" bolts...

 

[Sanderguy777]

Anyone know of a problem buying grade 8 bolts for the splitter part? At least I can solve that issue before it becomes one.

 

[Cruzan80]

Not sire which of us he was replying to, but was a bit over the top either way, IMO.

 

[Sanderguy777]

Not sire which of us he was replying to, but was a bit over the top either way, IMO.

Especially when search terms and filters make such a difference to what you see LOL

 

[MechManiac]

I am sick and tired of wrecking HF bearing pullers on old bearings. I wrecked two 3 jaw pullers in a week (the screw stretched and all the chrome comes off, and it's just a royal mess)!

I am going to buy a bearing separator from HF today, but I want to know recommendations for one that's made from actual hardened STEEL, not annealed aluminum pot metal.

Also, what do I use to lube the threads on them? Seems like that would help the cheap ones a little at least.

Posi Lock Puller

 

[Sanderguy777]

Posi Lock Puller

That definitely looks good!

 

[robert6715]

Anyone know of a problem buying grade 8 bolts for the splitter part? At least I can solve that issue before it becomes one.

That works for the smaller ones, you want fine thread. For the larger ones, you want to get fine thread hardened all thread.

 

[Sanderguy777]

That works for the smaller ones, you want fine thread. For the larger ones, you want to get fine thread hardened all thread.

Oh, ok. Where do I find that? Maybe small pieces on ebay?

 

[robert6715]

Oh, ok. Where do I find that? Maybe small pieces on ebay?

McMaster Carr has grade 8 all thread, sold by the inch & foot, in coarse & fine. I suspect most of the industrial supply places have it.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I have a collection of OTC, Proto, and Snap on... But lately I've been grabbing any and all Posi-Lock pullers I find on the used market.... They are awesome. However, they will not fit in every single instance. Therefore I keep the other stuff in case I need to grind or shave down.

And as others have said, lube is good.

 

[Sanderguy777]

I have a collection of OTC, Proto, and Snap on... But lately I've been grabbing any and all Posi-Lock pullers I find on the used market.... They are awesome. However, they will not fit in every single instance. Therefore I keep the other stuff in case I need to grind or shave down.

And as others have said, lube is good.

They definitely seem like a good design (better than my zip-tied 3 jaw pullers from HF LOL