universal hub puller brands (OT)

[Guest 50Plymouth]

I realize I need the right tool to remove my p20 rear drums sooo as my local shopping town & auto supply does not rent them I'm looking to purchase.

any alternative (cheaper) brand recommendations besides the OTC 7394? ($110+ new)

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/otc7394.html

I see an 'off brand' out there called "Minnesota Pneumatic Tools" for $50ish. Are their products any good? never heard of the company.

Ryan

[Norm's Coupe]

Don't know how fast you need the puller, but you can get them for half that price or less, used. Run a search on ebay and you'll usually find a few there. I picked up mine at a shop going out of business for only $20. I saw a guy selling a bunch of them at a swap meet new, in a nice metal case after that for about $50. Had a whole trailer full, said he got them from government surplus. That was around 7 AM in the morning. By about 1 PM when I passed his booth again he only had about 2 or 3 left.

[TodFitch]

The one you link to looks like the one I have. Mine does not really fit on the lug/bolt circle very well. Seems like it would like a larger diameter. But even though the fit is not good it does the job of getting my rear drums off.

Can't speak to the "Minnesota Pneumatic Tools" one. That sounds like the kind of brand name Harbor Freight would come up with for their house brand.

[Guest 50Plymouth]

Man, wheres a local swap meet in rural land when you need one I've only been watching listings on ebay for a week or so.. didn't know decent ones went that cheap. I am in a little bit of a hurry, I had expected to find them easier to rent localy but as low as <25, wow I'd of jumped on that instantly..

If I get too impatient I may do a buy it now I guess:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BRAND-NEW-Universal-hub-puller-tool-MPP-TOOLS_W0QQitemZ220104026638QQihZ012QQcategoryZ43996QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I'll keep a looking.

[Young Ed]

Never heard of Minnesota pneumatic either. But OTC is owatonna tool company which is also in MN. I wonder if the other name is a cheap line from the same company?

[Guest 50Plymouth]

The one you link to looks like the one I have. Mine does not really fit on the lug/bolt circle very well. Seems like it would like a larger diameter. But even though the fit is not good it does the job of getting my rear drums off.

Can't speak to the "Minnesota Pneumatic Tools" one. That sounds like the kind of brand name Harbor Freight would come up with for their house brand.

Yeah, I saw on the HAMB high praise for it working - the same unit I linked to above. JC Whitney has this 3arm puller for $30 but it looks waaaayy lighter duty to me, kinda cheapy compared to the heavier style, I don't know maybe it would still work:

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/tf-Browse/s-10101/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2007845/p-2007845/N-111+10201+600018051/c-10101/reviewflag-1#review

[Guest 50Plymouth]

http://www.sastool.com/aboutmpp.html

Minnesota Pneumatic would appear to be just another import. In my limited experience I'm willing to try cheap drop forged tools, just not any thing cheaply cast. I assume pullers are usually completely forged, but I have heard\read cases of cheap pullers breaking on people.

[48mirage]

This is the same one I bought. No problems and was shipped quickly. My only problems is you almost need 3 hands to get the thing on. Other than that no problems and it worked well.

[Reg Evans]

Man, wheres a local swap meet in rural land when you need one I've only been watching listings on ebay for a week or so.. didn't know decent ones went that cheap. I am in a little bit of a hurry, I had expected to find them easier to rent localy but as low as <25, wow I'd of jumped on that instantly..

If I get too impatient I may do a buy it now I guess:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BRAND-NEW-Universal-hub-puller-tool-MPP-TOOLS_W0QQitemZ220104026638QQihZ012QQcategoryZ43996QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I'll keep a looking.

I've been using one like this for a long time and it works great !

[Norm's Coupe]

The one I bought from the garage going out of business is an old Craftsman puller. Looks just like the OTC one. So..........if it ever breaks, well guess Sears will have to give me a new one.

Before I bought this one, I bought one of the pullers from JC Whitney. Never used it because I found the other one before I had a chance. However, that will work too. It is very heavy also. If I had used that one I was going to use a breaker bar for a handle. Doing that, it should work fine. I gave the one from JC Whitney to my brother in law for use on his old Fords. Don't know if he's used it or not.

By the way. That one from JC Whitney is made in the USA by a company in Ohio. At least it was back in 1995 or 96 when I bought one.

[blueskies]

Here's mine, a no name brand, bought on ebay for about $45.

Pete

[Merle Coggins]

I bought mine from my Matco distributor. He had it on his truck for so long that he finally took it off and had it stored in his basement. He made me a deal on it. I paid $130 and believe it's worth every penny. Plus I know that Matco will stand behind it if something were to happen to it.

Merle

[Guest 50Plymouth]

The one I bought from the garage going out of business is an old Craftsman puller. Looks just like the OTC one. So..........if it ever breaks' date=' well guess Sears will have to give me a new one.

Before I bought this one, I bought one of the pullers from JC Whitney. Never used it because I found the other one before I had a chance. However, that will work too. It is very heavy also. If I had used that one I was going to use a breaker bar for a handle. Doing that, it should work fine. I gave the one from JC Whitney to my brother in law for use on his old Fords. Don't know if he's used it or not.

By the way. That one from JC Whitney is made in the USA by a company in Ohio. At least it was back in 1995 or 96 when I bought one.[/quote']

Just an interesting note: the sears website and tool catalog I just looked through do not seem to carry a universal striking-type puller anymore. If they indeed don't carry such still, I wonder how they'd honor your warranty. Maybe its just hiding from me.

I will try and bid for an OTC listing, if that goes up I'll get one of the off brands several have now recommended (complete with its very own nifty plastic case..)

edit: BTW, I see blueskies marked his rear drums to keep sides straght, good idea that hadn't (and probably wouldn't have) occurred to me.

Ryan

[Norm's Coupe]

Just an interesting note: the sears website and tool catalog I just looked through do not seem to carry a universal striking-type puller anymore. If they indeed don't carry such still, I wonder how they'd honor your warranty. Maybe its just hiding from me.

I will try and bid for an OTC listing, if that goes up I'll get one of the off brands several have now recommended (complete with its very own nifty plastic case..)

Ryan

Ryan,

I don't think they carry the puller anymore either. I really don't know how Sears would handle their warranty. However, Craftsman's tools are advertised to be guaranteed for life. So.......that would be their problem in replacing it. Guess they would have to either buy one from someone else or have me do it, then give me the money for it. I wouldn't let them off the hook though.

[blueskies]

edit: BTW, I see blueskies marked his rear drums to keep sides straght, good idea that hadn't (and probably wouldn't have) occurred to me.

Ryan

I don't think it would have occured to me either... Glad the previous owner did though .

Pete

[Young Ed]

Thats why the Lugs are marked L and R

My truck had the rears backwards when I got it. PITA!

[bob_amos]

I worked for Chrysler for over 20 years and mine is an expensive, and the best,from Snap-On tools MANY years ago. It did get some real tough use over the years. I actually broke one of the ears on it and had it replaced under their lifetime warrantee. This is a very dangerous area to be working in. If you have the right, and strong enough, tool then there is nothing to be conserned with. But.... use a cheap tool and there is always the chance of injury to the car, another person or yourself. Do yourself a favour and buy a good one. That OTC one is a good one and is priced reasonably. I know professional mechanics that use that particular unit. OTC has been the official tool supplier for Chrysler for some time now. They kind of tool over from Miller tools and know what kind of use the tool will get. It should last you a lifetime.

[Norm's Coupe]

Bob amos,

Snap on tools are good tools, no argument there. However, when I first started looking for the puller in 95 or 96, I first went to the auto parts store to find one. The only one they could come up with in their catalogs was from Snap On. Even back then they wanted like $199 for the thing. So, they are a little on the expensive side for the back yard mechanic that only uses it on a limited basis. Like you said, the OTC tools are usually good tools and priced about right.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Norm use your MasterCard

price of tool 39.99

counter agent to look it up..9.99

Knowing you need-it-now markup 149.99

Seeing the look on agents face as you walk out the door...priceless..

For the unwisened shopper, there's MasterCard

[Guest 50Plymouth]

Well I'm $58 poorer now.. I grabbed one of the off-brand ones. The OTC I bid on went out of my budget, too rich for this tinkerers blood.

[Norm's Coupe]

Well I'm $58 poorer now.. I grabbed one of the off-brand ones. The OTC I bid on went out of my budget, too rich for this tinkerers blood.

It will probably last you a life time. If it doesn't, look at it like I would. A Snap On or MATCO would cost you about $150 to $200. You can buy three or 4 of the one's you bought before you hit that amount. So.......it's worth the gamble in my book. After all, how much are you going to use the thing? I haven't used mine in about 8 or 9 years now. Before that, I used it once on each side of the car.

[Normspeed]

Being a skinflint I bought one of the really inexpensive JC Whitney pullers. It lasted for one brake job, and when I needed to pull the drums a second time, one of the 3 legs broke. I had to rent a puller to finish the job. I would consider the OTC unit to be maybe 20 times better than the el cheapo that I bought.

[Guest 50Plymouth]

As Norm said, it will probably last for your use. I was fortunate to get me govt. surplus OTC puller at a reasonable price. As long as you don't go too cheap you are fine.

Just remember, first of all, DO loosen the axle nut. As you have probably read, or may already know, leave the nut on loose so it will catch that drum when it finally pops loose. If it is like mine, it will come off with a bang. Don't need it to drop to the floor or on you.

Already done, once it shows up I can exchange the wheel cylinders, bleed the system and bring some closure to a rather long disc brake conversion . Good reminder for all certainly; I had to borrow a wrench just to loosen up that bugger as I have zero big sockets or wrenches. I opted to not mess with wheel cylinder kits as autozone had $32 rear WC's.

[Norm's Coupe]

I had to borrow a wrench just to loosen up that bugger as I have zero big sockets or wrenches.

You missed a great opportunity there. Whenever I don't have the proper size wrench or socket, it give me a good excuse to buy it. That way I don't have to go pick it up from someone, then return it. Then I have the tool in the cabinet the next time I need it. When you add tools like this a little at a time, it doesn't cost much and eventually you end up with a nice collection of tools you can do any job with.

[Guest 50Plymouth]

Already replaced the rear hose, probably should do the rear lines as well. I will look into this axle vent bolt you mentioned thanks.

You're right, I'm not done with the job yet as far as additional tools go . Technically, I have a 1/2 torque wrench to tighten things up... but the tightening nut is broken now so it slips. Hmmmmm do I hear opportunity ringing? Unfortunately my wife generously picked me up a < 80ft.lb. 3/8 torque wrench only days ago. I think I may need to wait this one out a bit! My better half knows as well as I do I just spent any such "tool money" on the puller

Ryan