The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Bearing puller

Pulled the rear axle bearings from a 57 1/2 ton just a while back. Used every trick I could think of and my 2/3 jaw puller. Had to use a bit of angle iron to make it all work. It was the worst 3 hours I have ever spent. And I just managed to save my fingers over 20 times. My helper has a new and advanced vocabulary that he dare not show off. There has to be a better puller. I have looked at the "pilot" type, seems too small. And the slide hammer type, look out fingers. Any preference from you guys? Any suggestions? What works and what don't. Thanks in advance.

I just did that a few months ago on a 55 1st rear end which I think is the same. I have a slide hammer setup I got from HF years ago that has an attachment that just provides a ledge for you to stick behind the back edge of the bearing. Worked pretty good. Destroys the bearing, but that's okay. Once you take one hit with the hammer is loosens things pretty quickly.

I am interested in what others say here too because maybe there is a way to keep the bearing intact? Why? Lets say you stick the seal in there, then put in the bearing, then decide you should have put the bearing in first. Oops

I use my slide hammer for fixing dents as well. It came in a metal box with several attachments. Nice to have.

I take it you're working with a Chevy? On the C clip style rear ends, the easy way to do it is instead of messing with a slide hammer, get a length of 1/2 ID EMT. About 6' will do. With the axles out, simply slide the EMT in from the opposite side of the bearing you want to remove, place the end against the bearing (you my need add a slight bend in the EMT to get it to line up right), the give the other end a few good smacks with a hammer. essentially, you use the EMT as a large drift punch. I won't say it will not damage the bearing, usually if I'm taking bearings out the housing, it is to replace them, so I'm not really concerned about damaging them.

Had not thought about the EMT. But it never occurred to me to go through the Diff and out the other side...but this will not be the only thing that I will be working on. Helper has a brand new to him 67 Firebird and has the bits to convert to disk in the back. I want new seals before I take all the backing plates off and that makes a good time to replace the bearings in there at the same time. So multiple projects and I like my fingers.

On the Firebird, it will depend on what rear it has in it. I'm reasonably certain that the Firebird used the same rearends that the Camaro have, the 10 and 12 bolt C clip style, which the EMT trick will work fine with. But I do know that some Pontiacs did use the "Oldsmobile" 10 bolt, which was also used in some Buicks as well. It has bolted in axle with pressed bearings. With those, you'll need a slide hammer to get the axle shafts/bearings out. The EMT trick should work the knock the seals out, though.

Thanks! Looks like I get to shop for a slide hammer. New tools, fun!

http://www.harborfreight.com/slide-hammer-and-puller-set-16pc-60327.html\

This one will take care of your current problem and have uses for body work as well. Good luck!

O'Reilly auto parts rents the puller for free W/ deposit