Looking for a General Purpose Puller Tool
 

I’m trying to prepare for future repairs, and I’m looking for a general purpose puller tool. Nothing needs fixed at the moment, but it would be great to have the proper tool on hand when I eventually need it. I have something similar to this:

Performance Tool W137P 6-Inch 3-Jaw Gear Puller with Reversible Design for Vehicle Maintenance and Repair, Drop-Forged Steel, Chrome Plating https://www.amazon.com/DURATECH-Remo...1zcF9hdGY&th=1

That tool didn’t work on rear brake removal; so, I purchased a heavy duty drum puller for those a while back.

I also purchased wheel bearing race removal and installation tools from Bratton’s a while back.

I’m thinking about purchasing something like this:

CWTRLPC 21 in1 Bearing Puller Kit, Bearing Removal Tool, Bearing Separator Set, Bearing Disassembly Gear Puller w/ 3-jaw Hooks and 6 Sizes Red Steel Inner Hole Extractor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BYJX8T17...v_ov_lig_dp_it

Or

Orion Motor Tech Bearing Puller Set, 5 Ton Capacity Bearing Separator, Pinion Wheel Bearing Removal Kit with 2" and 3" Jaws, Wheel Hub Axle Puller Set, Heavy Duty Bearing Splitter Tool Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2DF6LXT...v_ov_lig_dp_it

At some point, I will probably need a puller to remove the rear bearing in my Tremec T170 transmission. (It doesn’t leak now, but I drive the car a lot; so, eventual replacement will likely be necessary somewhere down the road.)

For what other parts would I likely need a puller tool on a Model A?

Can anyone suggest a general purpose puller that works well on Model A applications?


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Re: Looking for a General Purpose Puller Tool
 

Shew - while an attractive thought, I'm not sure that a "general purpose" puller tool for Model As really exists. You already have discovered that a special puller is necessary for the rear hubs (although you might be able to make a bearing puller set such as the Orion Motor Tech one you show work), and as many different pullers as I have I finally had to make a custom one to pull a steering wheel off the column. I've accumulated over the years:

• An assortment of three-jaw pullers of various diameters and arm lengths (such as this set from Horror Freight)

• An assortment of two-jaw pullers (again, example here from Horrible Freight)

• Bearing separators such as the Orion set you show above

• Slide hammers and internal bearing/race pullers (this is good for pulling a bearing from a blind hole, such as the pilot bearing from a flywheel).

Another really handy gadget I have is a special battery cable puller. It is amazing how easy that makes a routine task, and having a small two-jaw puller comes in handy for other things as well.

Keep in mind that if you are trying to remove a bearing or gear from a hollow shaft, you need to push against something. That may mean that you have to improvise some sort of flat surface that you can set across the opening to allow the center shaft to push against. I'm fortunate to have a small hobby lathe and can turn an adapter pretty quick from round stock, but there are other options such as washers glued together and stacked up.

And there is technique, too. Don't be afraid to put tension on your puller and then give the center shaft a hard rap with a hammer to break loose a stuck bearing, similar to what you do to break the rear hub loose from the tapered axle. On these 90-year old cars, all sorts of sticky gooey gremlins can reside underneath things.

Most seals press in with much less resistance than bearings, so you can probably get away with chipping away at them with hammer and chisel and then prying them out. It is difficult to get a good purchase on most seals with a puller, I've found.

Re: Looking for a General Purpose Puller Tool
 

There is not really a generic puller for the "A" and one could even get away without the rear hub pullers.

If one loosens the rear axle nuts a full turn and drive a little while making a few slow circles in both directions in front of your house to start working them loose. Then loosen them another turn and do the same. After that, they should be ready to come off. The price of the rear hub puller is cheap and is a tool that every "A" owner should own.

Regards
Bill

Re: Looking for a General Purpose Puller Tool
 

I like the gear pullers that can be used as either a 2 jaw or a 3 jaw.