Pullers & Installers

When repairing a vehicle, you’ll frequently encounter parts that are a press fit, also known as an interference fit. Unfortunately you’ll also run into parts that seem to be a press fit, but are just stuck together due to corrosion. Either way, you’re going to need a puller to separate components. Check out the hundreds of pullers on the pages before you and you’ll see that no matter what you’re working on, we have the tools for the job.

An interference fit is a common method of attaching parts like bearings and gears to shafts. It’s called an interference fit because the inside diameter of the bearing race or gear is slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the shaft. When the components are pressed together, they deform slightly to create a very strong bond. Press fitting parts is an effective method of assembly that doesn’t require fasteners or adhesive.

Jaw pullers are the most common type of puller, and consist of 2 or 3 jaws, a cross bar to which the jaws are attached, and a center bolt, or forcing screw, that is threaded into the cross bar. The jaws are adjusted to fit tightly around the gear or bearing and then the center bolt is turned to apply force to the shaft until the part separates from the shaft. The center bolt may have a T-handle or a hex head which can be turned with a wrench or socket. These pullers are commonly used to remove gears from transmission shafts and gears or sprockets from camshafts and crankshafts.

The flange, or bolt type puller is another indispensable tool. Instead of jaws and a cross bar, this puller has a flange with slots through which bolts are inserted and then threaded into the part to be removed. These pullers are commonly used to remove steering wheels from the steering shaft, and harmonic balancers from the crankshaft. A variant of this puller is used with a bearing spreader, also called a bearing splitter. The spreader halves are tightened behind and grip parts where puller jaws won’t fit, and the puller bolts thread into the spreader.

Sometimes parts like splined hubs, axles and brake drums become frozen in place and need some “persuading” to come off. Our hub and axle pullers are perfect for the job. They come with jaws and/or a threaded flange that can be attached to the wheel studs, and a heavy slide hammer to provide the coaxing. These tools are available with attachments for pulling dents and other uses. We also have slide hammer pullers with blind collets for removing internal bearings and bushings, as well as special pullers for removing floating rear axle bearings, pitman arm pullers, and power steering/alternator pulley removers/installers.