A Guide To Common Pullers Tools

When working on a car, you often come across special components that require special tools to remove and install. One of the most common parts you may face is pulleys and gears. A lot of them are pressed by the factory, and the only way to separate them is to use a special puller. There are quite a few pullers, some of which also double as installers, and we have selected the most common ones to show you how they work.

TIE ROD TOOL

Removing an old tie rod can be a headache, especially when the car is old and hard. This is where the tie rod removal tool comes in. Kimchi forks tend to damage parts, so those parts are already out. These tools are one-piece cast or forged U-shaped tools that lock onto a steering arm or drag linkage, with a center stud screwed in to press the joint out. They work very well and are affordable.

3-JAW PULLER

The most versatile puller, the three-jaw puller has three articulated arms with internal and external hooks. You can use them to disassemble gears, pulleys, hubs, all kinds of parts that are difficult to remove. They come in a variety of sizes and are inexpensive. There should be three sizes of 3-jaw pullers in every garage drawer. Just like the tie-rod tool, the center stud is threaded and does the hard work for you. The classic 3-jaw puller is suitable for gears, pulleys, and all other crimped parts that may need some help. Just be careful, as they tend to come loose.

HARMONIC BALANCER TOOL

Much like the three-jaw puller, this particular removal tool has three hooks that lock a special position on the balancer. These are forged steels that are not as versatile as regular 3-jaws, but when you need it, you need it.

2-JAW PULLER

Sometimes you can't fit three jaws on a part, so you'll need a 2-jaw puller. These are less commonly used but are helpful when needed. The operation is the same as that of the 3-jaw.

STEERING WHEEL PULLER

Pulling the steering wheel is a very painful thing to do, but with the right tools, it's not that bad. You may be asking, "When do I need to pull the steering wheel?" How about replacing a damaged turn signal cam or correcting the steering wheel position after replacing the steering wheel parts. Steering wheel pullers (sometimes referred to as bolt pullers) typically have four slotted holes to match the two and three hole spacing common in steering wheels. The end of the center stud has a spindle that rotates freely to keep it aligned.