Crankshaft Puller

[SHOyork]

I am trying to find a decent puller for my crankshaft pulley removal, but there are too many choices, and too many different price variations, that I don't want to make a time/money wasting choice. Does anyone have any insight into what they are using, or what puller they think is good. Thanks...

 

[rbruso]

I'm using a generic two bolt puller.

I have two long and two shorter bolts that match the thread pitch of the tapped holes in the pulley, and use two sets of washers to make up the size difference between their heads and the slots in my puller.

In a pinch you can use two long bolts from the timing covers.

Basically, I use the long bolts to pull far enough to get the short bolts in for the final pull. It's still a tight fit, but it's worked well for me.

edit: Something like this would work if you just use the central (inline) slots:

 

[MrRed]

You can rent tools from some auto parts stores as well. Usually a good option for something you may only need once

 

[JRA2000TL]

I rented the tool pictured in rbruso's post. It works fine. Just please use common sense and don't do stupid things like I did. The correct use is to put the nose cone on that long threaded rod, place it through the ducks foot and rest the nose cone ON the crank bolt; use the correct smaller bolts to screw into each side of the pulley. You can then pull it off by turning the long rod.

Do NOT do NOT do NOT, thread the long rod into the crank snout; you will damage the threads. I'm sure this is common sense, but I screwed this up because I didn't know how to properly use the tool. Thankfully I was able to repair the threads in the crank.

 

[Rubix]

I bought one cheap from Sears, might as well ad to the tool inventory.

 

[SHOtimer]

rest the nose cone ON the crank bolt; use the correct smaller bolts to screw into each side of the pulley.

Actually, you'll want to make sure the bolt is removed first, before you start pulling off the pulley.

I bought one cheap from Sears, might as well ad to the tool inventory.

-Ditto. I bought the Craftsman set, works great. Had it 8 years now....and has come in handy working on other vehicles.

Doug

 

[JRA2000TL]

Actually, you'll want to make sure the bolt is removed first, before you start pulling off the pulley.
Doug

Yeah, guess I left that important part out; bolt has to be loosened and just pretty much stuck back in the snout for the cone to rest on as you remove the pulley itself.

 

[Off Road SHO]

Actually both ways are correct if you back out the crank bolt a bit. Apply the puller until the pulley is pulled out to the the bolt. Then remove the puller, bolt and the pulley should come off by hand. The nice thing about leaving the bolt in and pressing against it instead of the crank, is that you are absolutely, positively not going to damage the crank OR the inside of the pulley. Both ways work fine though.

Tom

 

[Caish]

One thing to remember, that with their very fine threads never use an impact wrench on the puller.
I have a very old snap-on puller with just what ever bolts I can find that fit the application.

 

[itwonder]

It does not take much pulling to get the SHO pulley off. An inexpensive one from HF or wherever is fine - or an Autozone free rental as others have suggested.

 

[Irish Pride]

Yeah, guess I left that important part out; bolt has to be loosened and just pretty much stuck back in the snout for the cone to rest on as you remove the pulley itself.

Actually both ways are correct if you back out the crank bolt a bit. Apply the puller until the pulley is pulled out to the the bolt. Then remove the puller, bolt and the pulley should come off by hand. The nice thing about leaving the bolt in and pressing against it instead of the crank, is that you are absolutely, positively not going to damage the crank OR the inside of the pulley. Both ways work fine though.

Tom

I just have an Autozone puller kit that i never brought back and then i went to Home Depot and got some shorter bolts so i can take it off in one attempt.

The kit i have has a pivot tip that goes on the end of the puller bolt and that tip rests in the cone tip of the crankshaft. It allows the puller bolt to spin freely without ever entering the crankshaft.

What you want is not just a pulley puller, but a "Harmonic Balancer Puller".