Front Wheel Bearing Puller

thomas g. warner

New member
Mar 24, 1998
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I am assuming that everyone has the same problem that I am having and that
is finding a front bearing puller that works, does not destroy the bearings
and is reasonably priced.

Finally got time to check on producing a good wheel puller/installer for the
front wheel bearings. I have a friend that has a large machine shop full of
CNC machines and have talked him into doing them for me. The set will be
very close to the Winterfeldt set if any of you have seen it. I have found
a source for the OTC 927 bearing puller for $75 + postage (maybe cheaper in
quantities of 10 or more), and already have ordered one and it is nice. This
is a very rugged unit and can be used to pull harmonic balancers etc also.
The rest of the tool set consisting of three pieces, split collar, small
insert for pulling the bearing and another tapped insert for reinstalling
the bearing. From our preliminary discussions he can make the three pieces
for about $100 to include black coating to prevent rust. That would put the
total bearing removal tool at less than $200 including postage.

If I can get 9 others to buy I will place an order with him for 10 units.
Anyone still interested?

Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
 
Does anyone have the information on the Thoma BEaring puller and some
pictures. What is the cost? does it use a puller as heavy as the OTC 927?

>
>> The set will be
>> very close to the Winterfeldt set if any of you have seen it.
>
>I'd rather compare to the Ken Thoma set - I know it to be the best. I've
>compared the set sold at International (made by someone in Minnesota or
>Canada, I believe), and it doesn't stack up.
>Put me down as a prospect if it works.
>Lanier
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
 
Thanks for the information. I am an engineer and I have talked to
Winterfeldt. He uses 4140 steel and a meturallgist that I have talked to
says that is more than strong enough for what we are doing. The Winterfeldt
tool is a very strong tool but not many people are going to pay the $550 for
it. How many own the $500 Thomas tool which I have heard is not as strong as
the Winterfeldt tool. The Winterfeldt tool consists of the OTC 927 puller(7
1/2 tons of force), a split ring and 2 adapters. It is an excellent design.
I want one to not only use on the coach here but to take on the road. If
for some reason the bearings need to be serviced on the road I will have the
tool with me.

I need to order at least 10 of them to make the price reasonable and below $200.

>
>>
>> Does anyone have the information on the Thoma BEaring puller and some
>> pictures. What is the cost? does it use a puller as heavy as the OTC 927?
>>
>
>Cost $500 - don't know anything about the specs - not into engineering - but
>others have tried to duplicate using weaker material & they broke; they tried
>to solve problem by increasing thickness of flange, but won't fit under
>bearing. Nothing professional about this opinion, just visual observations &
>hearsay.
>The proof is in the pudding.. or the pulling..
>Lanier
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
 
I went to the web site http://www.california.com/~eagle/, ,and looked at the
Thoma tool and have to tell you I was not impressed. It is to complicated
(2 many pieces) and entirely hand made and welded together. I am not trying
to knock it by any means. It works. I like something simple and one that I
can take with me and use, and that is very strong. The Winterfeldt tool in
my opinion is much superior to the Thoma tool in that respect. Winterfeldt
was smart in using the OTC 927 puller as the center of his bearing puller,
it is rugged.

If you have a copy of the GMC motorhome News, June 1996 number 8, pages 8-11
features an article on front bearing removal and uses the Winterfeldt tool.
The OTC puller that it uses exerts up to 7 1/2 tons of force far exceeding
anything you will ever need and far heavier than the Thoma tool. In
addition it can be used to remove the harmonic balancers and other things.

The winterfeldt tool is simple and anyone can use it the first time. No
color coded parts, no trying to figure out how to set it up. I don not have
a Winterfeldt tool so can not copy it exactly. I do have a unit almost
exactly like it that a club member machined and it is very nice. The
difference is that I will have all of the parts black coated to prevent rust.

I am going to have one made for me, I am not trying to sell them to make
money (they will be sold at my cost), just offering to have one made for
other owners of the GMC at a cost that absolutely cannot be beat. You will
be getting a $550 puller for under $200. Any number less than 10 units will
cost me $375 for the split ring and two adapters and than $75 for the OTC
puller. Your choice.

If anyone wants a set I have to make a decision soon. Send me your name and
a firm committment. This unit is mandatory if you service you own wheel
bearings.



>
>> The set will be
>> very close to the Winterfeldt set if any of you have seen it.
>
>I'd rather compare to the Ken Thoma set - I know it to be the best. I've
>compared the set sold at International (made by someone in Minnesota or
>Canada, I believe), and it doesn't stack up.
>Put me down as a prospect if it works.
>Lanier
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
 
Emory I visited the site and thats where I compared the information to the
puller I plan to build. thanks for the extensive pictures and narrative.
Is that your puller? I would like somones input that has used a Thoma set.

>

>
>pictures >>
>
>An excellent description of the Thoma bearing puller is on
>http://www.california.com/~eagle/
>
>Look under "Upgrades" then under "Wheel Bearing Service"
>
>There are many, many more pieces of information about GMCs, maintenance and
>upgrades on this site. If you have not visited it do so now.
>
>Emery Stora
>77 Kingsley
>Santa Fe, NM
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
 
I purchased Thoma's bearing puller several years ago. I have used it on my coach
& other members' coaches many times. It works perfectly. No problems.

> Emory I visited the site and thats where I compared the information to the
> puller I plan to build. thanks for the extensive pictures and narrative.
> Is that your puller? I would like somones input that has used a Thoma set.
>
 
Frank I think I can get the complete puller for under $200, $75 plus postage
for the OTC 927 puller and less than $120 for the machining of the rest.

>Thomas. Is the price with puller $275.00?.........Frank
>
>
>>Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 08:40:22 -0500 (EST)
>>To: gmcmotorhome
>>From: "Thomas G. Warner"
>>Subject: Re: GMC: Front Wheel Bearing Puller
>>Reply-To: gmcmotorhome
>>
>>I went to the web site http://www.california.com/~eagle/, ,and looked
>at the
>>Thoma tool and have to tell you I was not impressed. It is to
>complicated
>>(2 many pieces) and entirely hand made and welded together. I am not
>trying
>>to knock it by any means. It works. I like something simple and one
>that I
>>can take with me and use, and that is very strong. The Winterfeldt
>tool in
>>my opinion is much superior to the Thoma tool in that respect.
>Winterfeldt
>>was smart in using the OTC 927 puller as the center of his bearing
>puller,
>>it is rugged.
>>
>>If you have a copy of the GMC motorhome News, June 1996 number 8, pages
>8-11
>>features an article on front bearing removal and uses the Winterfeldt
>tool.
>>The OTC puller that it uses exerts up to 7 1/2 tons of force far
>exceeding
>>anything you will ever need and far heavier than the Thoma tool. In
>>addition it can be used to remove the harmonic balancers and other
>things.
>>
>>The winterfeldt tool is simple and anyone can use it the first time. No
>>color coded parts, no trying to figure out how to set it up. I don not
>have
>>a Winterfeldt tool so can not copy it exactly. I do have a unit almost
>>exactly like it that a club member machined and it is very nice. The
>>difference is that I will have all of the parts black coated to prevent
>rust.
>>
>>I am going to have one made for me, I am not trying to sell them to
>make
>>money (they will be sold at my cost), just offering to have one made
>for
>>other owners of the GMC at a cost that absolutely cannot be beat. You
>will
>>be getting a $550 puller for under $200. Any number less than 10 units
>will
>>cost me $375 for the split ring and two adapters and than $75 for the
>OTC
>>puller. Your choice.
>>
>>If anyone wants a set I have to make a decision soon. Send me your name
>and
>>a firm committment. This unit is mandatory if you service you own wheel
>>bearings.
>>
>>
>>

>>>
>>>> The set will be
>>>> very close to the Winterfeldt set if any of you have seen it.
>>>
>>>I'd rather compare to the Ken Thoma set - I know it to be the best.
>I've
>>>compared the set sold at International (made by someone in Minnesota
>or
>>>Canada, I believe), and it doesn't stack up.
>>>Put me down as a prospect if it works.
>>>Lanier
>>>
>>>
>>Tom & Marg Warner
>>Vernon Center NY
>>1976 palmbeach
>>
>>
>
>
>______________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
 
Thomas,
This is to confirm a previous e-mail to your personal e-mail address,
for 1 set of wheel bearing tools at $200 or less.
Thanks
Ken & Virginia Fitzgerald
1975 Glenbrook OKLA

>
> I am assuming that everyone has the same problem that I am having and that
> is finding a front bearing puller that works, does not destroy the bearings
> and is reasonably priced.
>
> Finally got time to check on producing a good wheel puller/installer for the
> front wheel bearings. I have a friend that has a large machine shop full of
> CNC machines and have talked him into doing them for me. The set will be
> very close to the Winterfeldt set if any of you have seen it. I have found
> a source for the OTC 927 bearing puller for $75 + postage (maybe cheaper in
> quantities of 10 or more), and already have ordered one and it is nice. This
> is a very rugged unit and can be used to pull harmonic balancers etc also.
> The rest of the tool set consisting of three pieces, split collar, small
> insert for pulling the bearing and another tapped insert for reinstalling
> the bearing. From our preliminary discussions he can make the three pieces
> for about $100 to include black coating to prevent rust. That would put the
> total bearing removal tool at less than $200 including postage.
>
> If I can get 9 others to buy I will place an order with him for 10 units.
> Anyone still interested?
>
> Tom & Marg Warner
> Vernon Center NY
> 1976 palmbeach
 
Ditto, Tom. My re-confirm of earlier posting to your personal address. Let
me know if you need a deposit.

TIA for your efforts.

Chuck
77 Kingsley
North Idaho

- -----Original Message-----
From: Ken & Virginia Fitzgerald
To: gmcmotorhome
Date: Saturday, January 30, 1999 8:58 AM
Subject: Re: GMC: Front Wheel Bearing Puller

>Thomas,
>This is to confirm a previous e-mail to your personal e-mail address,
>for 1 set of wheel bearing tools at $200 or less.
>Thanks
>Ken & Virginia Fitzgerald
>1975 Glenbrook OKLA
>

>>
>> I am assuming that everyone has the same problem that I am having and
that
>> is finding a front bearing puller that works, does not destroy the
bearings
>> and is reasonably priced.
>>
>> Finally got time to check on producing a good wheel puller/installer for
the
>> front wheel bearings. I have a friend that has a large machine shop full
of
>> CNC machines and have talked him into doing them for me. The set will be
>> very close to the Winterfeldt set if any of you have seen it. I have
found
>> a source for the OTC 927 bearing puller for $75 + postage (maybe cheaper
in
>> quantities of 10 or more), and already have ordered one and it is nice.
This
>> is a very rugged unit and can be used to pull harmonic balancers etc
also.
>> The rest of the tool set consisting of three pieces, split collar, small
>> insert for pulling the bearing and another tapped insert for reinstalling
>> the bearing. From our preliminary discussions he can make the three
pieces
>> for about $100 to include black coating to prevent rust. That would put
the
>> total bearing removal tool at less than $200 including postage.
>>
>> If I can get 9 others to buy I will place an order with him for 10 units.
>> Anyone still interested?
>>
>> Tom & Marg Warner
>> Vernon Center NY
>> 1976 palmbeach
>
 
Thomas,
If the price is under $200, count me in for a setup. E-mail me direct
when you finalize the details.

J.R. Wright

>
> Frank I think I can get the complete puller for under $200, $75 plus postage
> for the OTC 927 puller and less than $120 for the machining of the rest.
>

> >Thomas. Is the price with puller $275.00?.........Frank
> >
> >
> >>Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 08:40:22 -0500 (EST)
> >>To: gmcmotorhome
> >>From: "Thomas G. Warner"
> >>Subject: Re: GMC: Front Wheel Bearing Puller
> >>Reply-To: gmcmotorhome
> >>
> >>I went to the web site http://www.california.com/~eagle/, ,and looked
> >at the
> >>Thoma tool and have to tell you I was not impressed. It is to
> >complicated
> >>(2 many pieces) and entirely hand made and welded together. I am not
> >trying
> >>to knock it by any means. It works. I like something simple and one
> >that I
> >>can take with me and use, and that is very strong. The Winterfeldt
> >tool in
> >>my opinion is much superior to the Thoma tool in that respect.
> >Winterfeldt
> >>was smart in using the OTC 927 puller as the center of his bearing
> >puller,
> >>it is rugged.
> >>
> >>If you have a copy of the GMC motorhome News, June 1996 number 8, pages
> >8-11
> >>features an article on front bearing removal and uses the Winterfeldt
> >tool.
> >>The OTC puller that it uses exerts up to 7 1/2 tons of force far
> >exceeding
> >>anything you will ever need and far heavier than the Thoma tool. In
> >>addition it can be used to remove the harmonic balancers and other
> >things.
> >>
> >>The winterfeldt tool is simple and anyone can use it the first time. No
> >>color coded parts, no trying to figure out how to set it up. I don not
> >have
> >>a Winterfeldt tool so can not copy it exactly. I do have a unit almost
> >>exactly like it that a club member machined and it is very nice. The
> >>difference is that I will have all of the parts black coated to prevent
> >rust.
> >>
> >>I am going to have one made for me, I am not trying to sell them to
> >make
> >>money (they will be sold at my cost), just offering to have one made
> >for
> >>other owners of the GMC at a cost that absolutely cannot be beat. You
> >will
> >>be getting a $550 puller for under $200. Any number less than 10 units
> >will
> >>cost me $375 for the split ring and two adapters and than $75 for the
> >OTC
> >>puller. Your choice.
> >>
> >>If anyone wants a set I have to make a decision soon. Send me your name
> >and
> >>a firm committment. This unit is mandatory if you service you own wheel
> >>bearings.
> >>
> >>
> >>

> >>>
> >>>> The set will be
> >>>> very close to the Winterfeldt set if any of you have seen it.
> >>>
> >>>I'd rather compare to the Ken Thoma set - I know it to be the best.
> >I've
> >>>compared the set sold at International (made by someone in Minnesota
> >or
> >>>Canada, I believe), and it doesn't stack up.
> >>>Put me down as a prospect if it works.
> >>>Lanier
> >>>
> >>>
> >>Tom & Marg Warner
> >>Vernon Center NY
> >>1976 palmbeach
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >______________________________________________________
> >Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
> >
> >
> Tom & Marg Warner
> Vernon Center NY
> 1976 palmbeach