Warner Bearing Puller WARNING!

[hemogoblin]

Hi All,
Well I finally got to do my front wheel bearings today. I used the Tom
Warner Bearing tool that I received last September. I have a Warning to all
who are carrying one with you or have it ready to use. Make Sure you use it
BEFORE YOU NEED TO DEPEND UPON IT, chances are it will not work unless you
can enlist at least two other people to help, and have a large wrench and
cheater bar supply. The Warner split rings hold great they fit fine, and
seem to be as strong as he says. His choice of the OTC as a Puller SUCKS.
The problem is, one person cannot generate the force needed to pull the
bearings, It doesn't matter if the OTC can withstand 10 Tons, one person
cannot generate it.
I believe Tom misrepresented himself during the initial discussions in '98
&'99 about this tool, he did not use it before he reported back telling us
how great it was. Words like " you can pull the tightest bearing" and " you
must have it to service wheel bearings" added to the hype. Soon after the
first 15, or 50 were produced he knew the deficiencies and modified it to
use a Hydraulic Jack.( although no one knows the correct number mine is #38
and is the small diameter version).
I feel that I have been RIPPED OFF. I feel that the 200 or so who have
bought one and those who continue to, have done so because of the integrity
that this forums members have displayed and the lenthy discussions of its
value. I urge you to TRY and use the tool at home just to check it out.
As delivered, and designed, without the ability to use a hydraulic jack the
tool is not usable as described.
If I had purchased it with a credit card , I would be protesting the
charge. It just doesn't work as described!
By the way, I used it correctly, just as Wes described. I have experience
with GMC, Toronado,and Eldorado front ends both personally and
professionally. Normally I have used a press or Machine Shop when servicing
the bearings which usually destroys them.
Mark '77 Palm Beach LINY

 

[antnip]

- ----- Original Message -----
From: hemogoblin
To:
Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2000 9:40 PM
Subject: GMC: Warner Bearing Puller WARNING!

> Hi All,
> Well I finally got to do my front wheel bearings today. I used the Tom
> Warner Bearing tool that I received last September. I have a Warning to
all
> who are carrying one with you or have it ready to use. Make Sure you use
it
> BEFORE YOU NEED TO DEPEND UPON IT, chances are it will not work unless you
> can enlist at least two other people to help, and have a large wrench and
> cheater bar supply. The Warner split rings hold great they fit fine, and
> seem to be as strong as he says. His choice of the OTC as a Puller SUCKS.
> The problem is, one person cannot generate the force needed to pull the
> bearings, It doesn't matter if the OTC can withstand 10 Tons, one person
> cannot generate it.

I just don't get this. I have not used my puller yet, so I can't comment on
personal experience, but it seems odd how there are some reports such as
this one, and others stating all worked fine and the puller worked well.
Anybody have any clue as to why there is this disparity? I had my bearings
serviced regularly, so they were never neglected. Can I anticipate a
challenge or a nightmare? At this point, I am reluctant to try! What is the
consensus on this? Maybe it would be a good poll for the GMC mart!

Tony Bad

 

[emerystora]

> His choice of the OTC as a Puller SUCKS.
>The problem is, one person cannot generate the force needed to pull the
>bearings, It doesn't matter if the OTC can withstand 10 Tons, one person
>cannot generate it.
>I believe Tom misrepresented himself during the initial discussions in '98
>&'99 about this tool, he did not use it before he reported back telling us
>how great it was.

Mark - did you have problem with both sides? I have used the tools
and did not have the problems that you report. I have also seen
others use them without problems. I believe that someone also said
that Jim Bounds uses this same manual puller regularly. Perhaps Jim
might comment?

The OTC puller that Tom recommended is the same one that has been
used for several years with the Winterfelt bearing puller set and no
one seems to have reported the problems that you have encountered.
It is also quite similar to the puller that comes with the Thoma
bearing puller set and, in fact, looks to be somewhat more heavy
duty. I know that a lot of people have used the Thoma tool for many
years without using any hydraulic assistance as well.

You say that you used it just as Wes Goughlin described. Wes also
did not report any problems using the puller in his description.

It would appear that your situation is for some reason somewhat
unique. Perhaps your bearing sets were just so much tighter to cause
you such a problem. When you got them off did you check the inside
diameter of the bearings where they press onto the shaft as well as
your shaft diameter? I'm sure that we'd all be interested to see
what tolerances you have.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Santa Fe, NM

 

[henry davis]

> When will you be here I need the money to pay for
>the newest batch of 68 pullers I just got today. I had to pay $8160 up front
>for them and if I am lucky I will break even when they are all sold. Boy am
>I ever a businessman? Selling a product for $220 including shipping that
>others are selling for over $600.Am I missing something?????

Tom,

as you may recall I suggested that you add a small percentage to your price
when we were first discussing the first 20 units. Remember when you were
sweating bullets over whether or not you could sell the minimum number of
units to make the price? How many times have you issued a "last buy" call?

Part of the reason why I believe that you ( and anybody else doing things
for the GMC) should at least get a modest return on your effort is to
accommodate situations like this (both Mark and the sizable up front costs
that you foot).

If you only have two complaints in 250 pullers you're doing very well. And
yes, my puller has worked fine for me (well one of the two has - I haven't
used the other one yet).

I'm looking forward to the accessories. Do yourself a favor - charge a bit
more for them so that you put a few dimes in your pocket.

Henry

 

[travism]

> I feel that I have been RIPPED OFF. I feel that the 200 or so who have
> bought one and those who continue to, have done so because of the
integrity
> that this forums members have displayed and the lenthy discussions of its
> value. I urge you to TRY and use the tool at home just to check it out.
> As delivered, and designed, without the ability to use a hydraulic jack
the
> tool is not usable as described.
> If I had purchased it with a credit card , I would be protesting the
> charge. It just doesn't work as described!

Well, Mark, I've been planning to buy one for a while in anticipation of
getting a GMC. I was worried that Tom would sell out of them before I got
one and then have better sense than to make any more for zero profit.

I finally got my GMC last month, and need to go ahead with it.

I will give you every penny of your money back for this one, providing you
haven't damaged it. I don't want it if you pitched a hissy and marked it,
but if it is only that you weren't able to turn it, I'll take it off your
hands. I would be proud to have a small diameter version; it will take less
storage space in the coach.

Please describe its present condition accurately to me if you are interested
in getting healed from being "ripped off..."

Travis

 

[blank]

IMO, this is way too strong a statement. Tom provided a tool that probably
exceeds what GM specified for the bearing R&R process. The only pieces that
he had manufactured were the collet and push/pull plates, and these appear
well made. Perhaps some have oversold the simplicity of the process, but
IME, the difficulty can vary greatly. I did my own front bearings with a
borrowed set of Thoma tools and had no problems. However, when we took the
drivers side hub assembly from Dad's coach to Zeb Frady's, he almost
couldn't get the bearings off the hub with a set of Thoma tools. He finally
pulled a "monster" impact wrench out of a toolbox bottom drawer and
connected it upstream of the regulator on his shop air system and even it
struggled.

Let's all remain calm folks and work thru these issues together. It's
counterproductive when we start throwing accusations back and forth. We're
all in this together as the big General sure ain't gonna' give us any help.

Patrick

> I feel that I have been RIPPED OFF.

 

[bill e satterfield]

Sounds like pretty strong and serious accusations to me. Maybe thats
only your opinion and not neccesarily the opinons of the many who have
used this tool successfully. I personally have used tool with OTC
puller on both of my GMC's and on a friends GMC . Guess I was just
lucky. I know it does help if you read and understand the directions.
Thanks Tom for making this tool available to so many of us at an
affordable price. Thats my opinion.
Bill

On Tue, 18 Jul 2000 21:40:29 -0400 "hemogoblin"
writes:
> Hi All,
> Well I finally got to do my front wheel bearings today. I used the
> Tom
> Warner Bearing tool that I received last September. I have a Warning
> to all
> who are carrying one with you or have it ready to use. Make Sure you
> use it
> BEFORE YOU NEED TO DEPEND UPON IT, chances are it will not work
> unless you
> can enlist at least two other people to help, and have a large
> wrench and
> cheater bar supply. The Warner split rings hold great they fit
> fine, and
> seem to be as strong as he says. His choice of the OTC as a Puller
> SUCKS.
> The problem is, one person cannot generate the force needed to pull
> the
> bearings, It doesn't matter if the OTC can withstand 10 Tons, one
> person
> cannot generate it.
> I believe Tom misrepresented himself during the initial discussions
> in '98
> &'99 about this tool, he did not use it before he reported back
> telling us
> how great it was. Words like " you can pull the tightest bearing"
> and " you
> must have it to service wheel bearings" added to the hype. Soon
> after the
> first 15, or 50 were produced he knew the deficiencies and modified
> it to
> use a Hydraulic Jack.( although no one knows the correct number
> mine is #38
> and is the small diameter version).
> I feel that I have been RIPPED OFF. I feel that the 200 or so who
> have
> bought one and those who continue to, have done so because of the
> integrity
> that this forums members have displayed and the lenthy discussions
> of its
> value. I urge you to TRY and use the tool at home just to check it
> out.
> As delivered, and designed, without the ability to use a hydraulic
> jack the
> tool is not usable as described.
> If I had purchased it with a credit card , I would be protesting
> the
> charge. It just doesn't work as described!
> By the way, I used it correctly, just as Wes described. I have
> experience
> with GMC, Toronado,and Eldorado front ends both personally and
> professionally. Normally I have used a press or Machine Shop when
> servicing
> the bearings which usually destroys them.
> Mark '77 Palm Beach LINY
>

 

[antnip]

After reading all of these replies, I feel much better!

I am guessing, but perhaps Mark's comments followed a frustrating day of
repair work. I know that many times working on our coach, with rusted parts,
sticking bolts and such, I have felt like going off in search of a can of
gas and a book of matches! Perhaps next time it would be better to calm down
a bit before such a rant!

Just my feelings, Tony

- ----- Original Message -----
From: bill e satterfield
To:
Cc:
Sent: Wednesday, July 19, 2000 11:36 AM
Subject: Re: GMC: Warner Bearing Puller WARNING!

> Sounds like pretty strong and serious accusations to me. Maybe thats
> only your opinion and not neccesarily the opinons of the many who have
> used this tool successfully. I personally have used tool with OTC
> puller on both of my GMC's and on a friends GMC . Guess I was just
> lucky. I know it does help if you read and understand the directions.
> Thanks Tom for making this tool available to so many of us at an
> affordable price. Thats my opinion.
> Bill
>
> On Tue, 18 Jul 2000 21:40:29 -0400 "hemogoblin"

> > Hi All,
> > Well I finally got to do my front wheel bearings today. I used the
> > Tom
> > Warner Bearing tool that I received last September. I have a Warning
> > to all
> > who are carrying one with you or have it ready to use. Make Sure you
> > use it
> > BEFORE YOU NEED TO DEPEND UPON IT, chances are it will not work
> > unless you
> > can enlist at least two other people to help, and have a large
> > wrench and
> > cheater bar supply. The Warner split rings hold great they fit
> > fine, and
> > seem to be as strong as he says. His choice of the OTC as a Puller
> > SUCKS.
> > The problem is, one person cannot generate the force needed to pull
> > the
> > bearings, It doesn't matter if the OTC can withstand 10 Tons, one
> > person
> > cannot generate it.
> > I believe Tom misrepresented himself during the initial discussions
> > in '98
> > &'99 about this tool, he did not use it before he reported back
> > telling us
> > how great it was. Words like " you can pull the tightest bearing"
> > and " you
> > must have it to service wheel bearings" added to the hype. Soon
> > after the
> > first 15, or 50 were produced he knew the deficiencies and modified
> > it to
> > use a Hydraulic Jack.( although no one knows the correct number
> > mine is #38
> > and is the small diameter version).
> > I feel that I have been RIPPED OFF. I feel that the 200 or so who
> > have
> > bought one and those who continue to, have done so because of the
> > integrity
> > that this forums members have displayed and the lenthy discussions
> > of its
> > value. I urge you to TRY and use the tool at home just to check it
> > out.
> > As delivered, and designed, without the ability to use a hydraulic
> > jack the
> > tool is not usable as described.
> > If I had purchased it with a credit card , I would be protesting
> > the
> > charge. It just doesn't work as described!
> > By the way, I used it correctly, just as Wes described. I have
> > experience
> > with GMC, Toronado,and Eldorado front ends both personally and
> > professionally. Normally I have used a press or Machine Shop when
> > servicing
> > the bearings which usually destroys them.
> > Mark '77 Palm Beach LINY
> >
>

 

[dave1]

>Well I finally got to do my front wheel bearings today. I used the Tom
>Warner Bearing tool that I received last September.... chances are
>it will not work unless you
>can enlist at least two other people to help, and have a large wrench and
>cheater bar supply.

I used the Warner tool to do mine this spring. I agree, some bearings are=20
tough to get off. But they are doable. Yes, I used a good wrench and a=20
pipe. But I was able to do them myself. One thing that helps a lot is to=20
lay the hub, studs down, into the face of a wheel that is lying on the=20
ground. You can kneel on the tire and get good leverage on the wrench.

>I feel that I have been RIPPED OFF. I feel that the 200 or so who have
>bought one and those who continue to, have done so because of the integrity
>that this forums members have displayed and the lenthy discussions of its
>value. I urge you to TRY and use the tool at home just to check it out.
>As delivered, and designed, without the ability to use a hydraulic jack the
>tool is not usable as described.

I disagree. The tool is quite usable as designed. Sure, it can be made=20
easier to use if you are willing to spend extra for a hydraulic jack. But=20
I, for one, don't mind sweating a little to save a few bucks. After all,=20
the easiest solution is to just throw money at it and have someone else do=
=20
the bearing work. But for me, the pleasure is in the doing. I appreciate=20
Toms efforts and am glad to have the resources to do my bearings as needed,=
=20
even if it takes a bit of effort to get them off.

> If I had purchased it with a credit card , I would be protesting the
>charge. It just doesn't work as described!

I suspect you could find more than a few takers here if you where willing=20
to sell the tool.

>By the way, I used it correctly, just as Wes described. I have experience
>with GMC, Toronado,and Eldorado front ends both personally and
>professionally.

Did you look carefully at the bearings/hubs/knuckles? I have heard of=20
people having problems where the bearing race was spin welded to the mating=
=20
surface on the hub or knuckle. I have never seen this but I can see where=20
that would make it exceptionally difficult to get the bearings separated.

>Normally I have used a press or Machine Shop when servicing
>the bearings which usually destroys them.

And that is why Toms tool is such a good deal. The $200 tool costs a lot=20
less than a press and it doesn't destroy the bearings.

Dave
Ann Arbor, MI.
73 Sequoia (26'/455/HEI/TBI/160=B0/3.42/Q55G/100A)

 

[dave mumert]

Hi Tom

Thank you Tom for your efforts in making the bearing puller tool available
to all of us for such a reasonable price. I too think that you should be
adding a small amount to cover any warranty or 'good will' refunds that may
be necessary. In addition you have probably used a great amount of your
time and your gas to run around and get this all set-up. I for one greatly
appreciate your contribution to the GMC community and would not be offended
if you added these costs to the price of the puller.... especially since I
already have mine ;-)

I am actually looking forward to replacing my wheel bearings and will be
rebuilding the brakes at the same time. My coach has 80 mm front calipers
so they are fairly new but I have not yet pulled a drum to see how the rear
brakes look.

> Turned out that the part number given in the GMC
> International interchange book did not cross over correctly. Back to the
> parts store for the right ones.

Could you please let us know the correct number?

Dave Mumert

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "tom warner"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, July 19, 2000 10:06 AM
Subject: Re: GMC: Warner Bearing Puller WARNING!

> I can tell you how frustrating working on a 25 year old coach can be. But
is
> sure helps to have all of the knowledge available on this net when one
gets
> in a bind. And eventually everything is fixed and working well and a more
> enjoyable coach you will never find to drive and travel in.
>
> For the last 2 days I have been working on the rear brakes of my coach.
> Started by just replacing a leaking wheel cylinder on the drivers side mid
> axel. Decided to replace the 15/16" cylinder with a 1 1/16" one since I
> wanted more braking on that axel. Broke off the fitting to the wheel
> cylinder first(it was rusted to the line), than proceeded to make a new
line
> for that one. Started to install the new wheel cylinder but it was to
large
> and would not fit. Turned out that the part number given in the GMC
> International interchange book did not cross over correctly. Back to the
> parts store for the right ones. Decided to take a look at the other wheels
> and replace the wheel cylinders on those to, and ended up having to
replace
> all of the brake lines on those also.
>
> Bottom line a 1 hour job is still on going. But I just love to work on it
so
> who cares.
>
> Now concering the bearing puller one more time. If you read the procedure
> for removing the front wheel bearings and your removal and installation
does
> not go as described, STOP YOU ARE DOING SOMETHING WRONG. Guys my front
> bearing tool and similar ones have taken literally thousands of front
wheel
> bearings off. They work.
>
>
> regards,
>
> tom
>
>

> >After reading all of these replies, I feel much better!
> >
> >I am guessing, but perhaps Mark's comments followed a frustrating day of
> >repair work. I know that many times working on our coach, with rusted
parts,
> >sticking bolts and such, I have felt like going off in search of a can of
> >gas and a book of matches! Perhaps next time it would be better to calm
down
> >a bit before such a rant!
> >
> >Just my feelings, Tony
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: bill e satterfield
> >To:
> >Cc:
> >Sent: Wednesday, July 19, 2000 11:36 AM
> >Subject: Re: GMC: Warner Bearing Puller WARNING!
> >
> >
> >> Sounds like pretty strong and serious accusations to me. Maybe thats
> >> only your opinion and not neccesarily the opinons of the many who have
> >> used this tool successfully. I personally have used tool with OTC
> >> puller on both of my GMC's and on a friends GMC . Guess I was just
> >> lucky. I know it does help if you read and understand the directions.
> >> Thanks Tom for making this tool available to so many of us at an
> >> affordable price. Thats my opinion.
> >> Bill
> >>
> >> On Tue, 18 Jul 2000 21:40:29 -0400 "hemogoblin"

> >> > Hi All,
> >> > Well I finally got to do my front wheel bearings today. I used the
> >> > Tom
> >> > Warner Bearing tool that I received last September. I have a Warning
> >> > to all
> >> > who are carrying one with you or have it ready to use. Make Sure you
> >> > use it
> >> > BEFORE YOU NEED TO DEPEND UPON IT, chances are it will not work
> >> > unless you
> >> > can enlist at least two other people to help, and have a large
> >> > wrench and
> >> > cheater bar supply. The Warner split rings hold great they fit
> >> > fine, and
> >> > seem to be as strong as he says. His choice of the OTC as a Puller
> >> > SUCKS.
> >> > The problem is, one person cannot generate the force needed to pull
> >> > the
> >> > bearings, It doesn't matter if the OTC can withstand 10 Tons, one
> >> > person
> >> > cannot generate it.
> >> > I believe Tom misrepresented himself during the initial discussions
> >> > in '98
> >> > &'99 about this tool, he did not use it before he reported back
> >> > telling us
> >> > how great it was. Words like " you can pull the tightest bearing"
> >> > and " you
> >> > must have it to service wheel bearings" added to the hype. Soon
> >> > after the
> >> > first 15, or 50 were produced he knew the deficiencies and modified
> >> > it to
> >> > use a Hydraulic Jack.( although no one knows the correct number
> >> > mine is #38
> >> > and is the small diameter version).
> >> > I feel that I have been RIPPED OFF. I feel that the 200 or so who
> >> > have
> >> > bought one and those who continue to, have done so because of the
> >> > integrity
> >> > that this forums members have displayed and the lenthy discussions
> >> > of its
> >> > value. I urge you to TRY and use the tool at home just to check it
> >> > out.
> >> > As delivered, and designed, without the ability to use a hydraulic
> >> > jack the
> >> > tool is not usable as described.
> >> > If I had purchased it with a credit card , I would be protesting
> >> > the
> >> > charge. It just doesn't work as described!
> >> > By the way, I used it correctly, just as Wes described. I have
> >> > experience
> >> > with GMC, Toronado,and Eldorado front ends both personally and
> >> > professionally. Normally I have used a press or Machine Shop when
> >> > servicing
> >> > the bearings which usually destroys them.
> >> > Mark '77 Palm Beach LINY
> >> >
> >>
> >
> >
>