Matt,
Grinding it down crossed my mind (for a second) but since it was not mine I
did not. I have a slide hammed and will attempt to concoct something. Else I
will attempt the tight fitting dowel technique suggested.
Thanks,Ken Lewis
http://neksiwel.20m.com/
Vanagon mods, tech info and O2 sensor help

----- Original Message -----
From: "Matt Roberds" <mattroberds@cox.net>
To: "Kenneth Lewis" <kdlewis@northstate.net>
Cc: "Vanagon Mailing List" <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2007 12:24 AM
Subject: Re: tool needed

> On Tue, 8 May 2007, Kenneth Lewis wrote:
>> Unfortunately the puller's jaws were a tad too wide to insert into
>> either of the bearings I was trying to remove.
>
> I have pulled a bearing before using just one of the jaws in the puller.
> The hole in the bearing was big enough for the lip of one jaw to fit
> through, but not both jaws.  If you're just using one jaw, make sure
> there is clear space behind the slide hammer; sometimes the one jaw
> slips out and you end up slinging the hammer behind you.
>
> Another idea: decide to keep the puller, and grind/file its jaws
> narrower to fit the bearing.  Don't grind the lip down unless you
> absolutely have to - just grind on either side of the jaw to make it
> narrower.  Then you can return the slide hammer and get most of your
> money back.
>
> You can either rent the slide hammer again later, or casually acquire
> the pieces you need to make one to fit the puller.  Somewhere recently,
> I have seen a rather clever way of making a slide hammer out of pipe
> fittings, but I don't remember where I saw it.
>
> Matt Roberds
>