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8.8 Carrier Bearing Puller

5K views 16 replies 6 participants last post by  MudMagnetYJ 
#1 ·
Does anybody have a weapon of choice for pulling the carrier bearings off of the 8.8 differential? A bearing knife won't seem to work, plus my carrier won't fit into my friend's 12 ton press or the 20 ton press at work...

I've been looking at the OTC 4520 kit, but the ears look rather large to fit into the notch on the carrier. As of now I'll probably weld something up to attach to my slide hammer/puller setup.

 
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#2 ·
I bought that kit and was unsuccessful at removing Dana 44 carrier bearings with it. The tips slipped off, got rounded off, and were useless after that. I returned it for a refund - Amazon customer service is pretty good.

I ended up (VERY CAREFULLY) cutting the race with a dremel tool and cutoff wheel, and then breaking the race with a cold chisel. I don't recommend this technique - it's slow and you don't want to cut into the carrier.

I haven't needed it yet, but for future projects, I decided to purchase a clamshell type puller:


You also might see if a local machine shop can remove them for you. Keep the old races you remove to use as spacers/adapters when you press the new bearings back on.
 
#3 ·
MM, you are young in your career. If I were you, I would buy the kit than StanF suggests.

For an old buzzard like me, I would probably just have a shop do the job. Just depends on cost. If the cost of the kit is close to the cost of having a shop do the job, then I would buy the tool, even if I planned on using it only once.

I have several tools that I bought for one specific job that I continue to use from time to time (I.E. a radiator pressure tester).

Good Luck, L.M.
 
#4 ·
I'm curious to know why the carrier won't fit in the press, most press tables drop down pretty far.
 
#5 ·
It's the width of the carrier rather than the height. The frame of the press isn't wife enough.

I don't belive the clamshell would work since the bearing is flush against the carrier except for two small notches.

I got one out with a chisel and hammer a few months ago, but I'm getting another carrier and that method seemed tedious. I talked to a mechanic at work and he said that's what he does, pound them out.
 
#6 ·
The 8.8 doesn't have the shims between the bearings and carrier so a clam shell puller is unnecessary (I have the set but use it exclusively on dana axles). The 8.8 carriers are set up with grooves to work with a large 2 jaw puller. If this is something you'll be doing once, rent the largest 2 jaw puller they have at your local parts store.
 
#8 ·
I own a couple pullers but the ears are too large to fit into the grooves. I have an OTC slide hammer that also comes with a jaw puller, and some Saturday Special tool my dad had in the shed a few years ago. But yes, it is nice not having to deal with dummy bearings to set up the gears. I'll have to give it another look, maybe I just need to give it some more coaxing.

Thanks for the document, it looks like it has some good info. But I'm not seeing the part you're exactly referring to.
 
#9 ·
In that document, you can see the groove I was talking about above the bolt being pointed to for the 2 jaw puller. Cut the cage off if you need to and find a good 2 jaw puller to use.
 
#10 ·
I know what you're talking about, there. I remember those being too small for a puller, and only being able to fit a chisel in there.
 
#11 ·
Well I'd avoid the chisel idea. I have an old differential side bearing puller that I use that looks like the one in your post but mine is made in the USA with good steel. I don't think I can in good conscience recommend any OTC tools as I've had poor luck with them. They are on par with OEM tools and Lisle tools. If you were planning on doing a lot of axle gearing and rebuilding, the clam shell pullers would be a great investment. I have however seen people on other forums use a 2 jaw puller from Autozone on the 8.8 carrier bearings in the past. I remember they had to cut the bearing cages off, and were barely on the inner race, but they got them off.
 
#12 ·
OTC is hit or miss. I've had good luck with them but could see where to avoid them. For my purposes, I do 100% of my own maintenance, but do lots of brakes and suspension for other people. So I have Matco, GearWrench, Astro, and such where it counts. For the occasional rear wheel bearing, the OTC slide hammer works.

Is there a chance you have a Mac puller? I may buy the OEM tool puller from autozone and grind the ears the slightest bit.
 
#13 ·
Mine is an old snap on. My problem is that it only handles some differentials and mostly corporate ones at that like the 8.8 and 14 bolt etc. Other than that bearing splitters and the press. Clam shell pullers are useful but I usually only use them if I'm trying to save a bearing.
 
#14 ·
My OTC slide hammer did the trick. It had a puller attachment. I used a bearing race installer kit with a small 3/8 extension. First one I did cold, but the second I used a little propane torch that just did wonders.



 
#15 ·
I forgot to say that I cut the bearing cage with a sheet metal attachment on an air hammer to let all of the roller bearings out. That cleared my puller.
 
#17 ·
Yes, I know that you did. I was just confirming that you were correct in saying that I could fit a regular two jaw puller on the race after cutting the cage.

Thanks for your help.
 
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