What to do with a seriously stuck half shaft

[Faheem]

@Lee what contraption are you using to stop the hub from rotating?

 

[Lee]

@Lee what contraption are you using to stop the hub from rotating?

It’s a crank lock out bar I’ve had for years. Surprising how much use it gets. Has one hinged arm so it’s very versatile and fits most things.

 

[Faheem]

Ah very nice. I'm tempted to bite the bullet and buy the tool off eBay, obviously no guarantee if it'll work for my mates car but will be cheaper than the garage labour costs and it's a new tool I can add to my collection

 

[t-tony]

I borrowed one of those of my farmer mate and would not shift mine but was good quality kit. Ended up taking the arms to my Indy and being pressed out after some heat on the bearing.

That has been my experience with all the 3 series cars I've replaced rear wheel bearings on. I do still look at buying new tools from a perspective of longevity and a wide application range where possible ( to increase the value of the tool). If you're more likely to be only doing repetitive repairs you can buy a tool for that specific job and take a slightly higher risk with the likely hood of the tool not lasting. Old habits die hard I guess.

Tony.

 

[mrscalex]

I like my tools. But I’m a big believer if you’re ever only going to use it once or twice then buy cheap and throw it away if it breaks after that. Better than paying 10 times as much for something that will never get used again.

The mistake I made when removing a stuck driveshaft for the first time was buying the wrong type (cheap) tool for the job. Then another, and another. The one tool I didn’t buy was this type of puller. I just said stuff it in the end and had it done for me. By a workshop with this type of tool... albeit with additional requirement of also needing heat as it still wouldn’t budge otherwise. They are permanently loctited in the factory I think.

If I get another stuck driveshaft I’ll probably get the £40 version of this tool.