SwingAxle & Reduction Box Bearing Pullers:Info/Sources

[hazetguy]

Since alot of people ask me, and keep starting threads about pullers for the reduction box bearings, I thought I would compile a list of pullers I am familiar with, and sources for them, accurate at the time of this writing.
This list is for the ball bearing type 6305 and 6306 bearings, particularly the removal of the lower outer 6306 bearing of the "small nut" reduction box. However having the puller also makes getting the upper inner 6306 bearing out very easy. All references to a "bearing", unless noted, are in relation to the BALL BEARING 6305 and 6306 BEARINGS,
VW part numbers 211 501 285 and 311 501 283, respectively. These bearings, as far as I know, are used in all reduction boxes, from Barndoor through 67, and probably even Things.
These pullers will also work on swing-axle Type 1 and 3, which use the 6306 / 311 501 283 bearing. I have used the Baum type and the Kukko type on Type 1 and 3 successfully.

This list is NOT for the later, lower outer roller bearing found on 64-67 reduction boxes, since those bearings do not need to be pulled to separate the box halves. They can be pulled with a bearing separator and a press once the axle is removed.


General info:
Look in the factory service manual, or a Bentley reprint. Look at the tools necessary and the process involved for changing the bearings. If it looks too complicated or you don't feel that mechanically inclined to do such a job, take it to someone who knows what they are doing, and has the tools to do it without damaging increasingly harder to find parts.

The bearings are not specific to VW applications, but when sourcing bearings, try, if at all possible, to get quality bearings, with a C3 rating, and handle them properly before and during installation, and install them properly. Use a thrust pad for the shaft of the puller so you don't damge the axles when pulling the bearings, and use proper drivers for the bearings when installing them. I mean really, do you want to damage the bearing when you are installing it and have to rebuild your reduction boxes again in a short period of time? Do not use sealed bearings, since the reduction boxes use gear oil for lubrication, there may be lubrication problems between the grease in a sealed bearing and the gear oil.

There will always be a "backyard" or "shade tree mechanic" way of pulling the bearings, and yes, I am sure they work in a bind. To me, personally, it is not worth my time and possible part or tool damage to try to rig up the wrong tool to get the bearings off, especially if there is ANY thought of reusing a bearing. In an emergency, maybe. But since I have the proper tools to pull the bearings, I use them, and can only recommend and comment on those.

Different puller types:
There are a few different puller types I own and have seen. See pics below. All are essential specialty tools, designed to properly pull bearings off shafts, which is really what you are doing, when it all boils down to it. The procedure is not some ultra mysterious "VW only" operation.

"Baum Type"

"Kukko Type"

Sources:
I have found pullers all over the place. eBay, auto swap meets (not just VW ones), shops that are going out of business or selling older stuff, the Samba classifieds, old mechanics who are retiring, flea markets, used tool shops, etc. Once you know what to look for, and/or tool numbers for the pullers, they are relatively easy to find.
Some names to look for are: Kukko, Belzer, Baum Tools, Assenmacher, SKF, Zelenda, Rillex.
They are also availble NEW through various sources. Please be aware, they are NOT CHEAP, especially since the $ is in the toilet versus the Euro, and most of these tools come from Germany. For example, I think the last time I called Baum for a price, the puller *housing* was over $200 and the collets were sold separately and about $60 each. They are professional tools, for professional mechanics. But if you don't mind doing some footwork, they can be found less expensively used. I got my Baum type puller for $10 at a swap meet, my Kukko type was FREE after I sold a couple other tools that were in the same pile as the Kukko puller. Many times, the expensive initial price is not worth it if you are only going to do the job once, so it may be worth your while to have a shop do the job for you, rather than shelling out for a tool that you will never use again.
Again, these are NOT VW SPECIFIC tools. They are bearing pullers for pulling specific types of bearings.

Pullers:
As of this writing, Baum tools supposedly was out of stock. I do not know the manufacture's name of the puller that Baum carries. Their tool number is 242, while the 6306 collet is number 242A. Their type is sold with interchangeable collets to fit different bearings, and are sold separately. Their website has not been functioning properly for me, so I can not look up that puller at this time. This is the kind in the first picture above, and is the one I always carry with me. It works excellently. I do not have the collet for the 6305 bearing, but this works great for the others.
Here is a picture of the page from the Baum Tools catalog, showing the tool numbers and their applications.

Kukko series 70 also is useable on a wide variety of bearings.
http://tools.baumtools.com/kukko2.jsp and then go to "Bearing Pulling and Extracting tools" to open a pdf file that shows series 70 type pullers. I have a Belzer version of this puller, and while it takes a little finess to set it up, it works excellently, and I have different rings for both type bearings found in reduction boxes. I believe the Kukko number for the proper puller is the 70-2 type.
I looked a little closer at my Belzer/Kukko puller. The arms are Kukko 772, and the Belzer housing is number 4582N.

There is also the factory specified puller, but they are very hard to find in complete, unbroken condition. Factory tool number is either VW241a or US241a. Please go to the "Technical" tab at the top of the page, then scroll down to the "VW Tool Listing" section, where many, many VW specialty tools can be seen and described.

VW 241a:

Contacts:
I am NOT affiliated with ANY of the following companies. They are just some of the places I have dealt with over the years. Call or email them directly, as I obviously can not answer questions for them.

Zelenda http://www.zelenda.com/ 888-892-8348 Carries Hazet tools, Kukko, and other auto specialty tools. I always go to them first, and have been dealing with them for about 12 years.

SamstagSales http://www.samstagsales.com (615) 735-3388 (9/07 edit) http://www.samstagsales.com/kukko.htm lists the Kukko 70-2 puller housing and arm sets, sold separately. I do not see a 6305 arm set listed (upper outer reduction box bearing), so you may want to call to ask about that particular application.
This page: http://www.samstagsales.com/sirtools.htm lists the "Baum" type puller housing and collets, each sold separately.

Baum Tools http://www.baumtools.com/ 800-848-6657 (Personal note: Baum always seems to be extremely high priced on many things that can be found elsewhere. Check other sources before ordering from Baum.)

Assenmacher/AST http://www.asttool.com/front_page.php 800-525-2943 I have not dealt with them personally and have not looked through their website, but they seem to have VW/European/Automotive type tools that I see for sale alot in other places.

I do not deal with Snap-On, Matco, Mac, etc, type of tool vendors very often, so I can not comment on what type of pullers they have available, or who they can order tools from, but you might ask them if you have a truck in your area.

One other thing, when contacting places like this. These are old, obsolete vehicles we are driving and fixing. Their catalogs may not have references for vehicles this old, and their sales agents probably do not know the mechanical breakdown of a 3/4 ton VW rear axle. But if you call or search a website and ask for a puller for a specific bearing like a 6306 or 6305, that may get you further ahead than just trying to explain that this is for use on a 50 year old Volkswagen.

Bearing reference: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/bearingref_t2.php

Hope this helps.
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thebucket: I invested in hoodride, now DBD won't return my call?
hazetguy: invested?
thebucket: Yeah Haze, its where people put money into a company in hopes of a return on their money

[velvetgreen]

Thanks Jon mucho appreciated all the effort put into posting this- I for one am guilty of bugging Jon to write such a posting so many thanks!

[Lind]

I have heard complaints from old school mechanics that the VW 241A puller like to break. I have a feeling that it is because they are lighter duty than some of the other styles of pullers and the mechanics were trying too hard to remove a stuck bearing. I use my 241A as a backup to my Rillex 6306.

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Wanted:
Idaho VW license plate frames or other dealership items.
VWoA literature and early dealership or distributor literature/pictures/information
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[David58bug]

I vote Sticky on this info.
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What Do You Want To Know About Your VW?

[Rick]

aaaaahhh. Tool porn. Very nice jon, thanks. Where's my drooling emoticon when I need it?

[EverettB]

[iamdonquixote]

what puller and collet are you using to remove the upper bearing in the "big nut" rebuild series?

[hazetguy]

[incynr8]

are those pry bars hazet tire spoons?
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..........
Do it right, or don't bother.

[hazetguy]

why yes, they are.
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thebucket: I invested in hoodride, now DBD won't return my call?
hazetguy: invested?
thebucket: Yeah Haze, its where people put money into a company in hopes of a return on their money

[hazetguy]

i saw this on ebay today.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KUKKO-DEEP-GROOVE-B...6904QQrdZ1

i have a spare ring for the 6306 bearings that i will give FREE to anyone from here who may win it. the ring is missing in the auction.
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thebucket: I invested in hoodride, now DBD won't return my call?
hazetguy: invested?
thebucket: Yeah Haze, its where people put money into a company in hopes of a return on their money

[chrisflstf]

Cool, I just got a quote today for the Kukko 70K of $636.15, The deluxe one was $1138.60. Dang thats EXPENSIVE!

The one on Ebay just does the 6306 bearings? Whats it take to pull the 6305's? New arms?

Couldnt find out much about the Rillex pullers.

[Flipseat]

Another puller... just for reference. Made by Krebsfer. This thing is a monster. It pulls on both the inner and outer races. 8 arms.

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Insert random important looking club initials here.

[derv]

[incynr8]

that would be a set price. for 70-x. I suspect that would be 5-6 rings and 3 sets of arms.

The auction is for an incomplete 70-2 with a single set of arms. I have the baum style Jon shows above. 242 242a and 242b.

Need those nice tire spoons as I upgrade to all 'good' stuff myself.
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..........
Do it right, or don't bother.

[Major Woody]

[crofty]

[derv]

You must have outbid me at the last minute. I was outside working on the bus all day and didnt put in an esnipe.

Congrats. I'll find another one.
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Jack

[crofty]

[guatebus]

Does anyone know anything about this puller? It's made by Draper in the UK.

http://www.draperhandtools.co.uk/43136-draper-expert-large-insert-bearing-puller.html

It says it works for the 6305 and 6306 series bearings. It's obviously a different style from the Kukko pullers...doesn't look quite as beefy.

You can get it on UK amazon for 39 pounds. Even with shipping to the U.S. that seems pretty accessible for folks rebuilding their RGB's.
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'64 standard microbus
'69 deluxe microbus