Bearing Puller Kits - What's the Deal?

[Descolada]

Hi All,

So for the most part I have found that tools used in maintaining V-Strom's are not over expensive. But of late I have been taking a look at what it would cost me to get a bearing puller kit (in anticipation of when front or rear wheel bearings or swing arm bearings get to a point where they need attention).

Why are bearing puller kits so much more expensive (when for the most part they are just a fancy slide hammer)?

What do others here do when they need to pull a bearing, book it in and get a garage to do the job, get a bearing puller kit and do it themselves or MacGyver a solution?

[Firestorm]

MacGyver solution! I've always managed without a puller using guile, a homemade tool ( out of a foot of 1/2" stainless bar) - and a copper hammer!

[Locky]

+1 I've never used a puller on bike wheel bearings . Use the same method as Firestorm .

[Jacko]

Yeah, drift and hammer for wheel bearings, selection of differing diameter tubes, washers, nuts and a length of threaded bar can pretty much remove everything else..

[Juvecu]

Same here, used in iron rod for the front, rear and head bearings. I beat it back in with a hammer and a socket that rests well on the outside (never the inside!) of the bearing race. To be honest though, I'll probably spend the money on a nice bearing puller (slide hammer style) some time in the future. It's always a bitch to get bearings out so it will be 'nice' have it easier. Would have to be one that can do everything from wheel bearings to head bearings though. While I'm thinking about nice to have tools, I'd like to have a brake caliper piston removal tool too!