[A4] wheel bearing tools

[Robert King]

On Mon, Apr 7, 2008 at 12:00 PM, Kent McLean <kentmclean at comcast.net> wrote:
> The right front wheel bearing on my '99 A4 is starting to make noise (increases
> proportional to speed, louder/softer when turning).  The last wheel bearing I
> had done by my mechanic. But if I'd bought the tools then, this one would be
> almost free, so I'm on the verge of buying the tools.
>
> Harbor Fright has a "good enough" on-car bearing puller:
> <http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=45210>
>
> But I understand using a regular wrench on it is nearly impossible.  So my
> inclination is to add an impact wrench to the mix. With no air compressor
> (no space in my apartment), a pneumatic one is out of the question. So I'm
> in the market for an electrical one.
>
> I'd like a 12V one, to leave in the car to help change a flat tire.  But I
> think I'd be better served with a 120V AC wrench, running off an inverter
> when needed to be mobile.

I've never had the need for a mobile impact wrench for wheels (and I
race cars, meaning I'm swapping the tires around on the race car
several times a day.)

I have tried the cordless impact wrenches, and to get a decent one
(i.e. one with enough capacity to handle the really tough jobs,)
you're going to need a name-brand one with a lot of power (18.8v, if
possible.)  These are not cheap.

I'd rather get a 110v one, myself.  DeWalt and Sears Craftsman are
both good ones, but they are HEAVY.


-- 
-- Robert