Bearing Pullers

Bearing Puller Selection — Quick Reference

Bearing pullers = specialist maintenance tools removing BEARINGS + GEARS + PULLEYS + press-fit components from shafts WITHOUT damaging shaft or housing. Beats improvised methods (hammers + cold chisels + heat) which destroy parts.

Critical: Match puller jaw spread + capacity to bearing — undersized = tool failure + injury. Apply pulling force EVENLY — uneven loading bends jaws + damages tool. Use bearing puller specifically — NEVER improvise with screwdrivers + hammers (destroys bearing seat + shaft). Brands: Sykes-Pickavant, Maxigear. Companion: extraction tools, bearings, bearing puller guide.

Bearing Pullers

Bearing pullers are specialist maintenance tools designed to remove bearings, gears, pulleys, and other press-fit components from shafts without damaging the shaft or surrounding housing. Using a puller rather than improvised methods — hammers, cold chisels, and heat — protects machined surfaces, reduces component damage, and significantly lowers the risk of injury. AIMS Industrial supplies bearing pullers for maintenance teams, engineers, and tradespeople across Australia.

Types of Bearing Pullers

The right puller depends on how the bearing is installed and what access you have to its inner or outer race.

• 2-jaw pullers: Two opposing jaws grip the outer ring of a bearing or hub. Best for applications with good access to the outside of the component being removed.
• 3-jaw pullers: Three jaws provide more stable, centred pulling force. Preferred for larger bearings and components where equal load distribution across the race matters.
• Blind hole / internal pullers: Expand inside a bore to grip the inner race or housing bore directly. Essential for bearings pressed into a blind housing where external grip is not possible.
• Slide hammer pullers: Used in confined spaces or on light bearings where a screw-type puller cannot be positioned effectively.
• Hydraulic bearing pullers: Hydraulic ram provides high extraction force for large, heavy-duty bearings. Common in plant maintenance on conveyor drives, large motors, and gearboxes.

Selecting the Right Puller

Match the puller jaw spread and reach to the bearing or component you are removing. A puller that is too small will not grip properly; one that is too large is awkward to control. For regular maintenance across mixed bearing sizes, a puller set with interchangeable jaws covers most situations efficiently. Heavy-duty plant maintenance requiring consistent high-force extraction warrants a dedicated hydraulic puller rather than a mechanical screw type.

Safe Use of Bearing Pullers

Always ensure the puller jaws are fully engaged behind the component before applying load — a jaw that slips under load can cause serious injury or damage to the workpiece. Apply pulling force gradually and evenly. If a bearing will not shift with moderate force, check for retaining rings, locknuts, or interference fits that have not been fully released before increasing load. Never exceed the puller's rated capacity.

Puller Sets vs Individual Pullers

For general workshop use, a puller set provides the best value — multiple jaw sizes and extensions in a single kit covers the majority of bearing sizes encountered in typical maintenance work. Individual pullers are preferred when a specific bearing is changed repeatedly and a dedicated tool is more efficient than configuring a set each time. If you need advice on which puller suits your application, contact our team at AIMS Industrial.

People Also Ask — Bearing Pullers

Q: What is a bearing puller?

A bearing puller is a specialised tool designed to remove press-fit bearings, pulleys, gears, and similar components from shafts without damaging the shaft or surrounding components. Standard types include 2-jaw and 3-jaw external pullers (grip the outer race), internal pullers (grip the inner race or housing bore), slide-hammer pullers (impact removal), and hydraulic pullers for heavy industrial bearings. Essential workshop tool for any equipment maintenance involving bearing replacement. See [Bearing Puller Guide](/blogs/product-guides/bearing-puller-guide).

Q: 2-jaw or 3-jaw bearing puller?

2-jaw: simpler design, faster setup, suits straightforward removal where adequate grip surfaces are accessible on two sides. 3-jaw: more even load distribution, less likely to slip off the bearing, better for stubborn pulls and unusual geometries. For workshop daily use, both have a place. 3-jaw is the more versatile choice for general workshop kit. 2-jaw works well in confined access situations where 3-jaw can't fit.

Q: What size bearing puller do I need?

Match the jaw spread (open distance between jaws) to the bearing outer diameter. Small pullers handle bearings up to ~80mm OD; mid-size to 150mm; large industrial pullers to 250mm+ and beyond. The reach (depth of jaw arms) needs to clear obstructions on the shaft. For workshop kit, a graduated set covering common automotive and machinery sizes is more useful than one large puller. Browse [/collections/bearing-pullers](/collections/bearing-pullers) for sizes.

Q: Mechanical or hydraulic bearing puller?

Mechanical: screw-driven with bar handles or T-handle — adequate for most workshop bearings up to medium-heavy sizes. Hydraulic: hand-pump or air-driven hydraulic cylinder — necessary for very heavy industrial bearings (large pumps, mining equipment, mill bearings). For workshop automotive and machinery service: mechanical pullers are workshop standard. For heavy industrial maintenance: hydraulic capability is essential.

Q: How do I prevent damaging the shaft when pulling a bearing?

Apply a centre-point protector under the puller screw (small disc of soft metal between screw tip and shaft end). Use straight axial pull — don't side-load the shaft. Apply penetrating oil and let it work before pulling. For stubborn pulls, apply heat (200-300°C) to the bearing inner race using a torch or induction heater — thermal expansion releases the press-fit. Don't hammer on the shaft to assist removal — that damages threads and bearing seats.