Has anyone used this tool before. Retails for $89 and is suppose to make life easier for installing axle shaft into bearing/hub. I need to change out a re-man front half shaft on my '91 Loyale (4WD) and have been researching old threads and advice. Just wondering if it was worth it. There's a professional Subaru tool for about $500. I won't go there. Thanks!

 

-Keith

People have made a tool to pull the axle through the hub & Bearings. I myself just re-install the rotor assembly and use the nut to pull it through.

By the name of it it sounds like some sort of old USSR military weapon

 

 

nipper

but in German it's an 'A$$' Maker SU-015-A Installer -

 

so it's a German Tool for installing Russian Missiles on a Japanese Car? :-\

Could you Post Pictures of That Tool? ... Sounds interesting!

google

Thank you for Postin` the Picture! ...

Now I`m Tryin` to Figure out how to Use that tool ... ...

I have that same tool. Found it on ebay for cheap and glad I did! It really makes the job of pulling the axle through the bearings easy and pain free.

 

Gotta love good tools.

Thanks for the input. Doesn't sound necessary but on the other hand if it made life easier? Maybe I'll find one at a rummage sale?

Agreed. I had a local VW/Subaru mechanic gift me some old Subaru tools since he just does VW now.

 

That tool is awesome. Cut my front axle change time down to about 20 minutes. I also felt much safer about the threads using that tool.

Angle iron bridged over the bearing housing face and a series of big washers and spacers always works for me. I just draw it through a bit at a time by tightening the nut. Easier with an impact wrench to do the tightening:grin:

 

IF the threads on the axle can't take it, it was a POS axle that you shouldn't be running, especially on an EA because if that fails, the wheel can fall off.

 

I'll say I've never had one strip.

 

 

 

FYI.....if you loose the axle nut, the brake caliper will hold the wheel on via the rotor for at least 600 miles.........at the expense of the brakes........don't ask how I know.