Pelican Parts Forums - DIY tool for extracting pinion/input shaft ball races

In another thread I asked how to remove the races on the diff side. There were methods exposed that require taking out the diff and drive shafts. I did not want to do that because that was all fine, no leaks, no grinding. So I tried my own way with some DIY puller tool. In case someone else want to go that road, here is what I did.

First I cut and filed an aluminum rod to shape such that it fits under the race. Then I tapped 2 6mm threads, and a hole in the middle to put some wire. That wire is there to overrule Murphy's law which will inevitably force parts to fall into the diff! Then a wire is handy to pull it back out. A top square metal tube and some holes later there is the puller tool ready to go.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1674837564.jpg

make sure the bottom part fits IN BETWEEN the rib that holds the back of the race. You don't want to pull this to pieces! For the smaller race it's a bit more complicated, because there is a spring circlip. I made the part such that it goes in between ends of the circlip. On the opposite side it touches the inner surface of that same circlip.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1674838001.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1674838001.jpg

All that is left is to install the tool, make sure it actually pulls on the bottom of the BB race, and torque the race out one turn at the time alternate sides. I did put some nuts to allow for the clearance, one could obviously weld them to the top bar (I was too lazy...). The races were a tight fit (lucky me!) and the small one needed some heating to get it to smoothly.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1674838428.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1674838806.jpg

Happy I could get it done this way, without the need to spend again crazy money on OEM tools. :)