Patent Application
20150121675
The present invention relates to the removal of hubs and, more particularly, to an axle hub puller.
Currently, devices used to pull a front axle hub off are weak and hard to use. These devices are of poor quality and design. Situations occur where the puller may bind on the axle shaft.
As can be seen, there is a need for an axle hub puller that provides a smooth and equal pulling force on the hub that may keep it from binding on the axle shaft during the removal of the hub.
In one aspect of the present invention, an axle hub puller comprises: a puller body comprising a plurality of counter sink holes and a threaded puller screw hole, wherein the puller body is operable to removably attach to a plurality of wheel lugs through the plurality of counter sink holes; and a puller screw turned in against a hub axle center through the puller screw hole.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method of removing a hub and brake rotor off of an axle comprises: removing a tire and brake caliper from the axle; removing a center axle nut; attaching puller body onto a plurality of wheel lugs of the axle, wherein the puller body comprises a plurality of counter sink holes and a threaded puller screw hole, wherein the plurality of wheel lugs of the axle enter through the plurality of counter sink holes of the puller body; tightening a plurality of lug nuts over the plurality of wheel lugs; engaging a puller screw into the puller screw hole of the puller body; turning the puller screw in against an axle center; and removing the hub and brake rotor off of the axle.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an axle hub puller that may include a puller body. The puller body may include a plurality of counter sink holes and a threaded puller screw hole. The puller body may be operable to removably attach to a hub with a plurality of wheel lugs by having the plurality of wheel lugs pass through the plurality of counter sink holes. A puller screw may be inserted into the threaded puller screw hole. The puller screw may be turned against a hub axle center allowing for the removal of the hub and a brake rotor.
As is illustrated in
The puller body may fit across the hub in a way that allows the puller body to be approximately symmetrical across the axle center. In certain embodiments, the plurality of counter sink holes may include two counter sink holes. In certain embodiments, the axle hub puller may be made from, but not limited to, steel or the like. The axle hub puller may be made from multiple pieces of flat stock steel and a fully threaded screw. In certain embodiments, five pieces of flat stock steel may be used and welded together. Holes may be drilled and the center hole may be threaded for the puller screw to work within the threaded puller screw hole.
In certain embodiments, the axle hub puller may be used for front axle hubs, rear axle hubs and the like. In certain embodiments, a hydraulic center push rod may be included to provide additional force. In certain embodiments, the axle hub puller may be used for pulling off gears, bearings, and the like.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
