Thanks for posting, you probably saved me some trouble, was going to buy the Harbor Freight puller thought I should look up some reviews. Yours is simple and you sound sincere, believable. Thanks.
Not surprised the pro model puller is higher quality and works better. That is as it should be. All I can say is that I got the HF puller around 7 years ago for a one off job on an older car. Worked fine. Stayed on the shelf until recently when I decided to replace the PS pump on my El Camino. Again it worked fine with no problems. Just my results. My tip would be to lube and grease the parts before using.
I know I've seen this video before as I hit the thumbs up...not sure if I commented last time but I will this time😉 I bought that same set from harbor freight. The cups on mine broke. I didn't want to mess with an exchange and didn't have the receipt to demand a refund either...so I tossed it in the trash and went to Autozone bought the OTC one for $35ish....i think. That was 4 years ago and still using it with no issues. Harbor freight does sell some nice diamonds in the rough...but that ain't one of them...lol
I used the Harbor Freight one with no issues. It worked perfectly. Great for a weekend warrior. If ur a professional then by all means by the expensive kit.
Same problem here but with a rental puller set from a local auto parts store. I was trying get the pulley off a (94 F250)ford pump and the tool wouldn't do it. It was really POS after I got done with it. I at least got my money back and went home and ordered a Blue Point. What a difference the pulley came right off and went right back on the new pump just like it should. I was lucky that I had a 2nd car to drive for a few day's. I was surprised with the rental since it looked new and couldn't do the job just one time. This is a good comparison since the cheaper tool should work at least one time. It wasn't my first time doing this either prior to the rental I had borrowed one from a friend and everything went as it should.
I know this is a couple years old now... I just bought the HF because it was a one time job... Looks like they've done some redesign on the plunger, as it is now grooved for the o-ring just like the matco is. I didnt have any issues with the mushrooming you mentioned. The reversible jaws are just as you described them, and the bearing is garbage.. it works, but it sounds like they are just in the raceway without any structure... Everything feels like the same solid material they use in their impact sockets now... and handled the job with ease.
Good tip, I ended up returning it my self b4 use, quick question I have to replace one on 96Dodge Ram did u replaced the pulley on the car or off the car seems like the fan cover is very close idk if I would have space
I had similar problems with the harbor freight tool, but was able to fully remove the pulley. However, it damaged the inside threads and that was a bit of an issue. After about two hours of work (I’ve not got a tap set, so I filed down one of the other bolts to clean up the threads, and most of that time was spent looking for the right file and taking breaks due to health.) Also, even the threads on the outside were slightly deformed. No issues installing pulley. Thank you for making this video…I really wanted to see what I was not doing correctly.
Bought the HF pulley set for 18 bucks with a 20 percent coupon. It’s really cheap quality but it did the job. I’m not a technician just a diy. I don’t think they offer lifetime warranty on the set .
I have had the Lisle 38850 for 18 years of regular use. I even picked up a backup and have never needed it. More that once I have loaned my set to another tech with a cheap set that wouldn't do the job.
I do not currently have one nor does anyone in the shop. Both of our shop sets are MATCO as well. This was the reason I went from Harbor Freight to the MATCO set, but I think it may be re-branded Lisle. If that helps.
I had the same issue with the HF set failing when trying to remove a PS pulley. I returned it and went and bought the OTC kit at Auto Zone. That was about 6 pulleys ago and still works great.
The oem kit started the disform the pulley. Used bearing splitter and bar puller, piece of cake. The installer worked fine, I recommend the splitter and bar puller.
I had a cheap friend break two of the harbor freight kits before I came over with my old KD set and replaced the pulley for him. He went right out and bought a KD set for himself.
Just pulled a pulley on an 89 TBI 350, Pittsburgh came through for me, unnerved me though. Kept expecting an explosion, the ring that goes over the puller pieces never snugged up. : - 0 I kept wiggling around finally got it off.
An explanation of how to reinstall a pulley would be nice. I can't figure it out. I have a kit like both of these, and was able to remove my power steering pulley just fine, but can't get it back on. The pulley shaft just turns and unscrews the installer tool.
I bought a Harbor Freight set and put it on the shelf, so I'd have it when I needed it. Spent and hour and a half yesterday wrestling with it. It just doesn't work.
It's like they intentionally fucked it up. "You know what goes good on a pulley puller? Full round fillets! Next, we will make the locking cup oversized and super thin, won't it be funny when it goes all sideways, deforms and physically locks itself on the pulley!" The one I bought from napa is no different. Harbor freight in another package. My knuckles hurt, and the damn pulley is still stuck.
One thing to note...on the cheap kits, the "clam shell" puller is different on the two sides. If you don't match up the correct sides together, it will slip every time. Other than that, my "cheap kit" seems to work fine.
I cant recall but it's either the lisle or gearwrench made just with a matco sticker. There's spot of matco, snap on, Mac that rebranded gearwrench and lisle.
I bought a Harbor Freight power steering puller and it was a piece of junk.the part that goes on the pulley is not tight enough and keeps coming off and l couldn't get the pulley off.
Every time I try to install on my dodge, the threaded part falls off and I get hit with a bearing in the face at 1130pm as well as the other parts and I'm about to scream
You can "rent" most common tool sets like this from Autozone or Adance Auto or other auto parts stores.............you put a deposit down, you dont even have to buy the parts you are working on ......When you are done, get your money back........FREE is so nice.........word of caution......always check the tool kit before you leave the auto parts store, and do it right at the counter........if any parts missing when you come back.....you just bought that whole set.........BTW.......was Harbor Fright yesterday and they had a "better" kit like this right next to the generic one from them........twice the price........forgot the name brand but it had that same=look Harbor Fright PN box on the back..........I think they are trying to offer some better quality tools for those who want them.......not a bad idea as long as they really better.........
They both don't work well. I had a really hard time getting a power steering pulley off a 98 mustang. I don't know why they didn't just bolt it on like the water pump pulley. It's a stupid ways to Uninstaller and install something.
I really like some hft just got to be very pickie what you buy but Justin your right why pay for a cheap tool that won't last spend the money once on a great tool that won't let you down on a important job reminds me of a friend I got this nut always buys used tires like twice a year I tell him for the price of them tires twice a year get 4 new ones that will last 40,50,sometimes 60,000 miles just like his parts he always gets cheap ass shit from places like Wal-Mart buy GOOD ONCE !
depends on how often you use these kits i found the harbor fright kit made by pitsberg steel just as good as matco as matco as well as snapon are made in china as well .pitsberg tools makes good tools i own from all tool companies ,i dont agree with this guy ,the best tool you can get is the one you can replace in a hurry ,your boss is not going to wait 6 months for the snapon to bring your speciality tool ,where as you can buy local from sears or the auto parts store and get a faster replacement
dont bother with the cheap soft chinese pullers .not worth the hassle or pully 1/2 on before bolt twists off. hose clamp works better than ring on cheap sets/
Kind of a stupid comparison 18.00 vs 80.00 Thats like comparing a Chevette to a Corvette you get what you pay for and If comparing Them show Them Both being Used as well because If not Then its Just a Opinion. Home Depot has a kit for 17.00 compare that to the HF as Im pretty sure any HF Tool Isnt going to compare to a Matco or Blue Point or Snap On.........
Not a bad idea, but I'm a mechanic by trade and it's a tool that has paid for itself time and time again. As for my weekend warriors... Yes absolutely. Rent it until it becomes a need.
Thanks for posting, you probably saved me some trouble, was going to buy the Harbor Freight puller thought I should look up some reviews. Yours is simple and you sound sincere, believable. Thanks.
Not surprised the pro model puller is higher quality and works better. That is as it should be. All I can say is that I got the HF puller around 7 years ago for a one off job on an older car. Worked fine. Stayed on the shelf until recently when I decided to replace the PS pump on my El Camino. Again it worked fine with no problems. Just my results. My tip would be to lube and grease the parts before using.
I know I've seen this video before as I hit the thumbs up...not sure if I commented last time but I will this time😉
I bought that same set from harbor freight. The cups on mine broke. I didn't want to mess with an exchange and didn't have the receipt to demand a refund either...so I tossed it in the trash and went to Autozone bought the OTC one for $35ish....i think. That was 4 years ago and still using it with no issues.
Harbor freight does sell some nice diamonds in the rough...but that ain't one of them...lol
I used the Harbor Freight one with no issues. It worked perfectly. Great for a weekend warrior. If ur a professional then by all means by the expensive kit.
Same problem here but with a rental puller set from a local auto parts store. I was trying get the pulley off a (94 F250)ford pump and the tool wouldn't do it. It was really POS after I got done with it. I at least got my money back and went home and ordered a Blue Point. What a difference the pulley came right off and went right back on the new pump just like it should. I was lucky that I had a 2nd car to drive for a few day's. I was surprised with the rental since it looked new and couldn't do the job just one time.
This is a good comparison since the cheaper tool should work at least one time. It wasn't my first time doing this either prior to the rental I had borrowed one from a friend and everything went as it should.
Hope your channel takes off man, your videos are great and super informative
Thanks Brother!
I know this is a couple years old now... I just bought the HF because it was a one time job... Looks like they've done some redesign on the plunger, as it is now grooved for the o-ring just like the matco is. I didnt have any issues with the mushrooming you mentioned. The reversible jaws are just as you described them, and the bearing is garbage.. it works, but it sounds like they are just in the raceway without any structure... Everything feels like the same solid material they use in their impact sockets now... and handled the job with ease.
man ur hands make me feel like i know exactly what your saying without me having to listen..great VIDEO
Good tip, I ended up returning it my self b4 use, quick question I have to replace one on 96Dodge Ram did u replaced the pulley on the car or off the car seems like the fan cover is very close idk if I would have space
I have used the hf puller set on dodge truck ps and alternators with no problems. You must lube the screw with grease or anti-sneez.
I just looked at HF, and their pully puller is $7.49 and it is in stock today
I had similar problems with the harbor freight tool, but was able to fully remove the pulley.
However, it damaged the inside threads and that was a bit of an issue. After about two hours of work (I’ve not got a tap set, so I filed down one of the other bolts to clean up the threads, and most of that time was spent looking for the right file and taking breaks due to health.)
Also, even the threads on the outside were slightly deformed.
No issues installing pulley.
Thank you for making this video…I really wanted to see what I was not doing correctly.
Same
Bought the HF pulley set for 18 bucks with a 20 percent coupon. It’s really cheap quality but it did the job. I’m not a technician just a diy. I don’t think they offer lifetime warranty on the set .
I have had the Lisle 38850 for 18 years of regular use. I even picked up a backup and have never needed it. More that once I have loaned my set to another tech with a cheap set that wouldn't do the job.
Are able to use this set to install the harmonic balancer
I've used the harbor freight one a hand full of times with no issues. No doubt the matco is better though.
Thanks, good comparison ...
Great video, can you compare it to the Lisle 39000 power steering pulley puller and installer.
I do not currently have one nor does anyone in the shop. Both of our shop sets are MATCO as well. This was the reason I went from Harbor Freight to the MATCO set, but I think it may be re-branded Lisle. If that helps.
6/24 harbor freight has this closeout for 7 bucks right now great review
Harbor Freight has some good tools at great prices however you have to shop carefully.
I had the same issue with the HF set failing when trying to remove a PS pulley. I returned it and went and bought the OTC kit at Auto Zone. That was about 6 pulleys ago and still works great.
Ah, there it is...but I remember tossing it...lol...oh well
The oem kit started the disform the pulley. Used bearing splitter and bar puller, piece of cake. The installer worked fine, I recommend the splitter and bar puller.
Good idea for those who are familiar with the tool and have enough room to use it.
I had a cheap friend break two of the harbor freight kits before I came over with my old KD set and replaced the pulley for him. He went right out and bought a KD set for himself.
Thank you for the info. ...good video.
No problem! Cheers!
I just bought the pulley set yesterday
Just pulled a pulley on an 89 TBI 350, Pittsburgh came through for me, unnerved me though. Kept expecting an explosion, the ring that goes over the puller pieces never snugged up. : - 0 I kept wiggling around finally got it off.
Thank you so much
No problem
YOU DA MAN JUSTIN! Harbor Frt also has a "better" pulley kit sold under the Maddox brand name, I wonder if that's worth buying?
An explanation of how to reinstall a pulley would be nice. I can't figure it out. I have a kit like both of these, and was able to remove my power steering pulley just fine, but can't get it back on. The pulley shaft just turns and unscrews the installer tool.
Use some vice grips
matco is rebranded lisle, try the snap on ones, far superior and easier too use
I bought a Harbor Freight set and put it on the shelf, so I'd have it when I needed it. Spent and hour and a half yesterday wrestling with it. It just doesn't work.
It's like they intentionally fucked it up. "You know what goes good on a pulley puller? Full round fillets! Next, we will make the locking cup oversized and super thin, won't it be funny when it goes all sideways, deforms and physically locks itself on the pulley!"
The one I bought from napa is no different. Harbor freight in another package.
My knuckles hurt, and the damn pulley is still stuck.
Every time I use the harbor freight pulley remover I always put the pulley on crooked
Thanks Man 🤙🤙
No problem 👍
I just used harbor freight kit on a 454 dually… had no issues whatsoever.
I liked how you used each tool to pull a power steering pulley and demonstrate how one worked better than the other....or not.
I use my harborfreight puller alot with no problems
You are an amazing guy my friend 😉😉
One thing to note...on the cheap kits, the "clam shell" puller is different on the two sides. If you don't match up the correct sides together, it will slip every time. Other than that, my "cheap kit" seems to work fine.
Red o black?
Coming late to the party as I see this is an old video but...am I crazy or is the GearWrench set identical to this one?
I cant recall but it's either the lisle or gearwrench made just with a matco sticker. There's spot of matco, snap on, Mac that rebranded gearwrench and lisle.
Tried rental tools from Auto zone,some tools are so abused an bent I had hard time
I bought a Harbor Freight power steering puller and it was a piece of junk.the part that goes on the pulley is not tight enough and keeps coming off and l couldn't get the pulley off.
You must work for Matco tools because the tool from Harbor Freight worked great for me.
Amazon has the OTC kit for $35.
Looks the same as Matco? Right down to the box molding
Every time I try to install on my dodge, the threaded part falls off and I get hit with a bearing in the face at 1130pm as well as the other parts and I'm about to scream
You can "rent" most common tool sets like this from Autozone or Adance Auto or other auto parts stores.............you put a deposit down, you dont even have to buy the parts you are working on ......When you are done, get your money back........FREE is so nice.........word of caution......always check the tool kit before you leave the auto parts store, and do it right at the counter........if any parts missing when you come back.....you just bought that whole set.........BTW.......was Harbor Fright yesterday and they had a "better" kit like this right next to the generic one from them........twice the price........forgot the name brand but it had that same=look Harbor Fright PN box on the back..........I think they are trying to offer some better quality tools for those who want them.......not a bad idea as long as they really better.........
For free as well.
What's up with all the periods.
Hey guy haven't watched any of it stuff in a few days it's brass lol stuff I'm looking into that's for sure man Iv been doing well
Boughten??
5:13 "Not nearly as hard as the other one, but still requires some lubrication to push it in."
oops, tore the o-ring
They both don't work well. I had a really hard time getting a power steering pulley off a 98 mustang. I don't know why they didn't just bolt it on like the water pump pulley. It's a stupid ways to Uninstaller and install something.
Yeah when it comes to a Pulley Set I wouldn't by the Harbor Freight one I would get the OTC one.
agreed
I bought that harbor freight kit ti do a pully this past weekend. I taught t was absolute GARBAGE!! I'll be returning it.
The harbor freight set is made out of Velveeta cheese. I used it for one pulley, returned it, and bought a better one.
Maybe he should of also returned the car if he had to replace the exact same pulley twice.
I really like some hft just got to be very pickie what you buy but Justin your right why pay for a cheap tool that won't last spend the money once on a great tool that won't let you down on a important job reminds me of a friend I got this nut always buys used tires like twice a year I tell him for the price of them tires twice a year get 4 new ones that will last 40,50,sometimes 60,000 miles just like his parts he always gets cheap ass shit from places like Wal-Mart buy GOOD ONCE !
Why buy a set when the auto parts store will either loan you or rent you one for a small fee if you buy the power steering pump from them.
Yup. Pay a deposit and get it back 100% when the tool is returned. AKA = free storage.
Oem ftw
depends on how often you use these kits i found the harbor fright kit made by pitsberg steel just as good as matco as matco as well as snapon are made in china as well .pitsberg tools makes good tools i own from all tool companies ,i dont agree with this guy ,the best tool you can get is the one you can replace in a hurry ,your boss is not going to wait 6 months for the snapon to bring your speciality tool ,where as you can buy local from sears or the auto parts store and get a faster replacement
Whats a Roebuck?
Maddox? From HF
Say boughten one more time......
Wichone is more expensed
dont bother with the cheap soft chinese pullers .not worth the hassle or pully 1/2 on before bolt twists off. hose clamp works better than ring on cheap sets/
harber freight one sucks .. it broke first use
Kind of a stupid comparison 18.00 vs 80.00 Thats like comparing a Chevette to a Corvette you get what you pay for and If comparing Them show Them Both being Used as well because If not Then its Just a Opinion. Home Depot has a kit for 17.00 compare that to the HF as Im pretty sure any HF Tool Isnt going to compare to a Matco or Blue Point or Snap On.........
Just go to advance and rent it. Get all your money back
Not a bad idea, but I'm a mechanic by trade and it's a tool that has paid for itself time and time again. As for my weekend warriors... Yes absolutely. Rent it until it becomes a need.
Bottom line is Harbor Freight junk is just that, JUNK. No different than buying off brand cheap auto parts. You get what you pay for.
David Bottles actually their wrench sets aren’t bad for the money. I have several and if I need to modify a wrench they work good
That hand moving around in the video is very off putting. I'm out.
Harbor freight is a junk