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Forget Stuffing Grease, Go with Springer
Three sizes ease clutch repairs for home-based 'gearheads'
Doug Smock, Contributing Editor -- Design News, September 21, 2008
METALSCLUTCH PILOT BUSHING TOOL #22002, #22003, SPRINGERTOOL
Aimed at “gearheads” who work on their own cars, the Clutch Pilot Bushing Tool removes worn-out clutch pilot bushings in vehicles with manual transmissions. “This little tool was inspired by necessity when trying to get the clutch pilot bushing (bearing) out of my CJ7 Jeep,” says Jon Springer, an electrical engineer who started SpringerTool in Riverton, WY. “The popular advice is to stuff grease behind it and hydraulically pressure it out ... not acceptable, nor, was an expensive commercial tool. Last time I used a hacksaw. I went to the hardware store and, this is what evolved. I just knew that everybody needed one, so I decided to market it.” There are three sizes available. One fits bushings with .590 to .625 inch ID, which fits nearly every Chevy and most Jeeps. The “large” size, for bushing ID's of .625 to .750 inch, fits the newer YJ Jeeps and pickups. The small tool is for special requests. Springer's next project — a wireless, video-linked spotting scope for long-range target-shooters.
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The standard clutch bearing remover fits all sizes of bushings or bearings and sells for $11.44 at Amazon. It makes use of the hydraulic force from a standard grease gun and this is a standard item for mechanics to have and use. Getting all 3 sizes of the Springer tool will set someone back $75. Actually a universal pilot bearing puller that works with all sizes of pilot bearings can be bought for only $30 so there was no need to reinvent the wheel to produce a device selling for $25 that only works with 1/3 of the bearing sizes meaning the odds of having the correct one are 1 in 3. I would get the $12 grease gun version or second choice the $30 universal pilot bearing puller. No one thinking clearly would buy a $25 tool that has such a limited range of bearings with which it will work.
Bruce Stenman - 2009-6-7 18:25:31 EDT -
Not to rain on your parade, but a tool like this is available from Harbor Freight for around $40 or Snap On for $70. I have an old Kent-Moore tool like this that is maybe 40 years old. Your tool has potential because this type of tool is uncommon and a high quality one is either expensive or hard to find.
H. Fiedler - 2009-3-6 09:15:25 EDT
