How to Use a Vise Grip Slide Puller
A vise grip slide puller is similar to regular pliers but with a locking feature. The vise grip jaw, which is the part used to grasp the part, can be set at a specific angle by securing it with the built-in locking mechanism. This ensures that there is a grip on the part without having to use force on the handle of the tool like you would with regular pliers.
This adjustable mechanism can aid in holding on to smaller parts such as nails with a broken head that need to be removed. It also eases the amount of strength needed to grip unto items and for parts that would need to be clamped for lengthy periods.
What are the Common Uses of Vise Grip Slide Puller?
The vise grip slider puller is a vise grip with an extended slide hammer. The vise grip holds unto the part securely while some force is used to slide the hammer back and forth on the slide rod. This added force easily removes items and is commonly used as a:
- Car body and dent puller
- Cotter pin puller
- Door hinge puller
- Dowel pin puller
- Flywheel puller
- Moon key puller
- Nail puller
How To Use Vise Grip Slide Puller To Fix Constant Velocity Joints
Constant Velocity (CV) Joints in cars are often times difficult to remove by pulling and tugging with your bare hands. For this, a vice grip slider puller may have to be used to provide added force. The vice grip would offer a tight grip to the CV joint attached to the car, freeing both hands to hold and pull on the slide puller. A slide puller is a long pole with a heavy sliding weight which is pulled gently toward the part and forcefully away from the part in an attempt to knock the part out of its socket.
The part of the CV joint that usually gets stuck during removal, is the boot. Fortunately, it can be detached using the vise grip slider puller. The first task once everything is removed such as the CV axle, is to ensure that the slide puller is secured tightly to the vise grip. It is important that the teeth of the vice grip are not worn out because this would cause a weakened grip on the CV boot.
Then, attach the vice grip to the boot and use the built-in locking mechanism to tightly secure it. Use one hand to hold the T-handle of the slide puller firmly while the other hand is placed on the slide hammer. Gently push the slide hammer toward the CV boot and use a force to slide the hammer away from the CV boot. This back and forth motion should be done several times, checking every few times to ensure that the vice grip is secure. If the vice grip becomes loose, then re-attach it to a different area on the CV boot. Constant repetition of these actions will cause the CV boot to become loose and the part can be replaced with a new CV Joint.