The Mueller-Kueps Twin Cone Wheel Bearing Kit, No. 432 005, removes wheel bearings. The cone goes through the center of the bearing, then locks in place with a spindle and two nuts. Using a slide hammer, technicians can then remove the wheel bearing. The kit contains two sets of three cones in various sizes.
The Review
Removing hub bearings on cars and light duty trucks can easily be a two-person job, but Eric Moore of DeMary Truck in Columbus, Ohio, says he found a tool that eliminates the need of that second pair of hands."The Mueller Kueps Twin Cone Wheel Bearing Kit was essential for being productive when removing hub bearings on cars and light duty trucks," Moore said. "The taper design really keeps the adapters centered, making it easier for one person to do the job instead of having two people trying to keep everything aligned while working the impact."
At DeMary Truck the bearing kit was used for hub bearing removal on cars like a 2001 Volkswagen GTI, 2006 Nissan Altima, 2013 Volkswagen CC, a 1996 BMW 3 series, and 2007 Honda Accord.
Moore says he is impressed with the tapered cones design, and that it especially make a difference when working on European cars that still use a ball and race hub bearing set up. Moore also used the kit as pusher/puller for bearing races on smaller Mitsubishi-Fuso trucks.
To do similar kind of work, technicians at DeMary Truck previously used a Hub-Shark, which is a similar tool with a lot of attachments, as well as a puller head that has adjustable legs for different size hubs. But Moore says the Mueller Kueps product stands out.
"None of those adapters are tapered like the Mueller Kueps Twin Cone Wheel Bearing Kit," Moore says. "The taper really does help by keeping the work aligned."
Moore says he would like to see a smaller version of the tool released in the future, as it would come in handy for applications where larger adapters won't fit.
"I could see a smaller version being used heavily in the motorcycle and power sports area," Moore predicts. "Lots of those vehicles still use ball and race style bearings for steering heads, suspension, and even wheel bearings."
There was no manual included with his kit, and there no setup required besides choosing the adapter size and threading it through the work, Moore says.
"It is very easy to use; Everything fits together nicely," Moore says.
