Review on OTC 4579 9 Way Hammer Puller by Jermaine Shuster

I bought this to replace a front wheel bearing assembly (all in one) on a 16 year old Subaru Impreza. After several hours of unsuccessfully trying to assemble the knuckle assembly using a punch, a penetrant, a torch, and a two foot long pry bar, I gave in and bought this tool. All I can say is "Wow"! I was concerned that the 5lb weight wasn't enough due to my struggles, but it only took about 10 hits and the hub snapped right out of the bearing assembly. Remember I am a grown man of average height and strength. In my case the knot was still rusted up to the ankle so I attached it directly to the knot hoping it would do the job. At first I was very concerned that I was SOL with a knot that wouldn't untie given the reasons above, but this tool also pulled the knot out of the joint in 10 strokes. The knuckle/assembly mating surface was so badly rusted that I had to hammer in a new assembly. This thing, however, pulled him out with relative ease. I can't speak for large vehicles, but this thing saved my rear end in an emergency. As the saying goes, you don't need a tool until you do! In addition, many different assembly pullers are included, so its usefulness should extend well beyond hubs and bearing assemblies (see photo). OTC generally produces high quality instruments and the 4579 is no exception. If you need a slide hammer (or are an avid shade tree mechanic) I would definitely recommend this set. The case is, as you'd expect, pretty solid with every bracket in the kit fitting snugly against the case. My only concern is that the three small nuts do not have adequate storage space and therefore tend to rattle when carrying the case. This is my only complaint. That, plus my inability to stop saying "Dat slide hamma". Of course the effectiveness of the tool depends on the use/use, but in my case I would like to buy it sooner so my car doesn't have to be jacked up several times. days! It's worth it when you need it (or foresee it)! Yes, similar equipment can be bought from Harbor Freight for less money, but in my opinion if you go to the trouble of chiseling metal parts you might need a quality tool as well. Don't forget goggles and molybdenum grease to protect the threads. Happy cotton!