Review on Steck Manufacturing 71410 Axle Popper Tool Kit by Rob Dixon

Bought to remove the rear axle from a Ford Explorer. I replaced the rear wheel bearing. The axle was stuck in the hub and wouldn't pull out with the standard hub puller, forcing me to remove the hub, knuckle and axle together. After a few hours of unsuccessful attempts with various crowbars and hammers, I finally bought this tool. The axle was stuck and I was beginning to wonder if I could even get it out, even with the axle ejector. . Part of the problem I found after I finally got the axle out was that the tool was hanging on the axle seal when I tried to insert it between the axle and the diff case. When he finally bent the sealing lip far enough to get it all the way in, he immediately popped the axle out. I widened the end of the tool a bit and I can see the indentation where it meets the seal, which makes me wonder at the softness of the tool and the ig that it won't last long. It doesn't seem as complicated as the ball joint and tie rod forks. That's why I'm giving it 4 stars and not 5. This tool was worth the money and really saved my life and I would advise anyone who is into CV axles to get one just in case. Incidentally, the 20-ton press could not loosen the axle from the hub either!