CTA Tools 8099 Push Puller

Works great recommend for the bearing separatater.

really good for MT

Used it yesterday finally to pull a bearing off a air handler unit Work as expected

O.k. This thing does not work like the old style Push/Puller (such as the OTC 927)!!! Whether you call it a pusher or puller depends upon the perspective you're looking at, I guess, meaning that you can indeed pull something relative to another thing, or push something relative to another thing. But, classically, a true push/puller would allow you to push or pull either parts relative to each other, regardless of which perspective you have about which thing is being pulled or pushed! Let me explain that statement by describing how a push/puller should work (as opposed to just a classic "puller," which is what the CTA 8099 really and only is): A push/puller should have a "cross block" (the silver, retangular part shown in the pictures) that has a simple, non-threaded through-hole in the center. The "forcing screw" (the large, threaded black screw in the pictures) should be able to freely slide through this center hole. The "forcing nut" then becomes the means by which one exerts force biased against the cross block. Once one connects the "leg bolts" to the cross block via the "sliding plates," one can then use the forcing nut to push OR pull, by holding the forcing screw axially-stationary by the square flats on the outer end of the forcing screw while turning the forcing nut. Depending on whether one has put the forcing nut inboard or outboard of the crossblock will determine which way the force is applied to the system. The forcing screw also is supposed to have a short, smaller-diameter threaded section on the pointed end, that allows one to securely attach accessories to the forcing screw itself. This feature, coupled with the fact that the forcing screw is supposed to be able to slide freely through the cross block (with any force being applied by the addition of a forcing nut instead of force being created by the interaction of the outer threads of the forcing screw and inner threads on cross block hole itself), is what ultimately allows a device to be considered a true push/puller. You see, in a setup like I've just described, one can use the forcing screw to pull AND push relative to an otherwise stationary system. An ordinary puller simply can't do this. Let me give you an example: I had hoped to use this CTA push/puller to be able to "pull" a hollow, tapered bushing out of a boss in an aluminum housing. The bushing does not have an outer flange which can be used to "pull" it out of the housing, nor will the housing allow the puller to be put on the back-side of the housing in order to "push" it out. Therefore, by using a true "push/puller," I could insert the forcing screw through the center of the bushing, attach onto the smaller-diameter threaded section of the forcing screw a "pulling plate" that is of a larger diameter than the through hole of the bushing but of a smaller diameter than the boss-hole in the housing. Then, I could slide the cross block onto the forcing screw, attach the leg bolts so that they are resting against the aluminum housing which holds the bushing, and lastly thread the forcing nut onto the forcing screw. Finally, by using one wrench to tighten down the forcing nut while simultaneously using a second wrench to keep the forcing screw from turning at all, I can "pull" the bushing out of the housing. This action simply is NOT possible with a puller that has a threaded crossbar because in order to actuate a force, one would have to turn the forcing screw. If one turned the forceing screw, the attached "pulling plate" would be screwed off the end of the forcing screw as the forcing screw is retracted through the cross block, which would ultimately defeat the purpose. And this is exactly why the CTA 8099 puller wouldn't work in this application and exactly why this tool does not really qualify to be described as a true "Push/Puller!" In its current form, the CTA 8099 doesn't not match it's product description, nor does it match the pictures on Amazon and on CTA's website. The 8099 does NOT have a forcing screw that has a short, smaller-diameter threaded section on the pointed end, does NOT have a non-threaded cross block, and does NOT have the same heavy-duty forcing nut that's pictured. Further, since the cross block is threaded, the forcing nut that is included is redundant, and therefore useless anyway. And, because of all these discrepencies and deficits, the CTA 8099 cannot function as a true "push/puller" as described and pictured, and I'm therefore returning it for a refund.P.S. If all you need is a mere "puller" to remove a bearing from a shaft, for example, the CTA 8099 seems fairly well built, and would probably serve well in that capacity. Its just that CTA shouldn't market this a "push/puller," and should update its product description and pictures to describe and show exactly what this thing is. CTA, why includ a "forcing nut" at all? Since the cross block is threaded, a forcing nut is completely redundant! So, if you're looking at this as a cheaper alternative to the OTC 927, it's not. The CTA 8099 has half the functionality! (Even the newest OTC 927's are a bit crippled, because they no longer have the smaller threaded section on the forcing screw, which means they won't work with some specialty automotive accessory tools like the old 927's would.)

I knocked 2 stars off because the item received varies from the picture (major pet peeve) and there are some design issues. But it does the job for which I purchased it.The link bars are threaded 5/8"-18 on the bottom, and have 3/8" studs on the top. These were much thicker than they appear in the pic, but the spreader plates that go on them were much flimsier than pictured. They come with hex adapters for a pushing application.The crossbar is threaded for the forcing screw, which is odd considering the item comes with a forcing nut (which was just a standard nut and not the heavy duty one pictured). So good luck getting 10 tons of force with the 1/2" wrench flat on the screw (rather than using the nut to apply force).Ultimately, I'm ok with this tool. The materials appear to be higher quality than your average pot metal cheapy. And the crossbar could be drilled-out if I can't generate enough force the way it is. I'll report back if I have major issues with it.