Used the HF kit, same one, about a year ago and got a wheel bearing race pulled and the whole thing re-installed, but afterward, noticed the threads on the bolt were damn near smoothed from just that one job. Did same wheel bearing job with the Astro kit ($55!) and had no problems at all. Noticed the bolt is a grade 8 instead of the unmarked HF bolt. I did return the HF kit, so no love lost. Keeping the Astro!
Astro & OTC seem to make some really good stuff. if i buy ANYTING from H.F., i research the CRAP out of it before i buy it. there are SOME really good deals and decent products, but i would never walk in there before i did a full day of research first. good video. keep up the reviews!
I have that same astro kit. Work in a professional shop and have no issues with it. Put my Matco 1,600 foot pound impact on it and let it eat. No issues at all.
Good advice & insight about the bearing kits. Thx. I'll probably look for and use an axial (thrust) bearing taking into account the axial load (parallel along the shaft) instead of the needle bearing for the bolt and washer setup. Good tip!
Hi, I have the 78830 Astro it’s very strong and pulls that bearing right out with my impact, your right it needs a thrush bearing on the head of the force bolt for a much smoother performance, I’m trying to locate one now, I’m glad I saw your video I was just about to get that Maddox from hf thinking it was better, otc press comes with the thrust bearing, for the price this Astro gets the job done, excellent quality video ty, Bob,
If someone knows the thrust bearing part number please put it below this will make the kit last so much longer put less stress on the threads and make it way easier to push the bearing out thanks great comment
@@mil-specmotorworks7805, I bought a press from Amazon, the company is, free tec, it came with a thrust bearing and I purchased a few more bearings, the company is, factory services tools, the bearing number, HTB 1pc, I got them from Amazon about a year ago, the press works better than the Astro,
Thanks for pointing out the true defiency in the most important piece of the kit; the nut/bolt. To keep machining costs down, they reduced the amount of threads inside that nut. Just to save a few pennies. What a load of BS! I'm going to buy a kit like this one day to avoid buying a shop press so I'll carefully check the nut to ensure its threaded full length!
Well i took a gamble and bought the Maddox one due to needing it now. I was pleasantly surprised when i opened the box and seen that Maddox replaced the bolt that was used in it previously. With a more heavy duty bolt and nut combo. Went to larger coarse threaded bolt.
Wow, when did you buy this? I bought this exact Maddox kit at HF in mid-2020 and the threads were MUCH coarser and tapped more deeply. In fact, it looks exactly like the Astro kit's bolt and nut. You definitely have to be careful when buying things at Harbor Freight and peek inside the cases because they source identical part numbers from different manufacturers.
Compare his part number from yours, sometimes harbor freight will have different part numbers for the same tool, that usually means it was made from a different country China or Tiawan.
Hi There, thx for the comparison, just wondering if you used an impact drive, because got a new one (another brand) and inside the case a yellow sticker saying : ''DO NOT USE WITH AN IMPACT DRIVE'' , That may be the raison of the damage??
I never got the yellow sticker I used an impact I guess they changed it now but the Astro I use the impact all the time and it's perfectly fine it's way better quality Steel
I just got a no name 31-piece kit off Evil Bay for like $60 because HF was $120. It does have the bearing washer you said the Astro should have. Going to try it for the first time now. But for a no name kit, it sure does have more thought put into it than HF. No instructions tho.
Yeah and put some grease on the threads seems to help people as well. Alot of people are using an impact on the Harbor freight tool and they say it's not recommended for a impact gun.
And also like I said in my statement last year if you get one of those stud installers that would alleviate the friction from the boat turning and all the pressure will be on the screw pulling out the bearing
And also like I said in my statement last year if you get one of those stud installers that would alleviate the friction from the boat turning and all the pressure will be on the screw pulling out the bearing
Granted its a POS you dont need the threads to be all the way thru on the coupling nut. You want it for the length. Astro for sure the better kit tho when it comes to taking out bushings.
It's really weird. I just watched another video and I looked at 1 of these kids in the store and it came with a gold Bolt And the other video showed the bolt holding up to an impact gun. Wonder if harbor freight upgraded after failures
Shit I just got the HF kit. I have a side job on a Jeep Patriot front wheel bearing tomorrow. Worst case I’ll pull the knuckle and bring it to work. My plan was once the screw strips out I’ll get the screw from a higher quality kit. Hopefully I can at least get this job done and break even on it.
Yeah me too, Astro makes the best tools for the money , I've been buying more of their products instead of Harbor Freight, and I'm extremely satisfied with everything they make , I'm on a budget with my business when it comes to buying tools and the crazy thing is ,its the same price if not cheaper than Harbor Freight specialty tools , is pro-grade I've done 3 wheel bearings so far with it, the Harbor Freight couldn't even do one without stripping. The only thing its is missing is a needle bearing washer to make it perfect, if anyone knows where to find needle bearing washer or a part number let us know
