Dust Cover Removal Tool

[tzins]

Could someone please tell me what the short cylinder, welded on to the side of the jaws on this tool, is used for?

[skipskip]

Tapping on wheel weights?

Tapping the dust cover  back on?

[Papaw]

Probably both.

[john k]

This tool was made for the mechanic re-packing wheel bearings.   All the rear wheel drive cars before the 80s, had front wheel bearings requiring repacking at regular intervals.  The jaws are made for pulling off the pressed tin dust cap, without distorting it.   The metal slug served as a hammer to tap it back on.  Most of us got by with a pair of Channel-locks and a screwdriver. 

[1930]

This tool was made for the mechanic re-packing wheel bearings.   All the rear wheel drive cars before the 80s, had front wheel bearings requiring repacking at regular intervals.  The jaws are made for pulling off the pressed tin dust cap, without distorting it.   The metal slug served as a hammer to tap it back on.  Most of us got by with a pair of Channel-locks and a screwdriver.

Thats what I still use

[rusty]

They also don't really work all that much better than channel locks and a screw driver.

Changed and packed wheel bearings on a boat trailor for a buddy a while back (they still do it the old fashioned way) and decided to try out the nifty cap removal tool, now that I finally own one, after 30 years of doing it the hard way.
Tugged, wiggled, pried, swore*. Cap wouldn't budge. Gave up, used the 8 oz brass hammer and channel locks....sigh


*No, I have never had swearing at it make something work, oddly, but it seems to make me happier about it ;P

[Lostmind]

I have one I bought new ,maybe 20 years ago. I agree ,they can mess up the dust cap as well as a pair of Channel locks can.The caps with the sharp edges come off pretty easy , but the ones with rounded edges are a pain.

[tzins]

I thank everyone who replied. I really appreciate the information.

[krusty the clown]

those are VIM 216 grease cap pliers