What Is a Cotter Pin Puller?
Imagine being in the middle of a car repair job, trying to replace the brake caliper on your vehicle. As you try to remove the cotter pin securing the brake pad retaining bolt, you realize that the pin is stuck. It won't budge, no matter what you try.
Using pliers, hammers, clamps, vise grips, and other general tools doesn’t always help, and the more persistent you are in trying to pull the pin out, the more exposed you are to the risk of damaging the surrounding components. This is where a cotter pin puller comes in handy.
A cotter pin puller is a narrow, pointed tool that can easily remove stubborn cotters without damaging the surrounding hardware. In this post, we'll discuss what a cotter pin puller is and how to use one.
What Is a Cotter Pin Puller?
The most basic description of a cotter pin puller is that it's a tool used to remove cotter pins—those small, wiry metal fasteners commonly used to secure bolts, nuts, and other parts—from machinery to other components.
Cotter pin pullers look like a typical screwdriver, but instead of sporting a Philips, flat, or any other specialized head, these specialty tools have a pointy end that's bent by 90° near the end.
The needle nose end is usually inserted under the cotter pin (the O-loop formed at the end of the cotter pin), which allows the user to pull the cotter out of its slot. In addition, it makes removing or repositioning cotter pins fairly easy.
These hand tools are usually made of heavy-duty carbon steel, with comfortable grips resembling screwdrivers, awls, and chisels in appearance. Split pin removal tools, also known as cotter key extractors, are mostly used in automotive, industrial, and agricultural settings.
How to Use a Cotter Pin Puller
The cotter pin puller tool set is invaluable for removing cotter pins, especially in tough-to-reach areas, and these tool kits should be in any manufacturing or repair environment. To remove a cotter pin using a cotter pin puller, simply follow these steps:
- First, ensure that the size of the tool matches the size of the cotter pin's head. These pullers come in various sizes, and mismatching them can cause damage to the tool, the pin, or the machine assembly. Pins, while reusable, are relatively cheap to replace if damaged.
- Use your pliers to straighten the tines of the cotter pins to allow for the easier extraction of the pin.
- Insert the tool's needlepoint under the head of the cotter pin.
- Twist the tool slightly to loosen the cotter pin.
- Once the cotter pin is loose, gently lift or pull it out of its slot. Apply lubrication or thread-release product if necessary. Sometimes the grime and dirt prevent the pin from coming out.
Once the cotter pin is removed, you can straighten its tines using your pliers. This only applies if the pin hasn't been damaged.
Buy Cotter Pins and Pullers
Despite their relative simplicity, cotter pin removal tools make a massive difference in efficiency and safety in various mechanical applications. If you want to learn more about cotter pins and other types of fasteners, our team is here to help.