Tools

OTC Hub Grappler: Complete Solution for Wheel Hubs and Bearings

OTC Hub Grappler Kit services wheel hubs & bearings on-vehicle without removing the knuckle—saves time; no press or alignment needed.

Todd Bandel

04 Sep 2026 • 7 min read

The OTC Hub Grappler Kit (product number 6575) is an automotive mechanic's tool built for one job: removing and installing wheel hubs and bearings without removing the steering knuckle from the vehicle. Here is what the kit does, what it includes, how it works, and whether it makes sense for your shop.

OTC Hub Grappler Overview

The OTC Hub Grappler is a professional hub and wheel bearing service kit used on front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles from the late 1990s through model year 2018 (per the included application guide).

The kit allows technicians to remove and install wheel hubs and bearings on-vehicle, without disconnecting steering components or pulling the knuckle. It is compatible with an impact gun, which matters when you're fighting corroded, seized hubs common in rust-belt and high-salt states.

OTC is a brand under Bosch Automotive Service Solutions. Note that in finance, OTC stands for Over-the-Counter and refers to decentralized markets; there is no financial product called the "OTC Hub Grappler." This is strictly a mechanical tool designed for wheel hub service.

The 6575 is considered a complete solution in the OTC hub service lineup, sometimes referred to alongside the older Hub Tamer. An update kit (6575-2) exists for owners of legacy Hub Tamer tools and is covered below.

Core benefits at a glance:

Allows servicing wheel hubs directly on the vehicle, cutting service time on bearing jobs from hours to minutes in many cases
Eliminates unnecessary alignments by keeping the knuckle, tie rod ends, and ball joints undisturbed
Protects wheel bearing outer race surfaces during press-in and press-out
Designed to produce maximum pulling force with minimal effort via the forcing screw and impact wrench

OTC Hub Grappler Kits 6575

Complete Solution for Servicing Vehicle Wheel Hubs and Bearings without Removing Steering Components or Knuckle

Summit Racing Equipment

Amazon

What the OTC 6575 Hub Grappler Kit Includes

The hub grappler kit is a modular system of 39 pieces, sized and organized to match different wheel hubs and bearings across a wide range of vehicle platforms. The kit weighs about 54 lbs and measures roughly 26 × 15 × 8 inches.

Key component groups:

Forcing screw and reaction nuts: A high-strength impact-rated drive screw (¾-inch, heat-treated to last 5 to 10 times longer than comparable screws) with an equalizer washer. Accepts a ½-inch drive impact gun.
Puller bar with jaws: The hub grappler features a specialized puller bar with sliding jaws that grip the hub flange without fasteners, making setup quick.
Hub and bearing adapters: Six adapters sized for different hub applications, plus two Ford axle installers. Adapters increase application coverage across domestic and import platforms.
Cups, sleeves, and support plates: Arranged to press only on the wheel bearing outer race, protecting both the knuckle bore and the new bearing from damage.
Blow-molded case: Ships with labeled pockets so each adapter can be quickly located by the technician working on the vehicle.

The kit also ships with an Application Guide (6575MAN-18) covering information for properly fitting hub applications through model year 2018. Like most professional tools in this category, the product includes a California Proposition 65 notice, as certain chemicals in metals and lubricants used in the kit are known to the state of California to expose users to substances that may cause cancer or reproductive harm.

Another Great Option

OTC 6575H Hydraulic Hub Grappler Kit with Storage Cases

Includes a Through Hole Ram, Air/Hydraulic Pump, 6 ft. Hose with Couplers, Drive Screw, and Accessories

Summit Racing Equipment

Amazon

How the Hub Grappler Works on Wheel Hubs and Wheel Bearing Replacement

The OTC Hub Grappler is designed to press the wheel hub and wheel bearing in and out of the steering knuckle while the knuckle stays bolted to the vehicle. The process keeps the tie rod ends and lower ball joints connected, which preserves alignment geometry and reduces the risk of damaging those parts.

A typical front wheel bearing job with this kit follows these steps:

Remove the wheel, axle nut, brake caliper, and rotor to expose the hub face and knuckle.
Select the correct adapters from the application guide based on the make, model, and year of the vehicle.
Assemble the adapters, support plates, and jaws around the hub and knuckle so that force is directed axially through the hub or bearing outer race.
Use the forcing screw with an impact gun to push the hub out of the bearing, or press the bearing out of the knuckle. The tool eliminates the requirement for a stationary hydraulic shop press.
For installation, reverse the adapter arrangement, press the new wheel bearing into the knuckle, then press the hub through the bearing. Torque the axle nut to the manufacturer's spec.

Because adapters support only the outer race during pressing, the rollers and inner race of the new bearing are never loaded. This prevents brinelling and premature failure.

OTC 6575-2 Hub Tamer Update Kit and Compatibility

OTC offers the 6575-2 Hub Tamer Update Kit for shops that already own older Hub Tamer tools. The update kit adds the Hub Grappler puller assembly, six newer adapters, and updated hardware so the legacy kit reaches the same application coverage as the full 6575.

The 6575-2 extends coverage to later-model GM, Ford, and import front-wheel-drive platforms built after the mid-2000s, including larger unitized front wheel bearing assemblies and some rear wheel hubs on crossovers.
Forum reports on GarageJournal note that older Hub Tamer forcing screws were prone to bending under heavy load on seized hubs; the Grappler upgrade addresses that with the heat-treated screw.
The 6575-2C variant includes the blow-molded storage case (part 6575-4). Shops that want a complete solution without buying the full 6575 from scratch can order the update kit instead.

Advantages of Using a Hub Grappler vs. Traditional Methods

Traditional wheel bearing removal means removing the knuckle, disconnecting control arms, tie rod ends, and ball joints, then carrying the knuckle to a shop press. That process adds labor time, increases the chance of damaging parts, and usually requires a post-repair alignment check. The hub grappler approach skips all of that by keeping the knuckle on the vehicle.

OTC markets this kit on the basis of cutting service time on hub jobs, and technicians who use it report extracting frozen hubs in seconds rather than spending time with hammers, chisels, or heating torches.

Practical advantages:

Fewer steps, less labor: No need to unbolt the knuckle, disconnect steering components, or haul parts to a press. This eliminates unnecessary alignments, saving shops and customers $80 to $120 per job in alignment fees alone. And cutting service time dramatically!
Controlled force along the bearing axis: The adapters and puller bar keep the force axial, which reduces the chance of cracking aluminum knuckles or mushrooming hub flanges.
Repeatable process: The application guide and labeled adapters give busy shops a consistent, documented method for servicing wheel hubs across many vehicle platforms.
Longer part life: Pressing only on the outer race, combined with proper axle nut torque, helps the new wheel bearing and hub last for their full service life.

The OTC Hub Grappler Kit costs $1,029.32 at current pricing. The original price was $619.99. It is currently in stock and live for purchase on Summit Racing Equipment on Amazon, with shipping options varying by seller. Before you order, verify application coverage for your specific vehicle using the included guide or OTC's resources at https://www.otctools.com. For shops that handle even a few hub jobs per month, the kit pays for itself in saved labor and avoided comebacks within weeks.

Thank you for reading!

Your friend,

Todd

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