Howdy y’all. I have seen many threads addressing this but nobody seemed to have this issue. From all the other posts I’ve seen, it’s as easy as “put the autozone rental tool on the pulley and pull it off”

My pulley starts to bend and flex as more tension is added to the puller. Here is a picture of what the puller I rented looks like.
https://imgur.com/a/wMB3eA7

maybe I am using the wrong puller, or have it set up the wrong way? Or maybe I just have to apply some heat beforehand being that it’s 31 years old.

Thank you!

 

You are using the wrong puller. The correct puller will mount to the center part of the pulley where the groove is just ahead of where the threaded part of your puller is currently sitting. I'll see if I can find my puller and snap a picture of the parts for you. It consists of two halves that go into that groove and around to the backside of the puller nut and then a cage that keeps them in place.

*EDIT* - Found it:


I couldn't find the rest of the pieces, but it is basically the same kit as this .

 

Thanks swartllk, you're always the most helpful!

For anyone else reading this, AutoZone seems to recently have picked up another supplier for their loan-a-tools, and the newer one is called "Universal Pulley Puller" which is the incorrect tool. I had to ask the if they still had that mat that is usually on the counter, and point out the tool on there. It doesn't even come up in their system anymore with a simple search, it takes a little more digging to find it, but they should have it at most AutoZones. I got the correct tool today and should be able to pop it off when I get home from work.