Ball joint tools
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Oregon City, Oregon
Ball joint tools
In the past few months, after discovering FTE 
and "drinking the Coolaid", I've been getting after some maint. needs on my truck and have found that my ball joints are worn on one side.
I've never replaced ball joints before but have been researching everything that I can find as time allows.
The delima that I have is this... I know that I can save some money if I do the work myself. I will also be able to ensure the quality of the work performed, I.E. seals and o-rings replaced and u-joints checked as they should be.
Is it worth it to purchase the ball joint press and the Ford kit or should I just rent it from the local parts store?
If purchase is the way to go, is Harbor Freight a bad idea on a specialty item such as this or will it work?
Any other maint. items that should be addressed while I'm in there?
I replaced the sealed wheel bearing assembly last year. I just re-lubed the needle bearings, shot grease in the ABS hole and lubed my ESOF hubs, checked my brakes and calipers and cleaned everything up in the process.
and "drinking the Coolaid", I've been getting after some maint. needs on my truck and have found that my ball joints are worn on one side.I've never replaced ball joints before but have been researching everything that I can find as time allows.
The delima that I have is this... I know that I can save some money if I do the work myself. I will also be able to ensure the quality of the work performed, I.E. seals and o-rings replaced and u-joints checked as they should be.
Is it worth it to purchase the ball joint press and the Ford kit or should I just rent it from the local parts store?
If purchase is the way to go, is Harbor Freight a bad idea on a specialty item such as this or will it work?
Any other maint. items that should be addressed while I'm in there?
I replaced the sealed wheel bearing assembly last year. I just re-lubed the needle bearings, shot grease in the ABS hole and lubed my ESOF hubs, checked my brakes and calipers and cleaned everything up in the process.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: Pekin,Indiana
The press from Harbor Freight will work fine. Both me and my fater have one. Just remember to spray the ball joints and any bolt or nut with PB Blaster before dis assemble. Also apply during re assembly. Let everything soak any sparay every fifteen minutes for about an hour and or even the day before. Dont forget to get a torque ratchet also. Me and my father both by tools from Harbor frieght all the impact tools sockets and ect work fine just remember there not Snap on. A tip while your removeing the ball joints hit the mount of the ball joint with a hammer with the press pressure on it and it with POP saveing your press. Good luck
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 7
From: Belgrade, MT
harbor freight
I bought the harbor freight 4x4 press for 50 bucks, and it worked fine on my truck, as well as my Tacoma. I figured the 50 bucks was worth it just to avoid the trips to town, its 20 miles round trip for me to hit a parts store, and fuel adds up.
That said, when I did my ball joints, i got the kit that parts guy Ed sells, it has every seal and O ring etc. I can't find the link right now, but I had to make a tool to seat the one seal.
I too shot the grease in the ABS while there, cleaned everything, and also added a 90 degree zerk to the upper ball joints so they are easier to grease. Had to file off a little bit of it to make sure the U joint cleared is all.
That said, when I did my ball joints, i got the kit that parts guy Ed sells, it has every seal and O ring etc. I can't find the link right now, but I had to make a tool to seat the one seal.
I too shot the grease in the ABS while there, cleaned everything, and also added a 90 degree zerk to the upper ball joints so they are easier to grease. Had to file off a little bit of it to make sure the U joint cleared is all.
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