ball joint press info needed
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 922
Likes: 7
I've used the press for numerous things since. It works great. See them used for sale on facebook or craigslist as well.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
When I did my 2001 I tried the ball joint presses you can rent. They all suck. Do yourself a favor and get the 20 ton harbor freight shop press. It's frequently on sale for 140 bucks. Well worth it and SO much easier. SOOO much easier. Use sockets to press with. Do make sure the knuckle is supported when you press the balljoints out so the knuckle doesn't take the pressure.
I've used the press for numerous things since. It works great. See them used for sale on facebook or craigslist as well.
I've used the press for numerous things since. It works great. See them used for sale on facebook or craigslist as well.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 922
Likes: 7
You've been told wrong. You can remove the knuckle.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 145
From: San Diego, CA
After that fiasco I went to a 20 ton press. Night and day. I wouldn't think of doing it any other way.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 922
Likes: 7
I tried the ball joint "press" that is just a giant C-clamp thing. Short of buying one I could only find one that hadn't been bent. Any bend makes it nearly impossible to use to begin with because of the sizes we're dealing with for ball joints.
After that fiasco I went to a 20 ton press. Night and day. I wouldn't think of doing it any other way.
The ball joints are seated in the knuckle. Once you remove all the interference (brakes, hub, axle) it comes off fairly easily. Just make sure you are ready when you knock it loose...it's not light. Easiest way is to leave the nut partially threaded on the ball joint so the whole thing does fall off when it pops lose from the axle housing.
After that fiasco I went to a 20 ton press. Night and day. I wouldn't think of doing it any other way.
The ball joints are seated in the knuckle. Once you remove all the interference (brakes, hub, axle) it comes off fairly easily. Just make sure you are ready when you knock it loose...it's not light. Easiest way is to leave the nut partially threaded on the ball joint so the whole thing does fall off when it pops lose from the axle housing.
That shop press is a bit of an investment but it's still cheaper than having it done at a shop.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 145
From: San Diego, CA
I was lucky enough to have access to an auto shop on a military base so had various pieces of metal plates and large sockets to use. My first attempt ended up with the knuckle coming loose under pressure and shooting down and bouncing off the ground, leaving a nice divot in the cement. Definitely take your time and make sure everything is lined up before you lean on it to pop the ball joints out.
Just my .02
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 23
OTC c clamp ball joint press here. And it has done more balljoints than I can recall. I have a shop press too but always use the OTC as it's easier and works flawlessly. I can't imagine trying to support and line up a knuckle in a shop press when with the c clamp it's easy peasy.
More Turbo
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 578
Likes: 146
From: Salisbury, MD
OTC c clamp ball joint press here. And it has done more balljoints than I can recall. I have a shop press too but always use the OTC as it's easier and works flawlessly. I can't imagine trying to support and line up a knuckle in a shop press when with the c clamp it's easy peasy.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 922
Likes: 7
OTC c clamp ball joint press here. And it has done more balljoints than I can recall. I have a shop press too but always use the OTC as it's easier and works flawlessly. I can't imagine trying to support and line up a knuckle in a shop press when with the c clamp it's easy peasy.
By supporting the knuckle I mean supporting it on the inside so you won't put pressure on the back of the knuckle. Childs play.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 922
Likes: 7
Don't use the rental clamps. Most are bend, have busted treads (people not using oil) and/or are just not beefy enough for the big superduty knuckles. Been there done that. Don't think the car shops rent out the otc clamp.
More Turbo
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 578
Likes: 146
From: Salisbury, MD
Got an OTC clamp so that is good to go, just wanting to make sure I have the correct adapters, not exactly nailed that down as to what I need. I can't find anything on using a cut down pipe as to what size or length.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 922
Likes: 7
It should come w the right adapters. Sometimes you can use big sockets. It will make sense once you have the knuckle off the truck.