I am planning on replacing my ball joints and U-Joints in the front axle come winter. 2002 F-250 5.4L 4WD CCLB with 235,000 miles. It's time. I swear I think everything is original. I am the only owner of the truck, never recall having it done but now most of the truck work is something I am able to accomplish. But in securing some of the install aides, I am looking to rent (first) or buy (second) the tool that seats the seal on the knuckle. Does anyone know the best way to get one. Is it called the "axle seal tool". It's that large steel ring/shaft device that seats the seal correctly in the knuckle.
Thanks!!

 

a 12" length of 1 1/2 or 2"" pipe, pipe cap, and a 4 hole flange. Boom, tool, $20. You might have to grind a little off the circumference of the flange so it just fits inside the spindle

 

home depot
303 2X12
511-408HN
511-608HN

I was mistaken, its 15, 5 and 12, 32 total for the parts to build it. You'd save money if a 1 1/2 setup could work. I built one years ago and then lost it in a move, have to do it again soon.

 

It was $15 when I made one a LONG time ago.

 

The pipe ones are meh, ok

Amazon is your friend. LOTS of imports like ecowlboy (don't ask me) and TONS in warehouse deals, likely from people "renting" from Amazon

 

I've used my homebuilt pipe one many times now over the years and for me it works fine.

 

Here's a "Yoursme" brand for $27.83 in AWD:

I paid $26 for my ecowlboy on Amazon (also AWD). For that price no way I'm cobbling together pipe

Obviously, AWD is a huge YMMV

 

location, location, location. I'm in Canada and so your amazon link defaults to .ca where it's $89.59 and would take a week to get to me. Was just piping up(see what I did there?) to say the homejobby's do work just fine. Took me a stop at my local(not amazon) hardware store and a beer or two to 'cobble' together at home about 10+ years ago and has successfully installed seals in atleast three trucks I can think of off the top of my head.

I've had **** poor luck with chinese tools off of amazon, specifically seal drivers. last year I ordered a 'proper' seal driver for seating the inner axle seals. POS cost me two seals before I cobbled together my own contraption from junk I had lying around my shop and successfully got it done. Different seals/tool obviously but I'm leery now. Read the reviews....carefully.