Ball Joint press
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 7
From: Belgrade, MT
Ball Joint press
Will be ball joint time shortly for me. has anyone here ever bought or used one of these Ebay presses? Any good, or chinese junk?
Astro Pneumatic Ball Joint Press & 4 Wheel Tool kit - eBay (item 380176988245 end time Dec-11-09 17:39:33 PST)
thanks, Tom
Astro Pneumatic Ball Joint Press & 4 Wheel Tool kit - eBay (item 380176988245 end time Dec-11-09 17:39:33 PST)
thanks, Tom
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Harbor freight has the same kind for 50 bucks. I've had good luck with it, considering it only gets used 1-2 times per year.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=4065
They also have 20% off one item coupons in most magazines near the back (i get them all the time in my motorcycle magazines), so it would be even cheaper than that.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=4065
They also have 20% off one item coupons in most magazines near the back (i get them all the time in my motorcycle magazines), so it would be even cheaper than that.
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 7
From: Belgrade, MT
Thanks
Thanks for the fast replies.
Have decided to just buy one as its 50 miles round trip to my nearest Autozone/etc to rent one, have done that in the past. Father inlaws GMC needs ball joints, and my driver side has been clunking the last 4 days, pretty sure it will need them as well, just have to jack it up on my day off tomorrow and see.
The wife will be in billings tomorrow, so may have her swing by harbor freight, as that one (160miles) is the nearest one to me.
living in Mt has its advantages, but convenience of parts and tools isn't one of them, lol
thanks, tom
Have decided to just buy one as its 50 miles round trip to my nearest Autozone/etc to rent one, have done that in the past. Father inlaws GMC needs ball joints, and my driver side has been clunking the last 4 days, pretty sure it will need them as well, just have to jack it up on my day off tomorrow and see.
The wife will be in billings tomorrow, so may have her swing by harbor freight, as that one (160miles) is the nearest one to me.
living in Mt has its advantages, but convenience of parts and tools isn't one of them, lol
thanks, tom
of American machinists
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 0
From: NORTH IDAHO
Tom, even with the 4wd "heavy duty "presses you may need some additional spacers to get everything out. It helps to have some scrap iron like a one inch plate with a 1.375 hole in it. Or some pieces of steel tubing. I can post a pic tonight of the piece I made.
ETA: Dont forget some anti seize on the threads of the tool!
ETA: Dont forget some anti seize on the threads of the tool!
Last edited by Waltdog; Dec 10, 2009 at 02:16 PM. Reason: add info
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 7
From: Belgrade, MT
tips
Thanks for the tips Walt, i have a pretty good scrap iron pile, so should be able to fabricate something from there. Look forward to the pics.
thanks, tom
thanks, tom
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,298
Likes: 25
From: Damon (South East Texas)
I have the Harbor Freight ball joint press. They also sell a companion set with adaptors and tubes that work with the standard ball joint press. It works great on the 4x4's. I have done a done an F150, F250, and an F350 dually with mine. You can't beat it for the money. I bought mine off ebay with shipping for ~ $90 for both sets. I have seen both sets at the local Harbor Freight store.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
From: Valley Center, Kansas
My only suggestion is make sure that it has the deep socket in the kit, when I rented mine the kit was short that one part. Had to go rent the 4X4 kit along with it to make it work. In the picture, it is the one on the lower right side.
Good luck and have fun, it is not that bad to do.
Doc.
Good luck and have fun, it is not that bad to do.
Doc.
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 7
From: Belgrade, MT
Thanks
Thanks all, I have the wife armed with pictures of what i want from Harbor Freight in Billings tomorrow.
I know no other site with enough knowledge to arm my wife for tool shopping, thanks all, I really appreciate it!
Tom
I know no other site with enough knowledge to arm my wife for tool shopping, thanks all, I really appreciate it!
Tom
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Eaton, CO
I bought an OTC ball joint press and a Ford truck adapter kit. It worked great for the ball joints and sway bar eye links. It wouldn't touch the axle joints. I had to have those pressed out with a big hydraulic press. I've heard those Harbor Freight presses bend.
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 7
From: Belgrade, MT
Hoping
I am hoping the harbor freight press will get through a dozen or so ball joints. i don't do this for a living, just trying to get through 4 or 5 trucks with it, which will more than pay for the fuel on a rental in my case. Will keep my fingers crossed.....
Thanks, tom
Thanks, tom
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Let 'em bend, they still do the job.
The second video really shows the load that they will carry.
Make sure that you grease the threads of the ball joint press before you embark on a job like this.
YouTube - 1979 VW Bus Ball Joint Removal
YouTube - 1979 VW Bus Upper Ball Joint Remove
