3rd gen ball joint press

[DBentley]

Im ripping into the front end on my 06 in a week or so to do ball joints and need advice.

The good thing is the hubs have been off and never siezed about 1 year ago.

Anyone ever use a hydraulic press for the ball joints?

I have used the c clamp style with a long worm screw but they seem to take forever to keep re adjusting.

Any ideas on what I should use for a press to make this crapy job a little easier?

Thanks

Dave

 

[mwilson]

Im ripping into the front end on my 06 in a week or so to do ball joints and need advice.

The good thing is the hubs have been off and never siezed about 1 year ago.

Anyone ever use a hydraulic press for the ball joints?

I have used the c clamp style with a long worm screw but they seem to take forever to keep re adjusting.

Any ideas on what I should use for a press to make this crapy job a little easier?

Thanks

Dave

You realize that the ball joints are pressed into the axle tube on the third gens, not the steering knuckle??? I can't envision anything that would work except for a porta-power but even then you will have to keep adding and subtracting spacers plus have a good 75lbs of stuff to hold in place while running the ram out.



Maybe I'm not understanding your question, that is always a possibility with me... ...



Mike.

 

[DBentley]

I do know the ball joints are pressed into the axle tube.

If only they were on the knuckle it would be a treat to use my 20 ton press in the nice warm shop

As far as the ball joint press is there any that will make the job go smoother that the standard autozone rental type?

I have used the autozone rental press and it seemed maxed out when i did balljoints on a crown vic that were 1/2 the size of the dodge.

 

[Bob4x4]

otc works well

 

[EDankievitch]

Harbor Frieght has a kit that works and is not too pricy but you have to play with the adptors. SnapOn has really nice kit that I have browed from a friend a few times it is awesome but very pricy.

 

[rscurtis]

I bought a hardly used Snap-On BJP1 on ebay for just under $400. I haven't needed it yet, but will have it when I do. All the adapters snap together so you don't need a helper or three hands to use it. You could always buy one and resell it when you're done. $400 seems to be about what they go for. The set is over $600 new.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

otc works well

THIS. I bought my own OTC kit years back. Has already paid for itself about four times now.

 

[Alan Reagan]

I have the Snap0n BJP1 and supposedly it will do any domestic car or truck out there as well as most imports. The C-clamp is sturdy and the spacers lock in so you don't have to try to hold them in place while you are getting started. You can use an air ratchet to do the work. Look on Craigslist and Ebay. The last one I saw on Craigslist, the guy only wanted $200.

 

[DBentley]

Thanks guys.

I ended up using the loaner ball joint press from advance auto to save a few $$$ and it worked out great.

All the adapters were included and the press did the job.

The cost to buy it was only 100. 00 and loan it is free.

What a project doing ball joints is on these trucks.

My back still hurts