Ball Joint Press

[MoparDave]

Looking for a Ball joint press that works well on our trucks. Need to add it to my tool chest along with a 1 11/16th socket for when the time comes. Was looking OTC 7249 but i think i will need a larger receiver

 

[mwilson]

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...-ball-joint-replacement-procedure-w-pics.html

This is what I used, worked fine as you can see. OTC Truck Brake Anchor Pin Press, some 3/4" and 1" drive sockets and a Harbor Freight Ball Joint Adapter Kit.

 

[sag2]

I have the OTC press, but if your only going to use it once, go look at the Harbor Freight press and adapters.

 

[LMarler]

The best one I have found is the Astro 7865, very good quality. I found it on line a Thetoolwarehouse.com . Shipped out of Texas to my front door for $68. 00. I have a small shop and use this tool 1 or2 times a month.

Thanks

Lynn

 

[Bob Cochran]

The best one I have found is the Astro 7865, very good quality. I found it on line a Thetoolwarehouse.com . Shipped out of Texas to my front door for $68. 00. I have a small shop and use this tool 1 or2 times a month.

Thanks

Lynn

I believe the link is actually



www.Thetoolwarehouse.com

 

[LMarler]

Thanks Bob, I should have proof read before I hit the button.

Lynn

 

[CDonaldson]

I have the ASTRO 7865 - good tool, good quality, gets the job done nicely.





CD

 

[TBartlett1]

OTC makes a large frame ball-joint press #8031 for under $300. 00 that also handles the ball-joints and larger u-joints on the AAM axles. This kit would definitely pay for itself if used only once.

I have this tool set which has 19 adaptors, it is very well made.

Combine this kit with other sets or adaptors (sockets) and you will will be able to handle virtually any situation.

 

[ttbird]

I believe the link is actually



Welcome to TheToolWarehouse.com

That didn't work for me but

TheToolWarehouse.net - Discount Automotive Equipment - Order Discount Automotive Specialty Tools does.

 

[Tinman]

I have these for BJ

Dodge Tools

 

[Bob Cochran]

That didn't work for me but

TheToolWarehouse.net - Discount Automotive Equipment - Order Discount Automotive Specialty Tools does.

I had the opposite problem? I wonder why; I guess try each and see what happens. the link .net worked and .com did not oh well!!!!

 

[MoparDave]

Astro 7865 it is thanks

 

[Blakers]

Borrowed one from AutoZone today and it's not the right one. I improvised and made it work to take the old ones out, but I don't think it will work to press the new Dynatracs in. I'll see if they have a different one tomorrow.

 

[FTotts]

I have the Harbor freight one. I hated to buy it because I am sure it is real cheap, anyway we sprung it real bad on the first joint , I started fuming, threw it in the truck and away we went to harbor freight. The sales guy looked at it and said " Huh, that should not have happened, allow me to get you another one" ! So yes we bent the crap out of it, Harbor freight gave us a brand new one, other than the inconvience of haveing to return it the second one did the other three joints just fine and now there are four more joints in line to be replaced. I will add that I am going to use an impact wrench this time instead of a ratchet. I am pretty sure that the impacting helps to break things loose. Good luck

FredT

 

[Blakers]

I took the one back to AutoZone as it was not really suitable for our trucks. Picked up another one at Advance Auto Parts - it's a "Powerbuilt" Kit 72 Model #940579. It's better than the other one, but still needed some improvising to do mine. The cups just aren't deep enough and the c-clamp is just not big enough to span the required distance without using some homemade spacers instead of some that are supplied.

I got the job done and will take this one back. I would not recommend this press unless you can't find something better.

~Blake~

 

[BLNRAY]

just bought OTC7249 tool on amazon,for 85 bucks also got jeep/dodge adapter set for 76.

 

[MTaishoff]

For those of you that have the Astro C Frame Press; what is the throat (opening) size? The Chinese made Harbor Freight (and the OTC it copies) it is about 6". That is not large enough to do the front axle U-joints on the AAM 9. 25 axle.



I'm on my third Harbor Freight Ball Joint Press; sprung the first one, and ate up the forcing screw threads on the second one. But I've used them quite a bit. Just bring it back and they gave me a new one both times; so for long term use the OTC may be a better investment...

 

[FFL8N]

Thanks everyone. I don't need it yet, but I'm sure Iwill. I just purchased the one from TheToolWarehouse.com



Thanks again. The TDR is great!!

 

[MTaishoff]

Would someone pls measure the throat distance on their Astro C-frame press?



I'd like to get one; but only if it is large enough to do the Front Axle U-Joints. The OTC 7249 and my Chinese copy will not do them...





Thanks

 

[SMorneau]

We bent the Harbor Freight the first time we used it. We started to bend an OTC but we stopped before wrecking it. I think even a cheap one will work if you load it until it is almost bending and then using a BFH to strike the end of the screw a few times. Keep tightening and striking it until it comes loose.

Alternatively, we have removed the knuckle and used a small ($99) hydraulic press and the cup set from Harbor Freight. We popped the ball joints out of both a dana 60 and a dana 50 from a SD Ford this way. It is possible to bend or break the knuckle if the ball joint is really frozen in place. To avoid this you could brace the knuckle with a length of steel inside the knuckle.