Ball Joint Service Tool

[Turbo1Ton]

Alright, I'm looking to get one of these bad boys. I've read that they can be used for u-joints also, is this true?



My main question is, where is the best place to purchase one of these from. I've seen them at Harbor, Northern, and other places. Is there anything specifically to look for or are they all about the same?



Thanks,



Jeff

 

[GCordrey]

1 Ton, 'tis true. You can use the tool for u-joints. We got ours off the friendly neighberhood Snap On guy.

 

[Ggg]

I assume we are talking about the big heavy duty "c" clamp style.

I have an MAC Tools model and it has worked on a LOT of stuff. U-joints, Ball joints, spring bushings, hydraulic cyl. bushings, big truck brake anchor pins, etc. But due to the extreme pressure that can be applied I would not skimp and get this tool from HF. , I would buy a brand name one. Try Sears maybe E-bay.

 

[rbattelle]

Great question! I've been waiting a long time to buy such a tool because I'm not sure what size I need (I'm afraid of getting one that's too small and not realizing it until I'm in the midst of a ball joint replacement).



-Ryan

 

[Turbo1Ton]

I assume we are talking about the big heavy duty "c" clamp style.

I have an MAC Tools model and it has worked on a LOT of stuff. U-joints, Ball joints, spring bushings, hydraulic cyl. bushings, big truck brake anchor pins, etc. But due to the extreme pressure that can be applied I would not skimp and get this tool from HF. , I would buy a brand name one. Try Sears maybe E-bay.

Correct Ggg, the C-clamp style one.



I agree with not skimping and getting a brand name one. The problem I am having is the only names I am finding besides Snap-On and the other high dollar tool co's. are OTC and Astro Pneumatic. I have never heard of these companies, has anyone else? I would love to purchase a Snap-On or equivalent brand however, the cost to use ratio is just too high for me to consider that.



Sears shows nothing like that on their website. Ebay might have something, I'll check there in a bit.



Doing some searching I have seen that these 2 manufacturers have several kits. One is a basic kit and the other seems to be a larger kit with more adapters. I am leaning towards the larger kit. This way I won't have to worry about having the proper adapters or what have you.



Any other opinions?



Jeff

 

[Nate]

Matco has a nice one. I paid around $300 for my kit. The clamp is cheap, the bushings for the clamp are what's expensive. The kit I have is more for Dodge, Jeep and a few others, but you can make it work for just about anything.

 

[JFaughn]

I bought the Snap On u-joint press yrs. ago , and was not happy when I found out that it would not work as a ball joint tool also , the threads are differant on the 2 press's & the fittings for the differant sizes of either u-joints or ball joints do not interchange .
I'm looking to replace myself and haven't found one that does both , so I may make one.

 

[jkeyes]

OTC is who makes them for Snapon and Mac. They are quality units.

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Thanks for that bit of info jkeyes.



Jeff

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I have an OTC and I've used it for about 10 years with no problems at all. Great tool

 

[rbattelle]

Anyone know who makes the one that Quad4x4 is selling here?



1Ton, have you found a good (and relatively cheap) set yet?



Snap-on... very expensive, but versatile.



OTC model



KD makes one.



Astro 7865 kit.



And HF's offering.



It seems like the Snapon, OTC/SPX, and KD offerings are cast iron but the HF unit is drop forged (which implies to me that it's steel rather than iron). It also appears you'd need this adaptor kit for the HF unit. Now, I don't want to get something dirt cheap but I don't use this often (okay, actually I've never needed one before). I might use it once every 3 years. So if I'm going to get an expensive brand-name set, I want one that will press every ball joint on Earth. That means Snap-on, but I can't afford that.



Ugh... I have no idea.



Can someone photograph the adaptors they have and talk a little about how many different adaptors are needed to cover various vehicles? Some kits have tons of adaptors, some have just a few. Are the Dodge joints odd-size? By that I mean, how likely am I to buy a kit then go try to do my ball joints only to find the adaptors are too small or too big?



-Ryan

 

[JStieger]

I have the Matco kit and the c-clamp press was too small depth-wise for my rear driveshaft joints on my 3rd gen. I just ended using the socket method.

 

[rbattelle]

I have the Matco kit and the c-clamp press was too small depth-wise for my rear driveshaft joints on my 3rd gen. I just ended using the socket method.

I have a 3-ton arbor press that I intend to use for u-joints, so I only need the ball joint press for ball joints.



-Ryan

 

[rbattelle]

McQuay-Norris set... never heard of them.



Matco sets.



-Ryan

 

[Ggg]

I agree OTC (Owatana Tool Co. )are very good quality tools. They make tools for quite a few name brands. MAC, MATCO, Snap-On, Rotunda, K-D, Lisle, Proto, etc. My MAC set looks just like that MCquay-Norris set. I think that any set $150 or less is a pretty good price. I have made a few special adapters for mine over the years.

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Ryan,



I was considering the Astro #7897 (on the same page that you linked for #7865).



My primary use for this tool would be u-joints. It would make changing broken ones on the trail a breeze. However the occasional ball joint would also be changed I'm sure.



Jeff

 

[rbattelle]

I'm still undecided. I wish there were a store where I could go inspect each of the different options and choose that way. I suppose I can try Dayton's local tool crib (I only know of 1 in the area), but I'm sure they only carry one brand. I guess I'll go look at what they've got.



-Ryan

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Here's my thought on the deal. If I can get a kit for around $150 it will probably be stout enough to handle my occasional use for the rest of my life. That's a little more than I wanted to spend but as long as it will last I'm cool with it.



The one I rented (or purchased; they charge you for the tool and credit you back when you return it. ) from the parts house (KD brand, I think) last year was about $200 and it handled a helluva lot of abuse.



Jeff

 

[Nyoest]

Here is the OTC I just ordered at a great price.

 

[rbattelle]

My passenger side joints are shot, so it's time for this investment. Nyoest, was the OTC large enough for your '01 with room to spare?



There are 2 OTC kits I'm looking at, and I have no idea which I need. One is the extra-large 8031 (link)



The other is the "standard" 7249 (link)



Do I need the extended-length of the 8031 press?



Ryan