OTC 6295 Front End Service Set

[Alan Reagan]

Anybody have one of these? If so, what are your thoughts. I’m looking for a good set of tie rod and pitman arm tools. If not OTC, other recommendations, please.

 

[Topzide]

@Alan Reagan; How often and are you getting paid on jobs or personal use? Save some coin.
https://www.harborfreight.com/autom...front-end-service-tool-set-5-piece-56807.html

 

[Alan Reagan]

I looked at Harbor Freight. I bought a Maddox (Harbor Freight) Pitman arm puller a couple of years ago and it snapped off one ear pulling a PA on a Jeep Wrangler. Ended up with one from Advance Auto Parts and had to grind down the ears to make it work. I want a set that I can depend on because I can’t wait for shipping and off the shelf at the parts stores is questionable quality. I know typically HF makes good on their stuff and that’s a big plus because they usually exchange if something breaks.

 

[Topzide]

I've had OTC stuff break also. All depends on the amount of pressure being applied. Heat is your friend on stuck components! You could buy almost 3 sets for the price of 1 OTC. Thing is, they probably come out of the same over seas factory. One goes down a different line for more refinement while the other just gets boxed up for shipment. Your money your choice. Just wanted to show there are other options for the same type of tools for the job at hand. Yes, at HF, you have to be careful on some of the stuff. I'll get the lower end wrenches and cut, bend and weld back together different sizes to make a wrench for the job at hand. Really handy for putting together tools for a toolbox on the tractor. Like a 14mm open with a 10mm box on the other end. Cuts down on the amount of tools being carried where space is limited!

 

[Alan Reagan]

I appreciate your input, Topzide. I work on a variety of different things from Jeeps, pickups, tractors, etc. Do most of my own stuff plus’s projects with friends and for friends. Nothing I hate worse than being in the middle of something and not having the right tool or breaking a tool and having to go to town to try to find what I need. I’ll go by HF the next time I’m in town and look at the set. Not needing it right now but have a project coming up that I will need it for.

 

[Ozymandias]

Pitman arm is something of the worst to pull.
They are like welded on most of the time.

I had once a ball joint press from AutoZone and destroyed it right away at the first use - I got my money back without hesitation.
Very impressed from the American customer service. In Switzerland they would have just laughed at me and send me on my way.

 

[Alan Reagan]

Agree. I have a Snap-On Ball Joint Press set. Expensive, but one of the best tool investments I’ve ever made. It’s made so that you can use an impact wrench on the press and not worry about the adapters breaking or the C-press for that matter.