Ball joint service kits (which brand do you suggest to buy)

[langester]

Hope everyone is having a good New Year so far.
I am looking at purchasing a ball joint service kit. I have a few front ends I need to replace the ball joints in so I figure I will just go ahead and buy one instead of renting.
Does anyone have any suggestions on a brand to get or one to avoid?

Thanks in advance!

 

[NC-Fordguy]

I have an OTC set, a snap on and the cheapy Harbor freight 4x4 set.

The OTC set is an older made in the USA set and has quality parts. I did break the C press a couple years back and the Cornwell dealer warrantied it. The new C press is now made in China as well as other components in the newer sets.

The snap on set has rings to hold everything together eliminating the need in some cases where you need a 3rd hand. Hi quality set still made in the USA.

The Harbor freight set comes from china and goes in the Bronco for trail repairs. Not a bad set considering the money. I've used 4 or 5 times and it hasn't broke yet.

 

[langester]

I appreciate the info. I don't mind spending money on good tools, I also like to hear that the cheap stuff is holding up as well. I don't want to buy something on the manufacturers word alone. I love this site for this reason, great wealth of knowledge on all kinds of subjects.
Thanks and Have a good one!

 

[McLeod]

I got the inexpensive 4 in 1 set from northern tool (probably same thing as HF) and it has worked remarkably well.

I have done the ball joints on three different Ford 4x4 trucks along w/ the axle joints and driveshaft joints and it has performed remarkably well.

Of course I am not one of those guys that hits it with an impact driver either. I bring it under pretty good pressure by hand and then tap the threaded end to dissipate the pressure. Retighten....Dissipate.... over and over until the joint is out.

Too many just start ratcheting down on them expecting the tool to work with no further user effort and quite often the thing breaks.
Maybe the high end stuff will do that, not sure, but I wouldn't take my chances on the more inexpensive ones.

Also, grease on the threads is very helpful to extend the service life of the press.

Wear safety glasses, because I am sure it would explode if it were to fail.

 

[langester]

Thank you! I will check out Northern as well. I agree with the safety glasses as well! No matter how small the job is I always wear them. I had a High school shop teacher that was a Beast of a man, his number one rule was to "always wear protection". Eyes, ears or any other part!

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Also don't forget the spanner socket. A must need for a dana 44. None of the service kits I've seen comes with it.

 

[langester]

NC-Fordguy,
Do you have a part number or a place to get one? I appreciate the heads up on that!

 

[NC-Fordguy]

NC-Fordguy,
Do you have a part number or a place to get one? I appreciate the heads up on that!

OTC 7080. I also have a snap on version but snap-ons website sucks to find it and my snap on catalog is in the shop somewhere.

You should be able to get the OTC version at Napa or Oreillys.

 

[Apogee]

Moog #40207 is the spanner socket I have...I bought mine from RockAuto.com for $18.56.

 

[langester]

Thanks for the part number! I will check it out.

 

[ransil]

BJP1 is the snap on part number, look on craigslist I see them there on occasion.

 

[langester]

I forgot about checking craigslist, I will check it out. I appreciate the number as well, Thanks!

 

[destroyer000]

i bought mine from harbor freight 10 years ago and it still works great! ive done all sorts of stuff with it many dana 44s ranger axles civics looks identical to a mac tool one a friend has.

 

[langester]

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate that info, I have looked at a ton of pictures but have not seen any of them in person yet. Its nice to know how yours is holding up as well. If I can save some cash buying a cheaper one that works great the happier my Wife will be!
Thanks!

 

[Apache Bronco]

Another vote for Harbor Freight, husband used it on his 99 F350 Superduty 4x4 no problems. On sale -20% (they don't do that anymore).

 

[langester]

I just got a Harbor Freight flyer in the mail. It has a 20% coupon on the bottom. I will be at their store in about a week, looks like I will be trying one out.
Thanks for the reply!