Ball joint presses...

[anthrax323]

Words cannot describe the anguish and frustration that my Harbor Freight "3-in-1" ball joint press has brought me over the past year. Every ounce of my strength goes into bending the press, rather than pressing the target piece. It is a sick, twisted tease that usually results in a botched shoulder, busted knuckles, and the neighbor's kid running around the yard squawking newfound profanities like a Macaw.

Each time I've found myself in such a scenario, I've gone to AutoZone and rented their ball joint press only to find the process goes 100 times smoother, and is usually done within a few minutes.

Now, the AutoZone loaner is either an OEM or OTC (I want to say OEM - what a stupid and cruel name for a company), which is less than top-shelf but still adequate.

I'm at the point that I'd really like to invest in a nice ball joint press. My Harbor Freight unit isn't worth its weight in steel and needs to be put out to pasture.

Of course, the Snap-on BJP1 makes me all tingly and giddy, but at $629 new it's a little beyond what I can reasonably consider as a hobbyist (but oh, the things I would do to it... I mean with it. Yes... With it.)...

What recommendations do you guys have in the realm of a super-rigid ball joint press with at least a few basic adapters? Idea budget is $250 or less. I'm really sick of my energy being expended on bending a damn press... I'd rather use my energy to actually press.

 

[iwannadie]

The OTC press isn't that pricey on amazon. I bought the jeep adapters and just rent the press when needed until I'm ready to buy. When I am ready to buy it will be an OTC press.

 

[jonzer12]

I got the OTC press and the jeep adapters off amazon for $160 last year.
Tool for life.

 

[Jeepman401]

I have a otc press, and store brand adapters that I use at work

 

[anthrax323]

So the OTC is pretty solid? That name seems to come up a hell of a lot so I guess that's a good thing

I'm seriously getting a hard-on over the Snap-on press (I could walk away for under $400 with just the pieces I need), but I really think it's way beyond what I could consider a reasonable budget. Then again, if it lasts me 40 years, it could be well worth it.

Ultimately, it sounds as though OTC is the way to go.

 

[WAD357]

I used my buddys HF press to do the Balljoints in my F250 dana 50 and it worked great.. Ive used the OTC one as well and didnt notice a difference.. maybe im lucky?

 

[MoparManiac]

I have a HF one and have done several ball joints without a problem.

My buddy borrowed it once and bent it (bought me another), so I think it has a lot to do with the user.

I crank it down, smack the knuckle with a hammer, repeat until ball joint comes out.

If it doesn't come out that way I break out the torch.

 

[asp]

I have a HF one and have done several ball joints without a problem.

My buddy borrowed it once and bent it (bought me another), so I think it has a lot to do with the user.

I crank it down, smack the knuckle with a hammer, repeat until ball joint comes out.

If it doesn't come out that way I break out the torch.

:gee:

Now I do what he does :doh:

 

[rysam]

I use the heck outta my HF BJ press. u-joints, bj's, spring bushings.. never had a problem. Like said earlier, a hammer should be included in the box because yer gonna need it to free stuck parts. the HF press wont do it. but with a couple whacks and constant force from the press, it works every time for me.

you dont just crank er down as tight as it gets hoping to pop loose, without a whack its probably gonna bend the press.

 

[aszaunmi]

I have the OTC and it has worked we on an off the trail several times.

 

[iwannadie]

There really should be two Tools forums, one for harbor freight and one free of their junk tools.

 

[kastein]

I borrowed a friend's press, think it was an OEM or OTC, it got them out with no hammer usage. Just when I thought the damn thing would never move it would pop.

 

[Talyn]

I've always borrowed the ones from Autozone/Advance Auto. As said, OEM or OTC is the name. They have always worked fine for me. Supposedly there is a special adapted for the D30 you can use, but I haven't found the need for it yet.

 

[knuckleduster271]

I got the hf one and have done several set without a problem. Not any different than otc or oem imo. I bought the master set as well ( needed for a Ford exploder)

 

[cracker]

I have the Harbor Freight one. I actually have gotten my money out of it. Been using it for 6 years even with an impact and only recently has it been getting 'looser' on its threads.

 

[twodoorXJ]

Ive bent a harbor freight press, as well as an autozone press, both suck if you ask me. But changing ball joints in a jeep that has the ball joints fused to the inner c's with rust doesnt help. If i did it on a brand new JK i doubt it would bend.

 

[kastein]

I used a harbor freight one last weekend because I blew my balljoints out on the trail and it was all anyone had around. If you get it, get the "4wd/truck" cup/adapter set or you're going to be missing stuff you need... I ended up using a 3lb mini sledge as my ball joint press for the upper. Oh well, it was a used balljoint :gee: and it got me home!

If you are breaking the press you need to learn the tricks, put pressure on the balljoint and then whack the side of the inner C with your mini sledge a few times. Now crank it down a little more and do the same thing again. I never even strained myself tightening the press with a 7/8 box wrench and the factory ~20 year old crusty balljoints popped right out using this trick.

 

[iwannadie]

If you are breaking the press you need to learn the tricks, put pressure on the balljoint and then whack the side of the inner C with your mini sledge a few times. Now crank it down a little more and do the same thing again. I never even strained myself tightening the press with a 7/8 box wrench and the factory ~20 year old crusty balljoints popped right out using this trick.

When I did my ball joints they were clearly factory originals and came out pretty easy. I was shocked when the ball joint popped free when I was tapping with the hammer. I used a box wrench also with no major force to turn it, turn it snug then tap with a hammer and repeat.

 

[ehall]

I use that same technique with rusty u-joints on axle shafts.