I know they sell some useless junk but I've heard of lots of folks having luck with these. Whether it holds up or not I need to know from those that have used this if I also need their "4x4 service kit" to have all the parts for the press needed to do the ball joints?

Needing to go get this early in the morning as it's the only free time I'll have this week. Thanks guys....and gals!!!!

 

Another option is from AutoZone. They loan the tools to do most any job. Actually you pay for the tools up front but will refund your money if you return the tools up to 1 year later.

 

Thought about that as well but what if it breaks? Do you end up buying it from them? At least with the Harbor Freight jobber, if it breaks, you can get your money back.

 

I used HF's press and I would rate it as just "adequate" for this job. I needed the longer adapters in a separate kit. The press would not move the joints, and it started to bend. I wound up tightening the press and the proceded to beat the loaded joint and press with the BFH till things came apart. It was a pretty tough job but got her done. I wound up bending the press and had to straighten it before the second side. I don't know if it would hold up to a another job. I also installed the XRF's. 60K miles and all is OK. I did turn the OD of the new joints down on a lathe a little as the interference seemed excessive. Also, cold soak the new joints in the freezer before you try to intall.

It is not an easy job, but take your time, think things through and you will be OK. Good luck.

 

I get tools at O'Rileys. You hold them with CC but it all get refunded so the cost is $0. And so far, all their tools have been pro quality. And you get use of them for 48 hours.

 

I used the set from advance and it's identical to HF set,found out it would not seat the bottom ball joints on my ford, the c press started bending outwards . I went and had local shop press them for me cost 20 bucks .

 

I guess I'll call around and see who has the better quality press. Just need something to hold up until the job is done. This will be the second time for new balljoints so hopefully after 2 weeks of soaking all the parts on the front-end with penetrating oil things will go smoothly......I hope!!!

 

not familar with the press in question. but a lot of places are selling "junk" now also. I just bought a x-y vise for my drill press from Harbor Freight. $70 and I had to take it apart and reassemble it out of the box. I thought, well maybe I should get a better one at Sears so I went and looked. $180. Identical to the harbor freight, not close, but the exact same brand, etc. with the same literature and packing and the same poor assembly.

 

Place your new ball joints, box and all in the freezer overnight. You can just about push them in with a plain C clamp after that.

 

well if ya have the sleeve/adapter, big socket or whatever, just use an Air Hammer.
Werks fer me

 

Thanks for responses guys. Think I'll give the O'Reilley jobber a whirl. As for putting parts in the freezer....it is 100% effective. About the only way my dad and I re-sleeved his Cat engine was by placing the sleeves in the deep-freeze overnight. Tried the first one right outta the packaging . Pretty much a no go. The others darn near fell into the holes the following day.

 

I wouldn't give Auto Zone the sweat off my. . . . .

You need to be real careful with Auto Zone. Unless you are getting a Nationally recognized part, (Trw Moog Ect.) they will give you parts made in who knows where. Better shot at Car Quest or O'Rielleys. Even Car Quest has some that "Made in Mystery Land" stuff

 

Ordered HF 4x4 BJ press kit and BJs two days ago. Planned to do it on this Saturday, at least one side. I have freezer and air hammer too.
A little bit nervous. Will see----

 

I used the HF set. As mentioned, it is adequate.

 

I'll more than likely just rent one AFTER I find out if it's warranted for breakage. Like I stated before, I did balljoints at about 100k....it now has 300k on it and if I only have to this job once every 6-7 yrs I just can't justify spending the money to own even a mediocre press right now....even though I do love collecting tools....the more the merrier I say, but right now it's just not feasable. Even though I really do want one just so I can say "yeah, I have a ball joint press."