I'm going to be installing Ball Joints this evening and am wondering if anybody has used that tool that Autozone rents or something like it or if anybody knows a good way to press them in useing standard hand tools. Or any tips/tricks. Thanks!

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...oint_press.jsp

 

works pretty good. make sure it goes in straight. only issue i had with those is the cheaper versions crack or break.

 

Here's some experience I just had -- probably too late to be of any help to you: https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...ead.php?t=7200

 

I believe thats the same tool Tommy used on my truck. He had air tools so it went alot faster.

 

Yup, too late. I tryed that autozone tool and it wouldnt work for me, the lower pressed in from the top and the upper housing was to big for it. Thanks though... I think I was the one that mentioned that tool in the other thread.. lol..

 

Yes you did. AutoZone is the only place to rent stuff like that around here though, so I would have tried it one way or another.

It does work fine for the lowers on stock arms. On your super-arms, I can understand things might be different!

 

Yea its the only place to get stuff around here too, have a good selection though.

Yea, my super-arms are a little differant..lol..glad it worked good for ya!

 

yeah it works just fine for me!
Mine is Matco ..but its still the same design!
You may not have had the right adapter!
Like Leo said..in and out in no time! ..but I do the stauff all day at work!

 

Ha ha! I was AMAZED at how easy it was with the right tool! I coulda' bashed that sucker all day and gotten NOWHERE. And I'm a good basher...

 

what exactly do you do tommy? im looking to go into the automotive technology field and was wondering what you do and if the pay is ok... thanks man


sorry to go off topic!

 

lmao
yeah it pays to have the right stuff!
Saves time and effort!

Im a mechanic ..I do everything but A/C work! I can do it but i dont like to!
there CAN be good money in it!
I would learn Driveability Diagnostics & Suspension! thats where the $$ is ... thats what I try to stick to!
The only bad thing it you get paid for what you do not for how long you are on the clock!..in the winter is SUX cause its slow!

 

Its a combination of two things that keep it working. One is the size of the "bung" that it is pressed into. You can see how large it is, and how far the joint is actually down into it. The second reason is because of the grease zirk. The zirk is in a slightly raised area. I tryed the tool first, with the cup on the bottom and nothing on top, it got half way in before I noticed that it was flattening out the top where the zirk goes (ended up haveing to drill it out a little to get the zirk in). So I tryed to place a cup on the top and bottom, but the clamp was not large enough. And that is why it wouldnt work.

 

OK makes sense now that i see it

 

I wonder if you couldn't use a socket of some size from a 3/8 or 1/2 inch drive socket set in there -- maybe even a cut-down one. It's shorter than the rings that come with the tool. Might not work but who knows -- or maybe you do because you tried it, lol!

 

auto transmissions are $$ makers and AC work, pending where u live is a good $$. driveibility is good but u need to really know what ur doing and know how to use a variety of diagnostic tools. suspensions isnt bad and either is brakes.

auto trannies, AC work (location pending) are ur best bet IMO...and AC work is pretty easy.

 

lol.. I DID try fitting a socket on there. Problem was, if it wasn't all the way on the out side ring, it would still crush the top and all the sockets I had that were big enought were too deep...

You seem to know me well John, time to find the camera in my garage your using to spy on me

 

lol! Well, and I hope this isn't an insult, your mind works a bit like mine!

 

I'll take that as a compliment

 

you are right A/C work is a breeze..I just dont like to do it!
Trannies....I dont like to get into that unless i have too...just my opinion!
Here in broke A$$ Huntsville ..Driveability is a good thing to know!


Im the only one in the shop that does it..I will spend the $$ on a specialty tool if i need it!
no one else will.. I have over 35 k in tools so ..have to spend $ to make $..

 

heh, i dont like AC work because its a little boring. machine does most the work.

trannies are good fun tearing them apart and assembly. actually getting them in and out of the vehicle...thats another story.

driveability is GOOD work (im currently fighting a low rpm miss on the f-bomb) and i came to realize...this **** is hard. im glad i have proper training...i just need some more tools at home lol.