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Where to buy a ball joint press

justang1997

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 21, 2012
Messages
52
I was going to order a ball joint press from autozone or O'Riely for about $120. Before I do that I wonder if anyone has any recommendations. I saw Harbor freight has one for $80. I will probably use this just a few times a year working on my vehicles and working on cars for friends and family that want to save some money and just pay me a little.

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619DioFan

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Joined
Apr 9, 2013
Messages
3,617
Location
San Diego , Ca.
Been using the HF ball joint press for over ten years. keep the drive bolt threads lubed and it will work just fine.
 

kythri

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Joined
Jan 3, 2007
Messages
6,330
Location
Lebanon, OR
You can get a quality USA made OTC for around $120.

You sure that OTC is US-made? I'd be very surprised if it was.

That's not a comment against it's quality, because OTC is good stuff, but much of it is off-shored these days, and their catalog isn't touting anything about domestic manufacturing. There's been more than a few threads here about OTC stuff, and specifically about their ball joint press/kit, about how they're imports now, not US production.

I've got an Astro Pneumatic 7865 that I bought on Amazon about 5 years ago:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00061SGJ0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Absolutely fabulous tool, saved me a ton of money when I was re-doing the suspension on my Explorer.

They have other kits, too, and their price is usually pretty competitive with the OTC or HF suspension tools.

When I look at HF for the $80 kit, it appears to be, if not the same manufacturer, the same spec (i.e. same adaptors, etc) as the Astro 7865 I linked.

$79.99 at HF, might be able to get that down to $60 (25% off coupon) or $64 (20% off coupon).

The Astro kit is $71 shipped from ToolTopia via Amazon. If you order direct from ToolTopia, you can bump your order up to $75 for free shipping.

I'm no HF hater, and wouldn't have much of an issue buying their kit, but Astro Pneumatic stuff has, in my experience, been incredibly consistent on quality, fit and finish. I'd spend the extra $7-$11 to buy the Astro kit, if there wasn't a free-shipping deal. I'd DEFINITELY add an item or two to my cart to jump on a free-shipping deal for that kit.
 

bart1

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Joined
Dec 14, 2010
Messages
1,697
Location
Alabama the Beautiful
I bought an old one off eBay just so I could get this sticker.

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cbogg

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 4, 2013
Messages
93
Just don't clean it with brake clean, cuz then you'll have a sticker with no words. Ask me how I know.
 

monomach

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Joined
Oct 8, 2013
Messages
1,489
Location
Illinois
I have one of the HF ones for the home box. It works fine. Just keep the screw lubed and occasionally gently tap with a hammer when pressing to keep it from binding up.

My US-made OTC at work needs the same precautions.
 
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Skin

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Joined
Feb 24, 2010
Messages
11,713
Location
Boston
The screw should always be lubricated on any puller or press regardless of brand or COO.
 
OP
J

justang1997

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 21, 2012
Messages
52
Went on and just rented again because I couldn't make up my mind. I need to pick up a hinged screw type ball joint separator. The forks are... shall we say, hit and miss.

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justme-

Well-known member
Joined
May 24, 2014
Messages
787
Location
Boston suburbs
I have an OTC (the sticker version) from a dealership closing auction several years ago. Quality is apparent especially compared to the HF one, but they both work, especially if you're not using it daily.
 

teamarctic

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2012
Messages
253
Location
Central Michigan
We used to use the otc one at my work. Worked okay, got the job done moat of the time. We just recently upgraded to the snap on bjp1. Oh my, makes life so much easier!
 

rtole

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 25, 2014
Messages
366
I have the snap on, but I have used the astro and otc.......both are fine for home use. Heck, just one adapter cost 75 buck from snap on........no need for the fancy stuff at home. I even question if the snap on is a "value" (time saved vs cost) for pro use........but it is VERY sweet compared to the others . More of a cause I can than a time saver.
 
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