Snap On or OTC, or Astro Ball Joint Press

[HomeTheaterMan]

I need a new ball joint press. I bent my Harbor Frieght one a few years ago, and I've just borrowed one when I've needed one since then. However, it's gotten to the point that I really probably need to buy my own. I've had to borrow my buddies 2x in the last 3 months and now I need it again a third time.

He has an OTC and while it works, I absolutely hate how it the adapters want to kick out, they are hold to hold in straight while trying to press the joint, etc. It's just a pain in the **** to use. I had the same complaint with my Harbor Freight ball joint press. I just assumed they were all this way, but it really was a pain to use.

Well, then I found out about the Snap On and that it snaps together fixing this problem. I've never used one, but I can't help but think I'd really love to have that. However, $730 is a bit much for a tool that I probably use 3-4 times every 2 years. That's basically paying a shop to do 2 ball joint jobs though, so I do feel like even for a diy guy like myself, it would pay for itself very quickly.

My good friend that's a professional mechanic says it is excellent, but it just isn't worth the cost to him which is why he has the OTC. In his words, it's "good enough" at a fraction of the price. He's the one that's let me use it, and I do agree that it's good enough, but I also know how frustrated I've gotten with it.

Then there is the Astro that seems to be similar for a bit cheaper price, but with good reviews.

Is it worth paying the extra for a Snap On if I'm not using it in a professional setting? Or is it not that much better?

 

[Skin]

OTC has a new kit that is currently an exclusive for Matco with ball detents to hold the cups in place. I'd be surprised if it wasnt released to their normal distribution channel for the holidays.

Astro is coming out with a new kit any time now as well that will also include socket adapters which should come in handy for small bushings. I think it was suppose to be released around now but Covid.

The BJP1 is really nice just crazy money if you want all the adapter add-on kits they've come out with.

If its just for home use get the Astro or just buy an OTC/Astro press and use the HF adapters. If you want something nicer wait for the new OTC/Astro to be released.

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

OTC has a new kit that is currently an exclusive for Matco with ball detents to hold the cups in place. I'd be surprised if it wasnt released to their normal distribution channel for the holidays.

Astro is coming out with a new kit any time now as well that will also include socket adapters which should come in handy for small bushings. I think it was suppose to be released around now but Covid.

The BJP1 is really nice just crazy money if you want all the adapter add-on kits they've come out with.

If its just for home use get the Astro or just buy an OTC/Astro press and use the HF adapters. If you want something nicer wait for the new OTC/Astro to be released.

I saw the Matco kit, but didn't realize it was made by OTC. The Matco price seems insane, but I'd love to get my hands on it if OTC releases it for a reasonable price. I thin kit would work well for me.

I've read about the Astro kit, but I couldn't find anything about an estimated release date and since I need the tool relatively soon, it isn't something I want to wait a long time on.

I'm really heavily leaning towards just shelling out the buck for the Snap On press. I really think it's worth it. Then my common sense kicks in and tells me to save the money and just get the Astro kit.

 

[OHMS LAW]

Are you a pro doing a lot of front end work. If yes then by all means get it. If you just happened to do your ball joints recently and needed to borrow the tool to do it, it’s not worth it to buy the BJP1 at over 1000 bucks.

 

[MJK]

I have an OTC 7249 and it has served me well at home for a number of years.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I have the Astro one and also the Goliath one. I have no complaints and it works great for the few times a year I use it. It's works flawlessly on one ton Rams. I bent the HF one first time using it on a half ton.

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

Are you a pro doing a lot of front end work. If yes then by all means get it. If you just happened to do your ball joints recently and needed to borrow the tool to do it, it’s not worth it to buy the BJP1 at over 1000 bucks.

More of the second one. I'd say I probably average one set of ball joints per year. Sometimes two. Doing three this year is more than normal. So I wouldn't be using it every day.

 

[paranoid56]

I have an OTC 7249 and it has served me well at home for a number of years.

same, made in USA and has worked great, and i have beat it lol. from dana 60 BJs, to toyota tacoma lower Bjs with a 6ft cheater bar on it. it just works

 

[Super Mech]

I have the Snap On with extra adapters. It’s incredible and worth every penny but I use it at least a couple of times a month, sometimes a couple of times a week. A very well made tool and a real time saver.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Weekend warrior here.

I have the OTC kit and it's perfectly fine for me. If I did more than about 2 ball joints every 2 years I'd get one like the Snap-On. Holding the cups/adapters/etc are half the battle for speed, and speed is money.

 

[anndel]

I've used the Snap-on and it's awesome, worth every penny. No I don't own it and just borrowed it for a few minutes. I have the Astro and only used it once in the last 2 years. It's just as good and does what it's supposed to do.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Skip the OTC. After their terrible warranty support I purchased Astro replacements. You'll like the Goliath c-frame, extra depth. After hundreds and hundreds of ball joints, I'm pretty good at having 3 hands when needed. It's kind of like using a press; get all the pieces in their place, spin down the screw, then slip in the last piece.

I looked at the BJP1 - IMO the "great coverage" is a scam. You spend all that money, and need to buy honda adapters. Oh, and Ram/dodge adapters too. The astro kit and adapter make me plenty of money - realistically I'm not doing ball joints every week.

 

[shawhite]

There is no comparison here the BJP1 is leaps and bounds above the rest. Why do you think everyone is trying to copy the BJP1 with the clip in adapters. I would like to try the new matco bjp18100.

https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/BJP18100/ball-joint-press-with-cup-adapters/

 

[Den69rs96]

I have the Alltrade which is now called Powerbuilt 23 piece kit which is the same one Advanced Auto loans out. Served me well.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I purchased Astro replacements. You'll like the Goliath c-frame, extra depth. After hundreds and hundreds of ball joints, I'm pretty good at having 3 hands when needed. It's kind of like using a press; get all the pieces in their place, spin down the screw, then slip in the last piece.

Looking on Amazon, even their normal kit (not large C frame) is only $125. That's a really good deal for what all comes in the kit. Even the large C frame for another $90 isn't bad at all.

 

[Mr_B]

yeh astro is good value as pretty solid kit.
Was surprised they didn't incorporate some basic cup retainer on first release as they generally on the ball to improvements and innovative .
Snapon is great designed tool but hard justify unless doing lot of suspension work almost daily .
If snapon offered me a silly cheap deal on a full kit I be tempted but even a good dealer price be too much for amount we use one really .

 

[setfocus]

I've got a snap-on press, it's nicer, in that the C frame doesn't flex as much so ball joints go in and out easier, has the clip together cups. But it's bulkier and costs a lot and so do the expansion cups (just paid $260 for a set and that's sale price). I'm also an auto tech, so it does get used a good bit, and I can be a bit of a tool snob at times

For a DIYer, I'd get the astro. I think it's cheaper than OTC but same design, and I hear they have good customer support

 

[tooljunkie4]

I need a new ball joint press.
...

Is it worth paying the extra for a Snap On if I'm not using it in a professional setting? Or is it not that much better?

If you're near central Maryland, you can take mine for a spin. It has done everything I've asked of it, and I have at least half of the available expansion kits.