Snap on vs. OTC ball joint press, number of adapters

signcrafter · Feb 28, 2013

The ball joint thread in FP the other day had me looking at ball joint presses. I went to tooltopia to look at OTC presses, http://www.tooltopia.com/search.aspx?find=otc+ball+joint. They have all sorts of "kits" of different adapters for different makes of vehicles. Also have a truck master kit for 552 bucks and a car master kit for 494. So essentially a grand for all the adapters for different makes/models! Seems like they have a ton of specific adapters for different vehicles. Then looked at the snap on BJ press and they only have a handful of adapters, looks like 12-15 for 680 bucks. Everything I have read about the snap on ball joint press is nothing but good, "the best" press. Snap on says it can do 95% of all domestic vehicles, not sure about imports. I see they have a honda update adapter set.

Why does the OTC set have so many more adapters then the snap on set? Can the snap on set really do all vehicles with so few adapters? The OTC looks like it has adapters of specific size and shapes and angles for each vehicle?

hischj · Feb 28, 2013

I can't speak for either brand but I can recommend harbor freight. Personally I don't like their tools or products, but this one is a winner. They also offer an adapter kit and your total investment will be far less. Just my opinion.

Hayzuse · Feb 28, 2013

hischj said:
I can't speak for either brand but I can recommend harbor freight. Personally I don't like their tools or products, but this one is a winner. They also offer an adapter kit and your total investment will be far less. Just my opinion.

I agree but I did bend the harbor freight c-press but the adapter kit works great I do ball joints on a weekly basis and I haven't had one I can't get with the adapter kit.

signcrafter · Feb 28, 2013

What's the deal with OTC having so many different adapters then? That's what I don't understand. If the snap on or HF for that matter can do all vehicles with a dozen or so adapters why does OTC have around 20 adapters for each make of vehicels?

oldtools · Feb 28, 2013

OTC said ther master kit (6559) has over 70 adapters. I am guessing it cover old vehicles as well.

MattPersman · Feb 28, 2013

The OTC are very specific application cause the make a lot for oems

If you have done a lot of ball joints you know you can make 1 or 2 cups do way more than OTC makes you think you can

Snap on realizes this and knows it isn't rocket science the things just have to be shaped well enough and deep enough to push and receive

I have em both the snap on is better it takes up less room and you can always find a combo of cups to use

signcrafter · Feb 28, 2013

MattPersman said:
The OTC are very specific application cause the make a lot for oems

If you have done a lot of ball joints you know you can make 1 or 2 cups do way more than OTC makes you think you can

Snap on realizes this and knows it isn't rocket science the things just have to be shaped well enough and deep enough to push and receive

I have em both the snap on is better it takes up less room and you can always find a combo of cups to use

That makes sense, Thanks.

Tim-Bob · Feb 28, 2013

I own the Snap On set and our shop has the OTC with a herd of adapters. I never use the OTC, I only use mine. It fits better, and I have not come across anything it can`t do, yet. The OTC is a pain because of the number of adapters and because they don't lock onto the press. Also, the throat is shorter so it has reach issues sometimes. By the time you buy the OTC and all of the adapters, you could easily have the Snap On. By the way, the OTC adapters don`t always work, and it comes with a substantial manual for applications. Serious complication overkill in my opinion.

signcrafter · Feb 28, 2013

Tim-Bob said:
I own the Snap On set and our shop has the OTC with a herd of adapters. I never use the OTC, I only use mine. It fits better, and I have not come across anything it can`t do, yet. The OTC is a pain because of the number of adapters and because they don't lock onto the press. Also, the throat is shorter so it has reach issues sometimes. By the time you buy the OTC and all of the adapters, you could easily have the Snap On. By the way, the OTC adapters don`t always work, and it comes with a substantial manual for applications. Serious complication overkill in my opinion.

Thanks for the comparison of the two. I just didn't understand why OTC had so many more adapters then the snap on and snap on said they do most vehicles.

Snap on says it will do 95% of all domestic vehicles, what about import and europe vehicles? I see snap on has a honda adapter but what about lexus, audi, bmw, toyota, mitsubishi, subaru, nissan, etc? Has anyone found a vehicle where the snap on set wouldn't work on?

chadster1 · Feb 28, 2013

http://www.podcast.tv/video-episodes/bjp1-master-ball-joint-universal-joint-press-12907945.html

bgqkeneg · Feb 28, 2013

They also offer an adapter kit and your total investment will be far less. Just my opinion.

blown94conv · Feb 28, 2013

I had the OTC. Used it once, bought the BJP1 and never looked back.

braol · Feb 28, 2013

I have the OTC set used it for years, but when I found out about the SO I had to have it. Havent touched the OTC set since. If you are just buying for occasional use, buy the best one that you can justify spending. But if you do this kind of work for a living, SO is the only choice for a ball joint press.

czgunner · Feb 28, 2013

I have the OTC, and like it.
I recently bought the Dana 44 adapter kit and it broke on the first use because it was machined incorrectly...waiting on warranty.

signcrafter · Feb 28, 2013

Thanks for the video and the feedback. The video explains why snap on doesn't need all the extra adapters.

redwrench60 · Mar 1, 2013

The BJP1 really is very well thought out. The shop has the OTC kit and guys still come borrow mine, it just works better on more applications. Here's mine when I scored it from a pawn shop. (It's uglier now)

Hawk321 · Mar 1, 2013

redwrench60 said:
The BJP1 really is very well thought out. The shop has the OTC kit and guys still come borrow mine, it just works better on more applications. Here's mine when I scored it from a pawn shop. (It's uglier now)

Does it also works on european cars like PSA, Ford Transit etc???
Here we have to order special adapters which cost me in total ~ 3000,-€....

MattPersman · Mar 1, 2013

Hard to say unless there is some crazy configuration where you need a really special cup I don't see why the snap on wont work for most vehicles. Ball joint replacement is not as scientific as OTC makes you think. If you have a cup that can push and a cup big enough to receive then there is not much more too it. That is the lame mans short description but like I said above if you have done a lot of ball joints you probably know you can get it done with out the exacting diameter cup it may call for. That's why OTC has so many adapters i making these numbers up but a dodge ram may take a 54mm wide 200 mm deep receiver cup and a f250 might be 55 mm wide and 198 mm deep but the oems want it pretty exacting for the dealerships to have the best chance at a good repair with out collateral damage

I usually just start taking adapters and putting them up to the vehicle remove ball joint, then hold the new one to the adapters and figure out what I will use

You see the Honda set would be nice to have if you did Hondas cause it has the big cutout on the adapter some adapters are somewhat specialized to make the job easier

FunkyfullWidth · Mar 1, 2013

That snappy one looks sweet. I've used cheap ones, otc ones, and middle of the road ones. But that one looks like the ticket. I've had the recesses on the cups actually snap on me when pressing. I've had c frames bend to the point where you have to reposition the press a few times. Not to mention the cups actually denting or deforming.

Things I like about that bjp1. (I've done upper and lowers on 2 trucks this week. e150, f250, and an e350 next week, so feel my pain)

It appears to be a little bigger than most. wider c frame
The adapters lock in place, no more fumbling around to get the screw tight
Grease fitting.
The snap in extension. Even though sometimes you don't always have the room for it.

But On a side note. I have three peices that I cut up a while back. 2 1/2 exhaust tube about 2 inches long, 1 5/8 .120 wall 1.5" long, and 3 inch or so pipe cut to 3/4" long. All of those I filed or ground down to fit inside the adapter on my bj press. I use them all the time. Dodge trucks, some chevy 1 tons, and a few fords.

I don't know about you guys, but I don't want box space taken up by 300 different bj adapters.

braol · Mar 1, 2013

FunkyfullWidth said:
That snappy one looks sweet. I've used cheap ones, otc ones, and middle of the road ones. But that one looks like the ticket. I've had the recesses on the cups actually snap on me when pressing. I've had c frames bend to the point where you have to reposition the press a few times. Not to mention the cups actually denting or deforming.

Things I like about that bjp1. (I've done upper and lowers on 2 trucks this week. e150, f250, and an e350 next week, so feel my pain)

pain? Sounds like gravy to me.

Hayzuse · Mar 1, 2013

braol said:
pain? Sounds like gravy to me.

There isn't even room for the potatos on his plate he has so much gravy. I love ford balljoints

Mustangmike · Mar 1, 2013

I have the OTC set..after reading the thread, and looking at the video, i maybe switching over to....If the snappy guy ever shows his face again..

czgunner · Mar 1, 2013

Yeah, I watched that dang video and had to call my Snappy guy!

redwrench60 · Mar 1, 2013

Hawk321 said:
Does it also works on european cars like PSA, Ford Transit etc???
Here we have to order special adapters which cost me in total ~ 3000,-€....

I don't know about those two you mentioned specifically, but its worked either excellently or good enough to use on everything I've tried it on.

Guns R Tools · Mar 1, 2013

If there is no local Snap On dealer, try ebay. Clean used ones show up now and then.

enrare · Mar 1, 2013

Guns R Tools said:
If there is no local Snap On dealer, try ebay. Clean used ones show up now and then.

In your estimation what would be a good fair price to pay for a unit off ebay? Seems like I see alot of Snap-On stuff there selling for close to (or in some case more than) Snap-On website prices.

signcrafter · Mar 1, 2013

enrare said:
In your estimation what would be a good fair price to pay for a unit off ebay? Seems like I see alot of Snap-On stuff there selling for close to (or in some case more than) Snap-On website prices.

Used snap on usually goes anywhere from 1/3 to 2/3 or more of new. Something like a ball joint press doesn't usually get a lot of wear. A quality one like the snap on will last forever so they hold their price. If you search ebay the last version of the snap on ball joint press is still going for 200 plus bucks and it's no where near as nice as the new press.

rodm1 · Mar 1, 2013

I payed $300 on Ebay about 2 years ago.

Guns R Tools · Mar 1, 2013

I think $400-$450 is good price for used one. New Snap On pricing is $680.
ebay: http://www.ebay.com/csc/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=bjp1&LH_Complete=1&rt=nc
Snap On:http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...675665&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

kapster · Mar 17, 2013

Clear me up on the ball joint presses, are the imports all the same or are their different ones? Some of them claim forged construction and some, such as the harbor freight, say cast. Are they all really the same? All china or are some Taiwan?

The snap on is definitely the way to go for a pro, but I'm just looking for home use.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0089QSBU8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...rvice-set/_/N-264q?itemIdentifier=516524_0_0_

MattPersman · Mar 17, 2013

Good question I have a cheapy "true power" branded set here in my home garage says made in china does not say forged or cast says its "carbon steel". Layout in box looks to be the same as the others in the cheap grey box. The harbor freight has a different layout similar to some other sets. There maybe 4 makers of this stuff.

1 snap on
2 OTC (Mac and Matco supplier)
3 china grey like this http://www.anacondatools.com/media/07/a20791e1399427ab2f6204_m.JPG
4 harbor freight style like this http://www.harborfreight.com/ball-joint-service-kit-for-2wd-and-4wd-vehicles-4065.html

But then again the harbor freight style says its 2 and 4 wheel drive the other china ones say 3 in 1

Hawk321 · Mar 17, 2013

@Matt

there are a bunch of brands out there.

Wallmek, Klann, Sauer etc. to list a few.

There you can also see those crazy adapters I asked for.

kapster · Mar 17, 2013

MattPersman said:
Good question I have a cheapy "true power" branded set here in my home garage says made in china does not say forged or cast says its "carbon steel". Layout in box looks to be the same as the others in the cheap grey box. The harbor freight has a different layout similar to some other sets. There maybe 4 makers of this stuff.

1 snap on
2 OTC (Mac and Matco supplier)
3 china grey like this http://www.anacondatools.com/media/07/a20791e1399427ab2f6204_m.JPG
4 harbor freight style like this http://www.harborfreight.com/ball-joint-service-kit-for-2wd-and-4wd-vehicles-4065.html

But then again the harbor freight style says its 2 and 4 wheel drive the other china ones say 3 in 1

Does it have a wide line around it that's been ground smooth, like it was forged?

If I could guess I would say otc and harbor freight are the same, both are china at least. I'm going to check out that one at autozone to see if its really forged like they say and if its Taiwan.

Update: autozone is china and looks to forged.

juarally · Jul 18, 2017

I use both, the reason why Snap On can do the same with less adaptors is because you can combine two adaptors in one, I have the Snap On on my shop with the optional adapter set and you can do everything with it, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, BMW, Mercedes... I never run across any ball joint I can't do it with Snap On Set, also the C-Clamp is much much much better than OTC

Snap on vs. OTC ball joint press, number of adapters

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