OK, Here is what is on my mind.I have been replacing ball joints for a number of years.I have used the tools from various part stores. I have decide to purchase a ball joint kit of my own. However,, I noticed all the presses have screw in clamps with course threads. In my thinking a fine thread clamp would have more muscle than a course one thereby requiring less effort from the operator and or his equipment.Can you see my thinking? Any recommendations? $200 is my limit. Thanks, Ken
Ball Joint Press
- Thread starter Kenskip1
- Start date
ken w.
Well-known member
I was surprised at how well my Snap On ball joint press works installing joints. It was well worth the money. I had it paid off in a few months.
JJThrasher
Well-known member
I'd say OTC super set, but its out of your budget. The HF one is well liked.
I have a OTC kit from the 90s. Made in the USA back then. I needed differnet adaptors to do my Nissan Hardbody. I bough the horror freight kit. It worked fine, in and out no prob. I do.have a Arizona Vehicle. So not too much rust. Unlike touse.of.you in salted snowland.
WWheeler
Well-known member
OTC 7249 ($107) + generic 14 Pc Master Ball Joint Remover Installer Adaptors Kit (~$40) or 'Astro 7868 Master Ball Joint Adapter Set' ($60)
OTC Press plus a set of adapters should be all you'll need.
You're not going to get any better than that OTC press (Made in USA) for less than $200 much less the rest of the adapters you'll need.
It's made in the USA now. I just bought mine a month ago from Tooltopia via Amazon.
OTC Press plus a set of adapters should be all you'll need.
You're not going to get any better than that OTC press (Made in USA) for less than $200 much less the rest of the adapters you'll need.
It's made in the USA now. I just bought mine a month ago from Tooltopia via Amazon.
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trackwelder
Well-known member
I had the OTC basic kit that was made in China and the frame twisted bad. OTC paid the warranty return shipping and sent a USA made kit to me. Since then I picked up a new Snap On BJP1 kit for next to nothing on Craigslist. I'm never going to use the OTC kit so Kenskip1 if you want it send me a PM and I'll send it your way.
WWheeler
Well-known member
^^^^^^^ Better jump on that deal. !!!!!! ^^^^^^
The USA-made OTC press is awesome. The one we have at work has been used by umpteen techs for 10 years on ball joints and semi Brake Anchor Pins, and on the latter they are putting a 3/4 impact on it regularly. Those things are waaay tougher than any ball joint you're going to run across. The thing is a beast. Just make sure you keep the threads lubed.
The brief period when OTC sent the production of that press overseas was bad times for them. Lots of similar complaints to trackwelder's. They've brought the OTC 7249 back home.
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md21722
Well-known member
WWheeler's advise is probably the best to keep within your budget. To save even more just keep renting the master sets from Advance Auto! Snap On's offering is very nice because the cups snap together and to the c-frame. No need wish you had more hands.
I have the USA OTC press and the Astro adapter kit. Great value. The press was my dad's and is probably 40 years old. The adapter set I purchased for doing jeep axles. You can not go wrong with this setup. Done tons of 4x4 and other jobs with this press. Totally agree with WWheeler.
michelin
Well-known member
Look for BJP1 on eBay. Sometimes they come up for less than half of list price.
WWheeler
Well-known member
I looked for one on ebay for almost two months constantly before settling on a new OTC press a month ago. The cheapest I've seen one go for since the beginning of Sept or anytime since was for was $300 for a beat-up looking incomplete set.
Just look through the current for sale and 'sold' listings. Most used Snap-On BJP1 these days $300 is where the bidding starts at and the final price is usually well over $400 and for a good looking set almost always over $500.
They are in high demand on ebay. I suppose you might get lucky if someone doesn't title it correctly, but finding one for the OP's $200 or less would be finding a unicorn.
Edit:
It might be worth mentioning that the OTC 7249 is also sold rebadged as the Matco BJP7025C (for more than twice the price). You might find one of those used at a decent price.
Anywho, trackwelder offered above to just send him a new unused OTC press. The OP isn't going to be able to beat that.
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michelin
Well-known member
There was one in the UK not too long ago - brand new and complete and it ended costing about half of what I paid for mine on the truck. I needed mine pronto so had no time to source one. Buy once, cry once.
The snap-on is worth the extra $100 or $200 over what you will pay for the OTC in my opinion. The first time you use the BJP1 and don't have to try to hold all the adapters while trying to tighten the screw you will under stand. The otc works ok but sometimes you need three hands to hold it and the adapters in place and tighten the screw.
Cope
Well-known member
If fine thread was the way to go, the manufacturers would use fine thread.
I agree on the OTC 7249 with an adapter set as needed. Works on u-joints too.
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Eric O uses the astro kit. looks like the master set is 125 bucks.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00061SGZO/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00061SGZO/?tag=atomicindus08-20