Front End Service Tools - HF Breman vs ??

[LeeG]

When I was in HF this weekend, I looked at their Breman Front End Service Kit. The COO on it is China. It looks similar to the made in Taiwan kit by Kauplus on Amazon . OTC also sells a similar kit. Does anyone have experience with one over another or even a better overall kit from somewhere else?

I have the Astro Pneumatic Tool 7897 Ball Joint Service Tool and Master Adapter Set, but when I was helping my neighbor with his truck last month, we really needed something like the original kits a couple of times. I'll probably be replacing everything suspension related except the struts on my F150 and pretty much everything on the CR-V. Both vehicles are getting pretty high mileage and still on factory parts. (180K & 160K).

Thanks,
Lee

 

[velillen01]

I have the OTC front end service kit and the OTC ball joint kit and have been happy with both of them. Have worked well on all my vehicles so far. Would say anything has been tested to the limits of anything but they have always gotten the job done

 

[vssjim]

Gearwrench 5 Piece Front End Service Set 41690 | Zoro

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i like this set better than the HF copies as these are made by who ever makes them for otc cornwell GearWrench ect. OTC only has a one year warranty now as I found out the hard way as they changed everything when bosch bought them. So the GearWrench is life time warranty and online warranty. I have had these a long time and they take a beating but they will tear up something replaced at some point so warranty is a need.

 

[mopar4u]

When i do front end work on my dodges, all i need is the ball joint kit similar to what you linked, my milwaukee big impact, basic hand tools and a heavy hammer of some sort. If the ball joints get really stuborn i get out the snapon air hammer with pickle fork attachment but havent had to do that it many years, hammer does the job. Not sure what you need all the other tools for?

 

[Fedwrench]

This is only my personal opinion but, I think there's one or two companies churning these front end service kits out in China, People's republic of, that changes the color of the case and the name on the case. Many of the tools themselves in the kits lack individual part numbers and brand name. At one time, I had all OTC UD made components of the front end service kits but, I haven't seen US made versions in more than a few years now. Just keep in mind, that when those pullers fail, they're under load, and pieces go flying with quite a bit of force and velocity.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Lee, that Astro kit should do the lower ball joint on any F-150. Depending on the year, you usually just buy a new upper arm. My F-150 is a 2015 and I had to use the biggest adapter in my OTC kit and it barely fit on the joint, but it worked. I can't comment on the CR-V. If for whatever reason your kit doesn't fit that joint, hit me up and you can use mine.