Orion ball joint press kit. Red, Blue, or Black?

[Numbnuts]

Hello all,
This is my first post here and I just wanted to say thanks for reading and thanks in advance for any info you might have for me.

I've shopped around and the time is soon upon me to do a ball joint service on my 02 f350.
I've rented these kits a few times and they're always missing something or in need of repairs so I think I'll just buy my own set.

Since I've used them before, I should like to stick with what works and get the Orion kit.
I've used the black set as well as the red set, but never thought much about it till now.
So what IS the difference? The descriptions all read the same and the mfr web site offers nada.

Red, Black, or Blue? There must be something different or why would the mfr use different cases?
I theorize that one set has a cast iron frame and one a forged steel frame? But what of the other? And which is which?

 

[NUTTSGT]

Start another thread with the above post (copy/paste #2) and I will delete it out of this thread.

For future reference, you can't edit your thread title. You have to ask a Mod or Admin to do it.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I would get the Astro Pneumatic ball joint press. It's heavy duty and there's a Astro representative on the forum if you ever need any help. I would have been much better off if I got the Astro kit first instead of wasting money on a HF press.

 

[gatlibs]

They are all probably the same and the same as many of the other lowest end kits. Highest end is Snap-On for a ridiculously high price. Now that O.T.C. makes the tool domestically it is good quality for $150. Astro Pnuematic just produced it's foreign one, but some on this forum already seem to like it.
F350 might be too big of a truck for the lower end ones. I'd search and watch YouTube videos on it to tell how much difficulty that others had with which presses before you buy.
If I was buying foreign for price, then I would choose Astro.
Also, all of the low end and cheap ones are not made for impact at all.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I bent the HF one right off the bat on a 1/2 ton truck and and had to use heat. The Astro has done three sets on one ton Rams without any deflection and a torch wasn't need. The Astro is also impact rated.

 

[Mr_B]

spend that little extra and get the astro .
some of better cheap ones work out okay value with ebay 20% coupon code and lighter duty intentions .

 

[ken w.]

I have the over priced Snap On and have used the Astro set as well. I have noting but good to say about Astro products.

 

[Numbnuts]

Start another thread with the above post (copy/paste #2) and I will delete it out of this thread.

For future reference, you can't edit your thread title. You have to ask a Mod or Admin to do it.

Done, and thanks for the tip.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

So what IS the difference?

About $2. I'd really recommend trying the overpriced Snap On set.

 

[HaroRider]

Id do the astro or otc set

 

[rijndael]

I have the Astro, it worked great on my rust belt pickup.