kythri
Well-known member
I have the Astro Pneumatic 7865 kit - worked great on my Explorer - going to have to bust it out soon and replace the lower balls.
Recomend a ball joint press
- Thread starter psychob0b1977
- Start date
I wouldn't even bother with anything cheaper than the OTC kits. Plenty of the basic USA sets to be had on ebay for cheap money for people who don't want imports.
To those that say a ball joint press is so seldom used its not worth buying, I agree, however there are many more instances than just ball joints where a c-frame press is useful.
No matter where you get your kit from, always keep the screw threads coated (I prefer moly grease simply applied with a brush). It keeps it alive. I see a lot of kits on ebay where the screw threads are shiny from galling under load. If that's kept up it does take a pretty quick toll on the life of the press.
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kythri
Well-known member
Methinks the AP and OTC kits share a common manufacturer.
Of course, that's all conjecture on my end.
Of course, that's all conjecture on my end.
kythri
Well-known member
Not sure/don't remember the COO. I'll have to check on mine later.
Some of the AP stuff looks identical to HF, but some of the other AP stuff has a far better fit/finish, and looks identical to the OTC...
Some of the AP stuff looks identical to HF, but some of the other AP stuff has a far better fit/finish, and looks identical to the OTC...
wolf_from_wv
Well-known member
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/separating-stubborn-lower-ball-joint-taper-133140.html
A 5/8" bolt and coupler worked great to pop the ball joints out on my S10. Not sure if it's any help with what you are working on, though...
A 5/8" bolt and coupler worked great to pop the ball joints out on my S10. Not sure if it's any help with what you are working on, though...
The HF press bends and breaks, internally on the couple we've broken you can see nice air pockets in the casting. 
The funny part, these were my buddies who were too cheap to buy the OTC back when the US made one was 80ish dollars. After one guy broke two HF presses, he bought the OTC. I have my dad's OTC from the 60's or 70's, it was passed on to me and will be passed onto my son. Sold my OTC to the buddy who had broken 1 and bent another HF press.
Seems that dana 30's with 33" tires are hard on ball joints, like someone else in the thread said, if you wheel, this is a must have tool.
The HF adapter kit seems to be fine, I've got the ATD master adapter kit for my press.
The funny part, these were my buddies who were too cheap to buy the OTC back when the US made one was 80ish dollars. After one guy broke two HF presses, he bought the OTC. I have my dad's OTC from the 60's or 70's, it was passed on to me and will be passed onto my son. Sold my OTC to the buddy who had broken 1 and bent another HF press. Seems that dana 30's with 33" tires are hard on ball joints, like someone else in the thread said, if you wheel, this is a must have tool.
The HF adapter kit seems to be fine, I've got the ATD master adapter kit for my press.
wolf_from_wv
Well-known member
I also have the Harbor Freight kits, but ended up not needing to try them yet...
What breaks them is excessive torque that isn't applied directly to the ball joint. On the Dana 30 axle C, the ball joint is actually at an angle to the surface. Most guys use a straight cup and that side loads the press, when the ball joint doesn't move they apply more torque eventually bending/breaking the press.
Using the right cups (proper tool for the job), I've yet to meet a ball joint on steering axle I haven't been able to easily remove. If you spend the money on a set, get the cups for your applications.
Like I said earlier, if you go wheeling/offroading and own a 4x4, this is one tool you should have and not skimp on a HF version. The OTC press fits in a flat rate box btw, that's how my dad and I would ship his back in the day when I needed it before I bought mine.
Flivver250
Well-known member
I did my Dana 50 TB last year and went throught it soup to nuts. Plenty of work there if you are by yourself. I don't have a lift (yet) so it was a little harder. No fun wrenching on your back. If you don't change all the seals dollars to donuts Murphy's law will kick in. I think the Dana 50 and 60 typically need freshening every 100K. You will need a front end alignment when you are finished. I let the dealer do that and they hosed it up. Ford dealers aren't always good with Fords. My son brought it to a Ford guru who squared it away. When you pull your hubs apart take note of how it comes apart and reassemble exactly the same way. There are different hubs so you can't always trust the diagram. The Dana 60 is easier to work on in my opinion. My son was tempted me to buy a 60 to install in it. Seen them on CL. Maybe I'll do it in another 100K when it should be ready for round 2. Let us know how the job turns out. Tools are fun but it is the outcome of the job that counts.
1SlowFormula
Well-known member
I was in a similar situation, wanted a press that I could use on multiple vehicles, but didn't need pro shop everyday type quality. I first decided to just try the HF Press kit and, on my '07 Ram 2500 diesel the HF press C bent before breaking the joint loose, luckily the store took the tool back as defective and I went out did a little more research and landed on the Alltrade 648602 Kit (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0028QGT7W/?tag=atomicindus08-20), under $200 and good reviews and good quality. And as someone else posted, with 2 big guys on a 3' extention pipe it sounded like a gun shot when the damn ball joint broke loose, and the Alltrade kit not only survived, but did all 4 joints like that and has been used on other vehicles including my FIL's tractor and hasn't failed me yet, and well worth what I paid for it...
bw77
Well-known member
1SlowFormula
Well-known member
I will have to confirm any stampings when I get home from work, but I don't recall looking for any when using it, lol.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The Snap-On one is just bad ***. It works great. That said, it was a little out of my price range when I was looking to buy. I went with the OTC (6530 I think) and it has served me well for the past eight or ten years now. It has never let me down.
Mike.
OTC Master Ball Joint set.
Mike.
OTC Master Ball Joint set.
Astro_Pneumatic_Tools
Well-known member
Mokkun
Member
Sorry to dig up an old thread. My question is sort of related.
Anyone have a part number for the adaptor cups for a 2006 F350 4X4.
All I keep finding is 04 and older ones. They changed the lower ball joint
size in about 05.
As for OTV Vs others. I like my OTC press. Makes pressing out old
u-joints a ease. and even better putting the caps back in and into
place. No more hammer and dropped needle bearings.
I even went as far as calling OTC and the guy could not give me an
answer. They wanted me to buy a $56 user manual and then look up
the ones I needed.
OTC would make me and the bank happy but any quality tool truck
one would be good.
Thanks
Sean
Anyone have a part number for the adaptor cups for a 2006 F350 4X4.
All I keep finding is 04 and older ones. They changed the lower ball joint
size in about 05.
As for OTV Vs others. I like my OTC press. Makes pressing out old
u-joints a ease. and even better putting the caps back in and into
place. No more hammer and dropped needle bearings.
I even went as far as calling OTC and the guy could not give me an
answer. They wanted me to buy a $56 user manual and then look up
the ones I needed.
OTC would make me and the bank happy but any quality tool truck
one would be good.
Thanks
Sean
OP
psychob0b1977
Well-known member
I do know that the snap on BJP1 kit does include adapters for the 2005 - 07 F350s.
but the snap on adapters wont work with the otc press.
as far as what adapters to use, have you tried doing a google search for a user manual for the press that you have?
but the snap on adapters wont work with the otc press.
as far as what adapters to use, have you tried doing a google search for a user manual for the press that you have?
padronanniversary
Well-known member
I have broke three HF sets. Borrowed a snap on one and it was night and day the construction. the HF one flexes. after using the SO one I bought one, yes lots of coverage I may not use but last time working on my truck I was stuck. MY SO guy lives nearby and saved my ****
Mokkun
Member
I have an OTC press.
One thing I did not know that the Snap-On adaptors would not work with it.
The sad thing about searching is the paid for placement stuff comes up
in the top of the listing. I have been finding the older adaptors.
On the up side after a lot of digging I went about it from a new direction
and did find a better OTC catalog/instruction PDF. We shall see.
Sean
Edit : I should of asked this when I posted this response.
Any of the other tool truck brands that are known to not work with other presses like OTC?
One thing I did not know that the Snap-On adaptors would not work with it.
The sad thing about searching is the paid for placement stuff comes up
in the top of the listing. I have been finding the older adaptors.
On the up side after a lot of digging I went about it from a new direction
and did find a better OTC catalog/instruction PDF. We shall see.
Sean
Edit : I should of asked this when I posted this response.
Any of the other tool truck brands that are known to not work with other presses like OTC?
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WhiffySpark
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2009
- Messages
- 6,252
I have an OTC press.
One thing I did not know that the Snap-On adaptors would not work with it.
The sad thing about searching is the paid for placement stuff comes up
in the top of the listing. I have been finding the older adaptors.
On the up side after a lot of digging I went about it from a new direction
and did find a better OTC catalog/instruction PDF. We shall see.
Sean
Edit : I should of asked this when I posted this response.
Any of the other tool truck brands that are known to not work with other presses like OTC?
I use an astro master set with Otc press. Snapon won't work because the cups click together for that system.
I have yet to find a ball joint I can't do. We do a lot of them
trackwelder
Well-known member
I have an OTC press.
One thing I did not know that the Snap-On adaptors would not work with it.
The sad thing about searching is the paid for placement stuff comes up
in the top of the listing. I have been finding the older adaptors.
On the up side after a lot of digging I went about it from a new direction
and did find a better OTC catalog/instruction PDF. We shall see.
Sean
Edit : I should of asked this when I posted this response.
Any of the other tool truck brands that are known to not work with other presses like OTC?
Could you share the catalog/instruction PDF?
Mokkun
Member
I have it on my computer. Is there way that I can post it here?
The file size is over the limit by quite a bit. 974,078 bytes (975 KB on disk)
If a Mod does not kick me for it here is the direct link.
https://www.otctools.com/sites/default/files/558177_e.pdf
Sean
The file size is over the limit by quite a bit. 974,078 bytes (975 KB on disk)
If a Mod does not kick me for it here is the direct link.
https://www.otctools.com/sites/default/files/558177_e.pdf
Sean
Mokkun
Member
Just getting ready to hit the bed. BUT your in luck
https://www.otctools.com/sites/default/files/558176.pdf
When I have some more time I'll show everyone how to find this.
Sean
https://www.otctools.com/sites/default/files/558176.pdf
When I have some more time I'll show everyone how to find this.
Sean
trackwelder
Well-known member
Thanks!!!!
mattoehler
Active member
- Joined
- May 16, 2015
- Messages
- 35
I have an 05 f150 that I replaced the ball joints in. I got the astro pneumatic 7897 from Amazon and it worked flawlessly. Great price and free shipping to boot.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
Mokkun
Member
As promised here is my how to find the info,info.
In the 2 PDFs I posted you look at the bottom for the
"BALL JOINT QUICK REFERENCE" That will give you the
kit number to look for. Then go to https://www.otctools.com
Enter that # into the search box. That will give you a list of kits.
Pick the kit your looking for. On the page for each kit page
View media item 53177
You look on the tab for "Downloads"
If there is an instruction set it will be there.
Now that I have shared my secret. Your all welcome to share it.
Hope this will help people.
Enjoy and thanks for making me look and all the suggestions.
Sean
In the 2 PDFs I posted you look at the bottom for the
"BALL JOINT QUICK REFERENCE" That will give you the
kit number to look for. Then go to https://www.otctools.com
Enter that # into the search box. That will give you a list of kits.
Pick the kit your looking for. On the page for each kit page
View media item 53177
You look on the tab for "Downloads"
If there is an instruction set it will be there.
Now that I have shared my secret. Your all welcome to share it.
Hope this will help people.
Enjoy and thanks for making me look and all the suggestions.
Sean
wolf_from_wv
Well-known member
http://www.moogproblemsolver.com/_pdf_en2/DYK12_101_En.pdf
Info about "memory steer" after installing moog ball joints on straight axle Ford Super Duty and Dodge Ram HD 2500/3500 trucks.
Info about "memory steer" after installing moog ball joints on straight axle Ford Super Duty and Dodge Ram HD 2500/3500 trucks.
Mokkun
Member
Well been a bit and I should update on the press adaptors.
They are not the right ones for installing the joints in a 2006 F350 4WD
The adaptors won't bottom the joint on install. Oh Well live and learn.
Sean
They are not the right ones for installing the joints in a 2006 F350 4WD
The adaptors won't bottom the joint on install. Oh Well live and learn.
Sean
WhiffySpark
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2009
- Messages
- 6,252
I did one earlier this week? perhaps you have it set up wrong
Mokkun
Member
06? They changed the ball joint size in 05.
They go part way and don't bottom.
Anyway job is done and over with.. The rest of the kit cam in handy to do
all the U-joints so was not a total loss.
Sean
They go part way and don't bottom.
Anyway job is done and over with.. The rest of the kit cam in handy to do
all the U-joints so was not a total loss.
Sean
WhiffySpark
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2009
- Messages
- 6,252
Yep you just have to learn how to use the kit. I had an Otc hub grappler for fwd drive bearings. I learned last week not all the part numbers are right on the diagrams lol
Mokkun
Member
Well the big thing is it's done and in the end that is what really matters.
Drives so much better.
Sean
Drives so much better.
Sean