Snap On ball joint press?
- Thread starter Jason280
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rlitman
Well-known member
They don't at all resemble each other. From what I can tell, Snap-On makes theirs in-house.
I've heard lots of great things about the BJP1.
Personally, I've got a knockoff of the OTC. One thing I did, was copy Snap On, and drill and tap a hole into the side of the thread collar, and install a grease zerk. It really helps.
If your current press has been used and has remained square and straight there is no reason to replace it. OTC makes some quality tools so you're probably not missing much.
If you had a harbor freight and were looking to upgrade then yes absolutely, but the otc should be fine.
I have a Matco BJ press that has worked beautifully dozens of times, the HF press didn't make it through one set of ball joints.
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If you had a harbor freight and were looking to upgrade then yes absolutely, but the otc should be fine.
I have a Matco BJ press that has worked beautifully dozens of times, the HF press didn't make it through one set of ball joints.
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rlitman
Well-known member
Well greased threads turn easier. But just remember not to rub your nose or forehead after using the press. It gets a bit messy.Mr Ratchet
Well-known member
I have at least a dozen pushes each through cheaper Powerbuilt, HF, and some other no name unit. No problems with any of them. This would be one of the last tools I would spend a ton of money on. If I did them every day, maybe depending on how the cheaper ones held up.
WhiffySpark
Well-known member
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- Oct 22, 2009
- Messages
- 6,252
Bjp1 is on a different level. Just the cups sticking together is worth it
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Incorrect. Not even near the same in quality nor adapters required.
I have both the OTC master set and the Snap-On Ball Joint press and since purchasing my Snap-On BJ press a few years ago I don't even think I have opened the OTC press. I love the Snap-On press and highly recommend it.
If you passed on a Snap On ball joint press for $200, you should stop what your doing and immediately go get it, Then again it’s probably gone by now. I’ve sold probably 10-15 of those sets and the least I’ve ever gotten was like $400 for a complete set (heavily used) with cracked case.
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Two Door
Well-known member
I've read several of these threads where some of the posters have both styles of press. Every one of them says the Snap-On press (about $700, as I remember) is worth it, but I suspect they are in a professional environment. If I could get one for $200, I probably would!
Edit - The post from ZMotorsports is typical of what I've seen.
Edit - The post from ZMotorsports is typical of what I've seen.
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anndel
Well-known member
I would get it.
chrisnazzy
Well-known member
Yeah $200 for a complete BJP1 set would have been a "you ****" deal. As others have said it is highly regarded as the absolute best out there.
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Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
I own one, and I will buy a 2nd for $200 right now. Where's it at?
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
Own both OTC and BJP1....I hope the OP is talking about the old Snap On style and not a BJP1.....if not, you passed a SMOKING deal. BJP1 is in its own league!
kythri
Well-known member
If there was a BJP1 kit anywhere near me for $400, I'd be all over that. $200?! Absolutely no question.
Not knocking my OTC or Astro kits, but, yeah, the BJP1 kit is most definitely one of those places Snap-on excels.
Not knocking my OTC or Astro kits, but, yeah, the BJP1 kit is most definitely one of those places Snap-on excels.
I have one. Absolutely awesome and lifetime warranty. I broke two OTC presses prior and then got my BJP1. Just be sure to keep it well lived. I had to have my C press and Screw warrantied once.
-Pat
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-Pat
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Coworker has the set and that's the main reason he bought the set.
GTA Matt
Well-known member
For 200 bucks I'd knock my own grandmother out of the way to get my hands on one. I have the otc and the bjp1, again, the snap on is well worth its price. My only regret was not getting one sooner. The otc did get me through hundreds of jobs without a problem, but the snap on can really save some time and frustration.
trackwelder
Well-known member
It’s awesome for doing u joints as well
Lassen Forge
Well-known member
No way, dude, don't get it. Way too much money for it, they're trash... Where did you say it was, and the guys phone number? 
If you don't jump on that for that price, someone else already probably has. I know I would.
If you don't jump on that for that price, someone else already probably has. I know I would.
KM223
Well-known member
No they did not. OTC isn’t in the same universe as a BJP1!
Jlbc212
Well-known member
I'm just a shade tree mechanic and I own the Snap-On press. It's the only Snap-On tool that I own. I only wish I had the smaller cups to press out some of the smaller ball joints like those on a Honda Civic.
psychob0b1977
Well-known member
I have the snap on bjp1 kit and I can't recommend it enough! I am only a family mechanic so it doesn't get a whole lot of use.
On one truck I was working on, a Ford 4x4 with the ttb front axle, it was literally the only tool in the world that could complete the job the way I did it, saving me several hours. On that truck you have to pull the differential apart to remove a clip to replace the u joints in the axle. But not with the snap on bjp1. The way the press is shaped, you can fit it on just right and remove the u joints while still in the truck! Saved me hours of labor!
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On one truck I was working on, a Ford 4x4 with the ttb front axle, it was literally the only tool in the world that could complete the job the way I did it, saving me several hours. On that truck you have to pull the differential apart to remove a clip to replace the u joints in the axle. But not with the snap on bjp1. The way the press is shaped, you can fit it on just right and remove the u joints while still in the truck! Saved me hours of labor!
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jchetty
Well-known member
Wait, what?Not even in the league. I did front ball joints on 2 cars befor lunch. I am no mechanic- the BJP-1 is one of those tools that when you need it you need it.
Right up there with my induction heater. Next time I do springs, I am buying the Branix spring compressor. I do it to save money and save my sanity. I buy tools that allow me to safer and faster.
redwrench60
Well-known member
Don't walk back, run back and throw the money at them. I've had mine for years now. It's on it's own level.
BiltFordTuff
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2010
- Messages
- 104
I have the Snap On BJP1 and i absolutely love it. Havent ran into a situation that it wouldnt work for me yet. All the adapters snap together so you dont have to try and hold them in place while you are tightening it. Makes ball joints and u-joints a breeze. Highly recommend it.
Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
I had to make an angled adapter for the 1ton AAM axles. I know SO makes one, but I was off in the woods and had an old bearing. I have a few bearing parts in my BJP case to increase the size ranges a bit, and a fishmouthed pipe that fits driveshafts. I use it on quite a few control arm bushings too. I'd probably use a shop press for those if I did't work out of a truck though.
You'll notice a lot of difference...
When you have all the adapters stacked on and they don't fall off
When you hold the massive C frame of the press
When it doesn't bend, strip, or go ****-eyed on you while using it.
When you can get 99% of the vehicles out there done without 100 different adapters
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
A complete, good shape BJP1!?.....please allow me to be the first....YOU ****!
You will laugh at the OTC after using that thing.
psychob0b1977
Well-known member
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
redwrench60
Well-known member
You can tell who has and hasn’t actually used the Snap On set on by the responses in this thread. I used the OTC set for years and got by but after trying the SO set on a variety of vehicles on balljoints, driveshafts, control arm bushings and various other intermittent tasks I realized how versatile it really is.
The user friendliness, versatility and brute strength it has makes it the best in the business. It opens wider than the OTC, has a deeper c-frame throat depth, has better thought out adaptors and it’s reversible so it does most balljoints without removing the control arm.
The user friendliness, versatility and brute strength it has makes it the best in the business. It opens wider than the OTC, has a deeper c-frame throat depth, has better thought out adaptors and it’s reversible so it does most balljoints without removing the control arm.
montanafordman
Well-known member
Yep. You ****. I have used an OTC knockoff before and it worked so-so. I had another job to do (and I"m just a shade tree home wrench) and sprung for a BJP1. I had been following them on Ebay forever and when one came up for $425 shipped to my door I jumped on it and have no regrets even though that's much more than I'd normally be willing to spend on a tool I don't use that often. I also liked the fact that I don't need so many adapters (basically 2 cases between the press and the adapters for an OTC kit) taking up all the room in my toolbox. If it cuts down on the time I need to do a job, and makes it more fun its worth it even for a shade tree guy like me.
anndel
Well-known member
Awesome, great score!
Snap_cap
Well-known member
There is a F450/F550 specific adapter that should simplify that job.
Oh, BTW, you ****.
