USA Made Ball Joint Press?!?!?!

[nathan_454]

I have searched and searched, OTC seems to be made in China nowadays, as are the off brands - ATD, Harbor Freight, Sunex, etc etc.

is the Snap On BJP1 the only US made ball joint press avail?

 

[Hiball]

I have searched and searched, OTC seems to be made in China nowadays, as are the off brands - ATD, Harbor Freight, Sunex, etc etc.

is the Snap On BJP1 the only US made ball joint press avail?

I believe So.. I had a Older OTC unit that was US made, Unfortunatly it got stolen and my Replacement was a Newer OTC and it had the big China sticker on the Front. Ive used it a couple times and its yet to fail.

 

[Garys Garage]

MY original Mac was USA made but when on of my employees seized it after no problems in 30 years it was replaced with China made.

 

[nathan_454]

I guess for the money everyone prefers the OTC unit? amazon has it for about 85 dollars which I suppose is a good deal.

 

[nelstomlinson]

If you're buying China, what's the price at Harbor Fright? I thought I saw a set there for about $40 (and might be crazy wrong about that)?

 

[DrkMtnDew]

that BJP1 is very expensive but worth every penny and is U.S. made.

The OTC version works well also and far less expensive, but is made in china.

 

[bobcatdan]

Will it ever end? Chicom is now in the OTC hardline? I get the stinger junk, but real OTC, what next the pullers?

 

[Hiball]

Will it ever end? Chicom is now in the OTC hardline? I get the stinger junk, but real OTC, what next the pullers?

Yes.. I believe they have already started changing over.

 

[Hiball]

that BJP1 is very expensive but worth every penny and is U.S. made.

I stole a BJP1 Master Set at a Auction earlier this year for $75 bucks, Being that i didnt even know what half those adapters fit, I turned it on ebay for $600. They generally bring big money (within 20% of New Retail) All day long there.

 

[bmwpower]

Don't have the press, but I've had good success with Chinese made press parts.

 

[Jamez]

Who cares, just buy one that works.

 

[srmofo]

If you're buying China, what's the price at Harbor Fright? I thought I saw a set there for about $40 (and might be crazy wrong about that)?

Ive seen their pullers fail the first time they were put to use. The press might be different but I would hate to be holding that thing with it cranked down when it lets go.

OTC may now be made in china, but I can guarantee it is of a higher quality then HF. With that being said what is the OPs intentions with it? If he only plans on using it occasionally then it might fit the bill perfectly, just wear gloves and glasses and when things get tight make sure your face isnt near it.

 

[GoBlue]

I have the Snap on B1J1 master set and have had no issues. I highly recommend it. On the other hand a coworker has a chinese OTC and his works just fine as well...ymmv

 

[Guns R Tools]

I have seen HF one bend while using it. Then again I have seen MAC one bend after repeated use.
Bended HF one back to shape with shop press. Haven't seen it used since.

 

[nathan_454]

Ive seen their pullers fail the first time they were put to use. The press might be different but I would hate to be holding that thing with it cranked down when it lets go.

OTC may now be made in china, but I can guarantee it is of a higher quality then HF. With that being said what is the OPs intentions with it? If he only plans on using it occasionally then it might fit the bill perfectly, just wear gloves and glasses and when things get tight make sure your face isnt near it.

I'm a diesel mechanic by trade so It may see occasional use on shoptrucks, or to replace anchor pins on brakes, but my primary reasons for the purchase is to replace the balljoints on my '07 Dodge 2500.

 

[purplezr2]

I'm a diesel mechanic by trade so It may see occasional use on shoptrucks, or to replace anchor pins on brakes, but my primary reasons for the purchase is to replace the balljoints on my '07 Dodge 2500.

OTC has a specific kit for doing dodge trucks, it works great, I used it on my 1998 dodge 2500, even though it is made for newer trucks, kinda spendy, but doing balljoint in about 1.5 hours was worth it, and not fighting with a generic do all unit. Kit is OTC 8031 I believe

 

[BajaBound]

I have the OTC 8031 Chrysler dodge jeep with the updated larger press and it all clicks and works together just like the blp1. I got it for 300 and it has been absolutely abused and I feel that it is a better press than the bjp1.

 

[kythri]

I've done a ton of ball joints with my Astro Pneumatic press bought on Amazon. Zero issues.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

If you want to go on the cheap for personal use, buy the OTC press and go to HF and buy the adapters. If you want USA made, you can do what I did and get a BJP1 and not look back. I have seen a HF press bend but so far, the OTC presses that I have seen are holding up OK.

I like the way that the BJP1 adapters snap onto the press to make using it an easy one man operation. If the OTC 8031 snaps together like the BJP1, it would be a good alternate for the money. The only problem I have with the Snap-on press is the screw. In my opinion, it should have Acme threads instead of std threads to make things easier under load.

 

[BajaBound]

I like the OTC press because it not only works on a bunch of jeeps and dodges but it comes with a lot of adapter options that could work on a variety of vehicles.

 

[theamcaddict]

"In reference to case ID: 000000000915671 from NAPAOnline HelpDesk Thank you for shopping NAPAonline.com. The country of origin of part number 3421 is the US.We apologize for any inconvenience and again we thank you for shopping NAPAonline.com. Regards, Customer Support"

In an E-mail to napa the SER 3421 kit is USA made. I'm in the market for a USA kit.

 

[Hiball]

"In reference to case ID: 000000000915671 from NAPAOnline HelpDesk Thank you for shopping NAPAonline.com. The country of origin of part number 3421 is the US.We apologize for any inconvenience and again we thank you for shopping NAPAonline.com. Regards, Customer Support"

In an E-mail to napa the SER 3421 kit is USA made. I'm in the market for a USA kit.

Im Sorry.. That Napa 3421 appears to be a Rebranded OTC and the Current OTC Production is NOT USA anymore, Here is the OTC and its a Import as i own one. I think your Napa Customer Service rep is just trying to justify Napa's 150% markup over Amazon.

Here is the Napa Link.

 

[enrare]

OTC has a specific kit for doing dodge trucks, it works great, I used it on my 1998 dodge 2500, even though it is made for newer trucks, kinda spendy, but doing balljoint in about 1.5 hours was worth it, and not fighting with a generic do all unit. Kit is OTC 8031 I believe

Do you know if this kit will work on older applications like a 1995 Dodge Diesel 4x4??

 

[theamcaddict]

Im Sorry.. That Napa 3421 appears to be a Rebranded OTC and the Current OTC Production is NOT USA anymore, Here is the OTC and its a Import as i own one. I think your Napa Customer Service rep is just trying to justify Napa's 150% markup over Amazon.

Here is the Napa Link.

The OTC kit is made in USA again.

Sorry to bring it back but now we can have some closure. Lol. [emoji482]

sent from my Moto X