Ball Joint socket and tools needed
04-30-2016, 03:44 PM
#11
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Merced, ca
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04-30-2016, 04:07 PM
#12
JK Freak
PS: Ended up radiac cut one of the Harbor Freight sleeves to get that angle you mentioned.
04-30-2016, 04:09 PM
#13
Super Moderator
Boy, this brings back memories. I bought the press at Harbor Frieght and broke the press on the first one while my buddy was welding up the C's one the second side. Heating them up was the difference for sure. Second side was so much easier.
PS: Ended up radiac cut one of the Harbor Freight sleeves to get that angle you mentioned.
PS: Ended up radiac cut one of the Harbor Freight sleeves to get that angle you mentioned.
04-30-2016, 04:59 PM
#14
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My hf one is slightly bent, but still works. I looked into a snap on one today. My head almost exploded when I saw the price. $715. I'll just keep bending the cheap ones.
04-30-2016, 05:11 PM
#15
Super Moderator
04-30-2016, 10:29 PM
#16
JK Jedi Master
You can see the one I used in the images I linked above. One clearly shows the part number. Also have the Chrysler/Jeep special adapters for the angled seat. It works great, and has lifetime warranty.
05-24-2016, 06:52 AM
#17
JK Freak
Thread Starter
So just to share my experience. My ball joints were put on a hold for a week since I didn't have the appropriate tool. The standard car ball joint press kit rentable from autozone didn't quite work. I was able to remove upper and lower with it as well as install lower, but could not install the upper with it. I needed a special cup with a curve cut into to so it would contour to the bottom edge of the upper C. I ended up borrowing a chrysler suv ball joint press kit from someone local. It was designed for all mopar trucks/jeeps up to 1998.
It wasn't perfect but it worked.
Prior to the suv kit, i was using washers as spacers but if you've changed jk ball joints, you'll find you only get about 1/4" of surface to set a washer on before it will get in the way of the upper ball joint dropping down into the C. Not enough to comfortably apply the force needed to press a ball joint.
All in all after getting the "right" tool it was smooth sailing.
Jeep rides better now, the little bit of slop is gone and it feels tighter. Need an alignment now though.
Sent while gazing at my Jeep
It wasn't perfect but it worked.
Prior to the suv kit, i was using washers as spacers but if you've changed jk ball joints, you'll find you only get about 1/4" of surface to set a washer on before it will get in the way of the upper ball joint dropping down into the C. Not enough to comfortably apply the force needed to press a ball joint.
All in all after getting the "right" tool it was smooth sailing.
Jeep rides better now, the little bit of slop is gone and it feels tighter. Need an alignment now though.
Sent while gazing at my Jeep