Great little tool. One suggestion: Oil the threads at the nut/threaded shaft area before going at it with the impact wrench. The tool will likely have a longer cycle life if it is always generously lubricated.
Awesome tool for the price. I would recommend lubing up the threads on the tool and the face of the nut/washer to extend the life of the tool. The guys who use this all the time should look into the Company 23 tool as a more robust option.
For 25 30 bucks...i can't see why i wouldn't get it lol. Man let alone some tools saving 15 minutes, but the hassle of trying that otherwise? Nice to be able to get things done on a low tool basis, but let's be real, having the right tool helps so much
👍👍👍👍👍👍 another excellent presentation. Any chance of showing us some the problems and fixes with the removal of the pinch bolt. (Hokitika Sth Westland NZ) 😎
used mine a few times worked really well, eventually the threads got destroyed. never lubed them up though. i’m sure i’d have better luck if i maintained it.
I'm the only one in my shop who has one. It's funny watching the other guys spend 10 minutes hammering on it with an air hammer and mines out in 10 seconds.
That's truly a tool that will earn it's keep, even if you only use it once. When it comes to the irritating task that is ball joint replacement anything that makes it easier/quicker is appreciated!
I love this tool, worth every penny. I just hope there’s another tool that makes removing the pinch bolt come out as easily.....oh, wait, there is! The Shake’nBrake!
I prefer the other style like snap-on makes, but company 23 makes a cheaper version, still a bit more pricy than this one, but all are a killer tool to save so much time and headache. Also, 99% of those pinch bolts need a torch to break free without snapping, when in doubt, torch it out!
I don't find ball joints all that bad...my only issue is sometimes having not the PERFECT adaptor. Too small, maybe too big, might slide off ect. Even if you buy a decent kit for a couple hundred bucks, its easily paid off once you do a couple few balljoints.
my favorite tool purchase of 2021! took 5 minutes to get a balljoint out. so easy. must have for any Subaru DIYer. must be lubed with grease though - can't be emphasized enough
Son of a Bish, i spent 6 hours yesterday beating the crap out of 2 ball joints on my wifes 01 rustbelt forester. if I would have had one of these it would have been much better?!
Just ordered. That looks soooo much better than my old beat and fight and swear method. Did break off my damned pinch bolt despite heating though, damned CT car.
ordered this tool 2 days ago from amazon to get out a totally seized ball joint from my 2014 wrx. this car sat for 6 months before the owner sold it and then sat for 3 months at the dealer before i bought it after driving in ohio for 8 years. every single nut and bolt on this thing is rust welded. the tool comes today. im really praying this tool gets the ball joint out. already had to drill out the pinch bolt to replace with a nut and bolt. this car is a pain atm
I got this this point and after being stumped for an hour came up with this solution. I loosely bolted the knuckle back in to the car - balljoint, tierod and strut. Found a 2ft long 2x4 and put one end down on the lca with the wheel turned to full lock. Big f'n hammer down the other end of the 2x4 and it yanked the balljoint right out.
That’s pretty awesome! Im up in the north so I always throw a license plate around the CV boot break out the torch and heat where the pinch bolt threads in and they usually come out! Then I also leave it bolted in the control arm! but if i can i will get someone else to pry on it while I use my air hammer with a chisel and carefully hit the lip of the ball joint and it usually comes right out
OMGOSH!!! I wish I knew about this tool before my nightmare. I ended up breaking pinch bolt and drilling it out but had to use a cutting torch to get the remaining cup of the balljoint out, after grinding, cutting, beating, and cursing the ball joint for 5 hours...
Here in Australia we don't use salt on the roads so I've never had an issue with Subaru BJ's. I'm in Canberra where cars don't rust as we're 250km or about 150miles from the coast.
Do I have to use an impact drill to use this? I'm still rocking hand tools. Struggled with both ball joints on my gf's 12 legacy. Just failed an inspection on my 06 forester for the ball joints. Here we go...
Thank you for getting back. Thank you for the great videos. You are a big hit here in Montreal Canada. Thanks for every thing you do. Also please keep me posted where I can get a shop manual for my 2021 Cross Trek@@MrSubaru1387
I live in Maine, and bought used Subaru's for all of my five kids to drive in high school and college. (Which is why I have followed this channel for many years!) I saw this tool on South Main Auto's channel and got one for myself. I loved this tool so much, I bought another one for my mechanic to use in his shop. My theory is that the large pinch gap is responsible for letting the salty road water get into bolt threads and the joint around the press-in ball joint. ****Note: make sure to clean out as much rust as possible from the socket and bolt hole after you get it out!**** Therefore, I always re-install with anti-seize on the bolt and around the press-in portion of the ball joint. I then fill the pinch gap with a quality silicone sealant to keep the water and salt out and reduce the chance of excess corrosion from re-forming. I only had to replace one of the ball joints I has previously installed this way, and it popped right out after the bolt was removed easily.
Great little tool. One suggestion: Oil the threads at the nut/threaded shaft area before going at it with the impact wrench. The tool will likely have a longer cycle life if it is always generously lubricated.
I literally ordered this tool while watching this video. Awesome!
Awesome tool for the price. I would recommend lubing up the threads on the tool and the face of the nut/washer to extend the life of the tool. The guys who use this all the time should look into the Company 23 tool as a more robust option.
Been using that tool about a year works great!
Agreed as you say a 3 or 4 hour headache !!! . I'm gonna do my lower control arms bushes later this year and the ball joints.
May well get this 🙏
For 25 30 bucks...i can't see why i wouldn't get it lol. Man let alone some tools saving 15 minutes, but the hassle of trying that otherwise? Nice to be able to get things done on a low tool basis, but let's be real, having the right tool helps so much
Look like it pulled it very smoothly 👍
Definitely a lifesaver on these.
👍👍👍👍👍👍 another excellent presentation. Any chance of showing us some the problems and fixes with the removal of the pinch bolt. (Hokitika Sth Westland NZ) 😎
used mine a few times worked really well, eventually the threads got destroyed. never lubed them up though. i’m sure i’d have better luck if i maintained it.
Yeah, has to be greased/oiled.
@@MrSubaru1387 would wd40 do the trick?
@@Andrew-uf1dw no. WD-40 isn't a lubricant.
Anyone try to do this without impact tool? How much force does it take?
Ouch, my 03 Forester took three days of hammering, chiseling, drilling, cleaning and cussing...per side!
I'm the only one in my shop who has one. It's funny watching the other guys spend 10 minutes hammering on it with an air hammer and mines out in 10 seconds.
That's truly a tool that will earn it's keep, even if you only use it once. When it comes to the irritating task that is ball joint replacement anything that makes it easier/quicker is appreciated!
I love this tool, worth every penny. I just hope there’s another tool that makes removing the pinch bolt come out as easily.....oh, wait, there is! The Shake’nBrake!
I prefer the other style like snap-on makes, but company 23 makes a cheaper version, still a bit more pricy than this one, but all are a killer tool to save so much time and headache.
Also, 99% of those pinch bolts need a torch to break free without snapping, when in doubt, torch it out!
INCREDIBLE. I still have PTSD from the last ball joint I did on my 05 Dodge Magnum (Chicagoland winters 😳)
I don't find ball joints all that bad...my only issue is sometimes having not the PERFECT adaptor. Too small, maybe too big, might slide off ect. Even if you buy a decent kit for a couple hundred bucks, its easily paid off once you do a couple few balljoints.
@@baileyhatfield4273yes! I've learned no matter how many adapter cups you got, you never have a complete set
my favorite tool purchase of 2021! took 5 minutes to get a balljoint out. so easy.
must have for any Subaru DIYer. must be lubed with grease though - can't be emphasized enough
What happens if the tool pulls ball out of the joint
Nightmare pain. 😂 😂
I hadn't seen this one! You can easily spend $25 on a couple of sandwiches nowadays. What an awesome tool, definitely worth getting one.
There are some upsides to California I guess.
So glad i found this video! Right after i spent hours with pickle forks and a hammer banging mine out.😭
I broke my pinch bolt in the same way, after 3 days of drilling and getting nowhere I just said screw it and bought a new steering knuckle
Anybody have experience using this while the knuckle is still on the car? Seems like it would work
And it’s bought
Son of a Bish, i spent 6 hours yesterday beating the crap out of 2 ball joints on my wifes 01 rustbelt forester. if I would have had one of these it would have been much better?!
That pinch bolt has been my nightmare for the past week
Tengo un subaru outback 2008 estándar, y m esta dejando d trabajr en baja cuando en ocasiones lo dejo en neutro mientras voy en marcha
Way better than my Subaru ball joint tool… an old control arm that I thread the ball joint into before smashing it off with a hammer. Works every time
Just ordered. That looks soooo much better than my old beat and fight and swear method. Did break off my damned pinch bolt despite heating though, damned CT car.
Maybe if Subaru would put grease fittings on the ball joints, you wouldn't have all that rust!
I got that tool. It’s a must if u live in the rust belt. 😅
Every subby then 🤣
this fit on 2007 OB? Or is same for all Subbie?
So here's my problem, My threads are like really messed up where the castle nut goes. how would I go about this??
I’ve hit the stud with a hammer and now I can’t get the nut back on to pull the joint out any ideas? I have basic tools
Why am I seeing this now!!! That 1 am headache could have been avoided!!
any tips on getting the pinch bolt out?
Fire. Penetrating oil.
@@MrSubaru1387 Agreed. Oil, torch, impact, repeat.
ordered this tool 2 days ago from amazon to get out a totally seized ball joint from my 2014 wrx. this car sat for 6 months before the owner sold it and then sat for 3 months at the dealer before i bought it after driving in ohio for 8 years. every single nut and bolt on this thing is rust welded. the tool comes today. im really praying this tool gets the ball joint out. already had to drill out the pinch bolt to replace with a nut and bolt. this car is a pain atm
My threads on the ball joint are messed up... Can't get the castle nut to go on so doubt this will thread on. What's another option?
I got this this point and after being stumped for an hour came up with this solution. I loosely bolted the knuckle back in to the car - balljoint, tierod and strut. Found a 2ft long 2x4 and put one end down on the lca with the wheel turned to full lock. Big f'n hammer down the other end of the 2x4 and it yanked the balljoint right out.
Are you turning the ratchet clocklwise or counterclockwise to remove the ball joint?
Impressive cheap fix to help with a frustrating job.
This is why i love ut,my 97 legacy is much easier to work on.I've replaced my whole front end and all my struts and allot of the backend components.
Love it when a tool pays for itself in the first use!!
💯
Just ordered mine. $25.00!!!! What have I been doing all these years. Thank you sir.
I used this tool today and it ripped the threads off my ball joint. Not sure what to try next.
This has been advertised on my Amazon alot lately, wasn't sure if I was going to trust it, guess I'll be trying it!
That’s pretty awesome! Im up in the north so I always throw a license plate around the CV boot break out the torch and heat where the pinch bolt threads in and they usually come out! Then I also leave it bolted in the control arm! but if i can i will get someone else to pry on it while I use my air hammer with a chisel and carefully hit the lip of the ball joint and it usually comes right out
Thanks for the info Mr Subaru! Wish I would have had it last month though 😢
Thank you, I was tearing my hair out trying to figure out how to get these damn things out.
Why cant you just use a run of the mill baaall joint press?
Great video, great tool. Thanks for sharing. Cheers
Very slick. I hope the guy I eventually take my vehicle to when the time comes has that tool. Save him a lot of time so me a lot of money.
Got one for gm truck ball joints?
Thank you!!! That's worth every dime.
Nice video and a very solid recommendation. I have one and it makes that job so much easier. Thanks!
no grease fittings doesn't help with the rust situation either!
Wouldn’t it be easy to tap in a chisel in the split of pinch bolt area??
Add some line to the threads before you use it. Much better for the tool
I bought this tool a few months ago love it even for when the bj ain’t bad, I always heat the pinch bolts too
I have the SNAP ON ball joint tool. Works great!
Another great video as usual. Keep these fun sus videos coming
Very cool tool right there.
Do you rebuild engines or change rod bearings?
Love your Videos! Where can I buy the bushing remover/installer with the different cups?
Snap-on.
OMGOSH!!!
I wish I knew about this tool before my nightmare. I ended up breaking pinch bolt and drilling it out but had to use a cutting torch to get the remaining cup of the balljoint out, after grinding, cutting, beating, and cursing the ball joint for 5 hours...
Ouch. Been there before.
Love your reaction when it comes out, LOL!
Here in Australia we don't use salt on the roads so I've never had an issue with Subaru BJ's.
I'm in Canberra where cars don't rust as we're 250km or about 150miles from the coast.
it also doesnt snow in canberra like it does out here....
COOL! Thanks for sharing.
Can the tool be used to install the new joint?
Neat tool. Thanks for info
That only works for subarus?
This particular tool, yes.
@@MrSubaru1387 I need something for GM vehicles lol
What is the name of the shop where you get your head work done as well as your block work done? Thanks for the great informative videos!!!
Use a small machine shop in Waxhaw, NC.
Wow.....thanks so much!
Cool tool 😎
Do I have to use an impact drill to use this? I'm still rocking hand tools. Struggled with both ball joints on my gf's 12 legacy. Just failed an inspection on my 06 forester for the ball joints. Here we go...
Can I please send me that link for that.ball joint remover...thanks brother
amzn.to/3fNGPHK
Thank u much🤘
Mine works great until the stud pulls out of the ball joint then back to the air chisel and hammer
Ouch...
@@MrSubaru1387 I don’t break em, I just fix em
Thanks for the tip! Just bought one.
Sweet! 🔥
Will you need that for the new Crosstrec
As far as I know, this is still the current ball joint set up on Crosstrek.
Thank you for getting back. Thank you for the great videos. You are a big hit here in Montreal Canada. Thanks for every thing you do. Also please keep me posted where I can get a shop manual for my 2021 Cross Trek@@MrSubaru1387
Great tool. How is a new ball joint installed?
By hand, or tapped in with a soft faced hammer.
@@MrSubaru1387 thanks. Is the same kind of force needed to drive it in?
A video on the install would be cool 🙂. Great vid. BTW...I got my first Koken tools from your videos. Thanks.
Not at all. Removal is only an issue due to rust.
I live in Maine, and bought used Subaru's for all of my five kids to drive in high school and college.
(Which is why I have followed this channel for many years!)
I saw this tool on South Main Auto's channel and got one for myself.
I loved this tool so much, I bought another one for my mechanic to use in his shop.
My theory is that the large pinch gap is responsible for letting the salty road water get into bolt threads and the joint around the press-in ball joint.
****Note: make sure to clean out as much rust as possible from the socket and bolt hole after you get it out!****
Therefore, I always re-install with anti-seize on the bolt and around the press-in portion of the ball joint.
I then fill the pinch gap with a quality silicone sealant to keep the water and salt out and reduce the chance of excess corrosion from re-forming.
I only had to replace one of the ball joints I has previously installed this way, and it popped right out after the bolt was removed easily.