Lubricating the thread of the c-clamp is a great suggestion many people might not consider. I had a screw jack collapse during use about 40 years ago because I never thought about lubricating the thread. Nice video. Thanks.
I'm getting one of these kits to take with on off-road trips and plan on never having to use it off road, but if I NEED it, it's worth its' weight in gold!
Wow; You must be having a lot of fun if you drive your vehicle so hard off road as to possibly damage a ball joint. Be careful and thanks for watching.
Man, I've went through 3 of these kits, never had one come out that easy. Threads usually tear up, or c-clamp bends with this tool. Maybe time for 4th kit... Great explanation for first time users!
I am retired now, since my retirement I purchased a number of these inexpensive kits for ball joints, bearings and so forth. None of them would hold up under every day use like in a repair shop. Now that I am at home in my own little do it yourself shop these kits are great for occasional use as long as you never use power tools with them and make sure the components are well lubricated. Thanks for watching.
@@182QKFTW Well, it appears that the Harbor Freight press won't snap, but still has major deflection under heavy load. I'm sure it would be just fine for passenger cars. Probably not so much for them pain in the ass Dodge truck ball joints. It's probably just better to rent the tools from the part store and abuse them like everyone else does. I will say that Harbor Freight has definitely stepped up their game with their tools and equipment. Lately, I haven't purchased anything that left me disappointed. They have some of the greatest drill bits I've ever used. Still haven't had one snap or break albeit I'm using them with a milling machine under precise controlled conditions and speed.
@@mds6387 Yep, going to rent the press and try it on a Jeep JK Dana 30 with some $300 TeraFlex joints for a friend. I have a number of their tools as well. Love most of them. Probably going to get one of their boxes
Remember to turn it by hand with a ratchet or wrench, do not use a power tool or you could strip the jack screw. I hope the job goes well. Thanks for watching.
Great video! My ball joint on my third gen camaro is original and there is not a snap ring. Do you know if it is normal for some ball joints to not have one? The new one did not come with one either.
Your Camaro does not require a snap ring. Most vehicles with tapered ball joint pins do not. The vehicle in my video had a strait pin with a locking bolt. Most of these type ball joints have snap rings as did the one in my video. Thanks for the question and thanks for watching.
Let me know how you make out. I have more or less retired from working on jeeps as they get so incredibly rusty. Many of the older ones like yours have been to hell and back. Mud, water, salt beaches.
@@richardspaulding5035 if things go right I'm going to be moving from a little plastic tool box like you'd have in a car trunk to a 27" X 22" top and bottom mechanic tool box from Harbor Freight tomorrow. Going to store it at the small car club I'm in.
Do you think it would work for the round bushing on the other side of that arm you showed? I need to replace one on my 11 Jetta like that. I don’t see why it wouldn’t just wanting to see it done with this kit as my buddy loaned me it.. Good video thanks!
I have only used it a few times. So far it has been ok. many of these inexpensive kits are built for occasional use only. I don't think you could expect it to hold up under every day use such as in a repair shop. Thanks for your question and thanks for watching.
Just used it, a 3/4” ratchet and a hammer on my 97 k1500 …sprayed the joints with PB blaster and took my time. Once The joints moved some I removed the press and gave em a whack and they popped right out!
And your sure right about that I always sell the whole control arm if I see play on the ball joint along with fissures on the control arm bushings, but in some occasions customers can't afford the whole thing and we'll your better with good ball joints that good bushings, xD nobody wants to see they wheel go upwards while driving when that dam balcony l ball joint brakes of lol
This is exactly the case. The car belongs to my nice. She is a single mom and does not have any money. I am retired now and only work on friends and family vehicle's these days.
Thanks for the question. I would not recommend using an air tool. These tools we buy at Harbor Freight and other discount tool stores that are made in wherever are not made for every day use like in an auto shop. Don't get me wrong these tools are just fine for us back yard guys with occasional use only. I am afraid that an air tool would add to much stress to the jackscrew and ware it out very quickly if not the first time you try it. Thanks for watching my channel.
Your better off changing the entire thing, all those bushings are toast anyway. It restores handling and ride . The time it takes to remove old and install new would be the same .Some of these ball joints are press fit and the new ball joint may not fit properly. Great video as always.
Yes, normally I would be inclined to agree, in this instance the car belonged to a single mom, I was just trying to save her some money. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Don't be a stranger.
Gotta love techs who would rather fuck a customer than replace just the component that’s wrong. Not everyone can afford to do the whole damn thing as any tech should know
@@KasparrTVI would always do what the customer wants, just an opinion. And if you're burning the tires off of it which cost money an alignment shop won't do an alignment if the bushings are shot.
in the instruction manual they have the c-clamp the other way around, the manual is really confusing...they have 3 or so pieces not shown how to use. the "noise" could have been the grease seal bursting
I pressed in the ball joint with the control arm held in a vise, It is possible to do it with the control arm still in the vehicle. It may be necessary to do it as shown in the manual when attempting to press the joint on the vehicle.
Every video seems to have a circlip but mone done ..it has splokes which inassume are meant to grab the innee race but it pressed in easier than expected and on the car seems to have up and down play likely over bumps etc
@richardspaulding5035 the other bushings seemed on but nit 100% I'd removed it ..tbh I'm.thinking it'd be a lot easier I think the ball joint either needs a tack weld or 2 or new arm as ypu said ty
@@kevinhancock4064 The new arm will have the balljoint pre-installed.(a lot safer). Often you cannot tell you need to replace the arm until you attempt to press in the ball joint.
@richardspaulding5035 yes I pressed it in using a vice and a bearing spacer ..but went on a bit to easy for my liking ..I believe it can move so I'll be ordering 1 tomorrow just waiting on feedback I'll rider os in a week or so ..all OK 4 now though I usually change both sides on suspension and brake parts
LOL Yes thanks for the question. You are correct. Evidently in the video I did not make it clear what I meant . What I was talking about when I mentioned gravity was the set up, The adaptors and joint kept falling apart as I was trying to get the press/clamp in position. By turning the setup upside down gravity helped hold it together until I fit the clamp/press over the assembly. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to clear that up and thanks for watching my cannel.
@@richardspaulding5035 I knew why you turned it over and found you perfectly clear when pressing bearings or pulling gears or pulleys it seems you need extra hands to hold everything together to get started , thanks for the demostration
When pressing the old one out dont push on the stud's end like you did in the video. Set up the kit to push on the ball joint's body....there will be a shoulder/edge to push.
@@richardspaulding5035 No problem.There is a video on youtube of a hispanic dude pressing out the BJ on a Mustang and pushed directly on the stud and it blew right through the back end of the ball joint but the body of the BJ stayed in the control arm..
@@ablueeyedmale Thanks, these type of tool kits are not made for high production shops. They are made for occasional use by us DIY guys and they are priced accordingly. I have demonstrated similar tools involving a jack screw on my channel. I always crank them slowly by hand. Most are priced under 100 dollars. At that price even if you get only one use it has more than paid for itself considering the high cost of labor. I know it is of little help to you now. Thanks for your honesty, by all means don't be a stranger to my channel
It is always a challenge trying to have room to work and giving the audience a good view. Apparently in this instance I failed. From my knees I apologize 633 times to your sir as that is approximately how many dollars I have earned on that singular video to date. LOL
I aligned it, press it and check to see if it's still aligned. Just before it goes in, it's no longer evenly aligned. I don't know if it has to do with the tool. Ruined my new ball joint. Going to have to buy new one.
Lubricating the thread of the c-clamp is a great suggestion many people might not consider. I had a screw jack collapse during use about 40 years ago because I never thought about lubricating the thread. Nice video. Thanks.
Thanks, Steve for sharing your experience and watching my channel.
I'm getting one of these kits to take with on off-road trips and plan on never having to use it off road, but if I NEED it, it's worth its' weight in gold!
Wow; You must be having a lot of fun if you drive your vehicle so hard off road as to possibly damage a ball joint. Be careful and thanks for watching.
I bought that two weeks ago and since I bought I have not had any ball joint job at the shop xD! Nice to see being used
I was in the same boat Jose, I purchased this kit some time ago. this was my first opportunity to use it. Thanks again for watching
Man, I've went through 3 of these kits, never had one come out that easy. Threads usually tear up, or c-clamp bends with this tool. Maybe time for 4th kit... Great explanation for first time users!
I am retired now, since my retirement I purchased a number of these inexpensive kits for ball joints, bearings and so forth. None of them would hold up under every day use like in a repair shop. Now that I am at home in my own little do it yourself shop these kits are great for occasional use as long as you never use power tools with them and make sure the components are well lubricated. Thanks for watching.
Have had the press completely snap in half on me years ago. I wonder if the kit has been improved any since then.
@@mds6387 Answer! Exactly How Strong are Ball Joint Presses? Harbor Freight vs Amazon th-cam.com/video/Gw_ePOeOXcY/w-d-xo.html
@@182QKFTW Well, it appears that the Harbor Freight press won't snap, but still has major deflection under heavy load. I'm sure it would be just fine for passenger cars. Probably not so much for them pain in the ass Dodge truck ball joints. It's probably just better to rent the tools from the part store and abuse them like everyone else does. I will say that Harbor Freight has definitely stepped up their game with their tools and equipment. Lately, I haven't purchased anything that left me disappointed. They have some of the greatest drill bits I've ever used. Still haven't had one snap or break albeit I'm using them with a milling machine under precise controlled conditions and speed.
@@mds6387 Yep, going to rent the press and try it on a Jeep JK Dana 30 with some $300 TeraFlex joints for a friend. I have a number of their tools as well. Love most of them. Probably going to get one of their boxes
Thank you! Firdt time doing ball joints; this is VERY helpful! Time to go break my Maddox kit in properly.
Remember to turn it by hand with a ratchet or wrench, do not use a power tool or you could strip the jack screw. I hope the job goes well. Thanks for watching.
Thanks Sir .
Greetings from north Texas
Feliz navidad
Thanks for watching.
Excellent video. Thanks.
Thanks for the kind words Robert; I am glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching my channel.
I bought one of these kits and it worked great with no issues except for having to watch a video on how to change them out.
Thanks for sharing that, these inexpensive and kits are for occasional home use only. they should last many years as long as they are used as such.
Nice work / Nice video with excellent narration
Thanks so much for the kind words, by all means don't be a stranger.
Thank you so much, help a lot
Thanks Tze; I am glad you found the video helpful. Thanks for watching and thanks for posting the comment.
Great video !!! That's the way to save money. Subscribed !!!
Thanks for subscribing; glad you enjoyed the video.
Good video. Good explanation.
Thanks, divemaster, for watching and thanks for the kind words.
Great video! My ball joint on my third gen camaro is original and there is not a snap ring. Do you know if it is normal for some ball joints to not have one? The new one did not come with one either.
Your Camaro does not require a snap ring. Most vehicles with tapered ball joint pins do not. The vehicle in my video had a strait pin with a locking bolt. Most of these type ball joints have snap rings as did the one in my video. Thanks for the question and thanks for watching.
Thank you for the video. I'm looking at getting a set so I can do a full front end build on my 88 jeep Comanche.
Let me know how you make out. I have more or less retired from working on jeeps as they get so incredibly rusty. Many of the older ones like yours have been to hell and back. Mud, water, salt beaches.
@@richardspaulding5035 if things go right I'm going to be moving from a little plastic tool box like you'd have in a car trunk to a 27" X 22" top and bottom mechanic tool box from Harbor Freight tomorrow. Going to store it at the small car club I'm in.
Do you think it would work for the round bushing on the other side of that arm you showed? I need to replace one on my 11 Jetta like that. I don’t see why it wouldn’t just wanting to see it done with this kit as my buddy loaned me it.. Good video thanks!
I think you need a different kit for that. Check this video out: th-cam.com/video/5GMVtkK6YjA/w-d-xo.html
How well is the casting made? I had a harbor freight tool that the casting cracked
I have only used it a few times. So far it has been ok. many of these inexpensive kits are built for occasional use only. I don't think you could expect it to hold up under every day use such as in a repair shop. Thanks for your question and thanks for watching.
I like your math n profit theory...
Thanks Shawn I think; I am not sure if you are complimenting me or poking fun at my math LOL. Either way thanks for watching my channel
Just used it, a 3/4” ratchet and a hammer on my 97 k1500 …sprayed the joints with PB blaster and took my time. Once The joints moved some I removed the press and gave em a whack and they popped right out!
great job: thanks for sharing
Hahahaha I was covering my face when you where installing the snap ring, then I realized it's just a video xD
Trust me, I had my safety glasses on. LOL Thanks for watching
And your sure right about that I always sell the whole control arm if I see play on the ball joint along with fissures on the control arm bushings, but in some occasions customers can't afford the whole thing and we'll your better with good ball joints that good bushings, xD nobody wants to see they wheel go upwards while driving when that dam balcony l ball joint brakes of lol
This is exactly the case. The car belongs to my nice. She is a single mom and does not have any money. I am retired now and only work on friends and family vehicle's these days.
Can it be used with air tool??
Thanks for the question. I would not recommend using an air tool. These tools we buy at Harbor Freight and other discount tool stores that are made in wherever are not made for every day use like in an auto shop. Don't get me wrong these tools are just fine for us back yard guys with occasional use only. I am afraid that an air tool would add to much stress to the jackscrew and ware it out very quickly if not the first time you try it. Thanks for watching my channel.
Your better off changing the entire thing, all those bushings are toast anyway. It restores handling and ride . The time it takes to remove old and install new would be the same .Some of these ball joints are press fit and the new ball joint may not fit properly. Great video as always.
Yes, normally I would be inclined to agree, in this instance the car belonged to a single mom, I was just trying to save her some money. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Don't be a stranger.
Gotta love techs who would rather fuck a customer than replace just the component that’s wrong. Not everyone can afford to do the whole damn thing as any tech should know
@@KasparrTVI would always do what the customer wants, just an opinion. And if you're burning the tires off of it which cost money an alignment shop won't do an alignment if the bushings are shot.
in the instruction manual they have the c-clamp the other way around, the manual is really confusing...they have 3 or so pieces not shown how to use. the "noise" could have been the grease seal bursting
I pressed in the ball joint with the control arm held in a vise, It is possible to do it with the control arm still in the vehicle. It may be necessary to do it as shown in the manual when attempting to press the joint on the vehicle.
Every video seems to have a circlip but mone done ..it has splokes which inassume are meant to grab the innee race but it pressed in easier than expected and on the car seems to have up and down play likely over bumps etc
Sound like you need to replace the control arm.
@richardspaulding5035 the other bushings seemed on but nit 100% I'd removed it ..tbh I'm.thinking it'd be a lot easier I think the ball joint either needs a tack weld or 2 or new arm as ypu said ty
@@kevinhancock4064 The new arm will have the balljoint pre-installed.(a lot safer). Often you cannot tell you need to replace the arm until you attempt to press in the ball joint.
@richardspaulding5035 yes I pressed it in using a vice and a bearing spacer ..but went on a bit to easy for my liking ..I believe it can move so I'll be ordering 1 tomorrow just waiting on feedback I'll rider os in a week or so ..all OK 4 now though I usually change both sides on suspension and brake parts
Gravity working in your favor? That might make a difference if you were pushing it in by hand but is meaningless when using a press or clamp.
LOL Yes thanks for the question. You are correct. Evidently in the video I did not make it clear what I meant . What I was talking about when I mentioned gravity was the set up, The adaptors and joint kept falling apart as I was trying to get the press/clamp in position. By turning the setup upside down gravity helped hold it together until I fit the clamp/press over the assembly. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to clear that up and thanks for watching my cannel.
@aleon1018 Thanks; LOL I thought that be the case. You have restored my faith. Thanks for the comment and watching my channel.
@@richardspaulding5035 I knew why you turned it over and found you perfectly clear when pressing bearings or pulling gears or pulleys it seems you need extra hands to hold everything together to get started , thanks for the demostration
@@jeffreyplumber1975 Thanks. yes an extra hand would be nice. thanks for the comment and thanks for watching.
@@richardspaulding5035 Yeah especially filming with one hand!
Use your impact on the end alot easier
Nice way to strip the jackscrew. No thanks, these are not high end tools.
When pressing the old one out dont push on the stud's end like you did in the video. Set up the kit to push on the ball joint's body....there will be a shoulder/edge to push.
Thanks for the tip.
@@richardspaulding5035 No problem.There is a video on youtube of a hispanic dude pressing out the BJ on a Mustang and pushed directly on the stud and it blew right through the back end of the ball joint but the body of the BJ stayed in the control arm..
@@johnjohnson1313 Thanks again, by all means don't be a stranger
@@johnjohnson1313that is really good when that happens. You can slit the remaining bit with a hacksaw then and it will just fall out.
first job i did the Threads striped and i lubed the crap out of it.. not a good tool.
I bet you used a power tool on it. ??
@@richardspaulding5035 I wont lie. yes i did.
@@ablueeyedmale Thanks, these type of tool kits are not made for high production shops. They are made for occasional use by us DIY guys and they are priced accordingly. I have demonstrated similar tools involving a jack screw on my channel. I always crank them slowly by hand. Most are priced under 100 dollars. At that price even if you get only one use it has more than paid for itself considering the high cost of labor. I know it is of little help to you now. Thanks for your honesty, by all means don't be a stranger to my channel
Hope I’m not blocking your view too badly: his entire hand in the way..lol
It is always a challenge trying to have room to work and giving the audience a good view. Apparently in this instance I failed. From my knees I apologize 633 times to your sir as that is approximately how many dollars I have earned on that singular video to date. LOL
My kit is defective or I.... never mind we are both defective 🤣
You are not alone, I just turned 70 and am loaded with defects.
I aligned it, press it and check to see if it's still aligned. Just before it goes in, it's no longer evenly aligned. I don't know if it has to do with the tool. Ruined my new ball joint. Going to have to buy new one.
I am sorry your having difficulty. I wish I could be there to see what you are doing.