Ball Joint’s Problem, Advice please.

[Aussie Explorer]

My Moog Ball Joint’s just arrived upper and lower.

Am all set to do it until I ventured around to 3 Auto parts shops out of 3 only one had a Ball joint press Listed and they have never stocked them, got a price on it $550.

So is there any way of doing it without the Press, I can see 3 way’s.

1. Modify a heavy-duty G clamp and use Stainless steel tube to press the new joints in. Use a 2 jaw puller to remove the old ones or the G clamp with large diameter tube underneath the Ball joint to allow the Joint to come out
2. Remove the Lower control arm and take it into work and use the Hydraulic press to remove and install them. (PITA but)
3. Buy the Press from summit Racing for $155AUS and wait another 1 or 2 weeks to do it.

Can also get a workshop to do the Lowers but they would probably charge me $150 labour anyway to do it.

So all you guys who have done them before would the G-Clamp idea work.

3. is the only other option I really would look at, as removing the Lower Control arms looks like a bit of a mission.

Oh and No Rent a BJ Press Shops around like you guy have.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[snoborder42]

I would really stay away from using a clamp to do it. I just can't believe that there are no machine shops or anything that has a press that you could use.

 

[Aussie Explorer]

Yeah can get access to a Hydraulic Press no problems at work, But I would need the control arm removed for that.

As for Borrowing a Ball Joint Press I don’t like my chances< If some guy walked in off the street and ask to rent a expensive tool from you for a day would you give it to him? I am a Mechanical Fitter and I sure wouldn’t lend my tools out to some random off the street.

The one place that had the Press listed is a big Automotive Supplier for Mining companies and Mechanical Shops Including Ford dealerships being that they have never even stocked that tool I don’t think there would be many around.

Will ring up a suspension shop shortly to see if they have one, will also call around to a mechanics.

I thought of the G-Clamp idea as in the photo of the Press it looks like a heavy duty G Clamp with some tube adaptors for pressing the Joint in and out.

Cheers

 

[Aussie Explorer]

Just called up a suspension place about the BJ Press, Said they are not sure as they have never done an Explorer before but if I bring it on Monday they will have a look and let me know if they have the correct tool. It’s Saturday lunchtime now so most workshops are closing.

I don’t think they will lend it out to me, so what do you guys think.

1. Should I replace the Uppers then take it in to get the lowers done then they can do the wheel aliment at the same time (But then you basically need to tear it down agene just to do the lowers anyway)
2. So should I just remove the Lower control arm and take that in and get them to press the old ones out and put the new ones in. It look’s like it is almost less work and easier to take the Lower control arm out and do it.
3. Just give em the parts and get them to fit it all to save all the stuffing around depending on the fitting price.