[Lokki]

Well the point goes to Alfajay - it's been a week and my nice guy at the small general mechanics shop hasn't called to tell me he's done yet. Not to complain but he's screwing up my momentum. Shoulda bought the press. It woulda still taken me a week no doubt but I'd have been moving forward and I'd own the tool. By the way it ended up requiring the hammer, the tool, and a small torch to get the last ball joint to to pop like a pimple.

 

[r-mm]

Well I got my harbor freight 6 ton shop press (not the a frame one, the one with a deeper working height) and it worked like a charm! The adjustable arbors were very useful. I've only pressed out the lower a arm bearings, but all 4 came out no prob.

 

[Gubi]

Yeah, that's the same one I bought. The a-frame one just doesn't have enough working distance...the bigger one is more useful.

Those 20%-off coupons are like crack.

 

[r-mm]

Yeah, that's the same one I bought. The a-frame one just doesn't have enough working distance...the bigger one is more useful.

Those 20%-off coupons are like crack.

i know. maybe all this hf stuff is going to fall apart in a year, but so far i'm totally into it. engine stand, engine crane, electric impact wrench, hydraulic press: all highly recommended.

 

[sagebrushbob]

I've had all those for 12 years, an never regretted it.

 

[39cub]

I've just disassembled my front suspension and was satisfied -heck, impressed - with this little tool I bought for the project. Got it from NAPA for about $17 but others make similar tools.

It fit well on the tie rod ends and perfectly on the ball joints. A little grease on the threads and a few turns on the bolt and "pop" goes the joint.

https://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?A=BK_7769095_0006537807&An=0

My cheap Harbor Freight 12-ton press pushed the 46 year old A-arms bushings right out, though the rig does make some scary noises as the return springs stretch and the frame finds its "happy place" under force.

A side question: are those cork or felt washers on the A-arm bushings really supposed to last more than a year? Is that a sorry design or am I missing something?

Chuck

 

[cabikefreak]

I can attest to the fact that the whack on the side of the component that is holding on often is what yields the final result!