Preferred ball joint press?

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Derick

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Hey ya'll...do you guys have a preferred ball joint press? I had to put on a new ball joint over the weekend and it was a bear with the unit I rented from oreilly. I just felt like it was going to break. Do you guys have units that you like and work with HD type equipment?
 

wjburken

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The Powerbuilt brand that I used from AutoZone seemed to work fine. The main issue I had was getting a rental set from AutoZone that had all the adapters and spacers with it. They ended up taking a brand new one off the shelf for me because they could make a complete set with the ones they had.
 

Joseph Garcia

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I replaced my control arms, which came with new ball joints attached. It seemed to be an easier and much more complete maintenance task to refresh the suspension bushings.
 

OR VietVet

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I agree with @Joseph Garcia and use the complete arms with new ball joints and new bushings.

I have this Maddox one from Harbor Freight and it worked fine the 2 or 3 times I've used it.

There is a guy here in Eugene, selling the same set for $50. Of no use to me because I use the whole arm. Could likely buy for $30 though.

 
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I agree with @Joseph Garcia and use the complete arms with new ball joints and new bushings.


There is a guy here in Eugene, selling the same set for $50. Of no use to me because I use the whole arm. Could likely buy for $30 though.

I bought mine 3-4 years ago. It was like $59 and I had a 10% off coupon. I've used it on my 2001 and 2011.

OP, don't forget that if replacing the upper arms to get an alignment afterwards.
 
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Derick

Derick

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I agree with @Joseph Garcia and use the complete arms with new ball joints and new bushings.
Indeed, however on the 2500s, there is no lower control arm. I'll assume the 1500s do. I know my old envoy did. But on the 2500 burb its a torsion bar suspension, so you MUST press in a new ball joint. God I wish they had bolt on BJs.
 

Tonyv__

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The Powerbuilt brand that I used from AutoZone seemed to work fine. The main issue I had was getting a rental set from AutoZone that had all the adapters and spacers with it. They ended up taking a brand new one off the shelf for me because they could make a complete set with the ones they had.
Because they don’t even look at the tools when you bring them back lol
 

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