Ball joint press...

[Cracker Red]

Not something I'll be needing every day, so there is no point in spending 250+ on a snap on or Mac.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-3-in-1-Ball-Joint-U-Joint-C-Frame-Press-Kit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4a9ec806ccQQitemZ320491488972QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

Anyone used something like the one above? I need to replace some BJ's on my 318ti.

[jlevie]

I don't think that tool is going to help you get the ball joints separated, though it might be able to press out/in a ball joint. The only ones you'd be doing that to would be the control arms and it makes more sense to simply replace the entire control arm rather than fiddle with the ball joints.

[Cracker Red]

I can get them seperated with a pickle fork, no problem. Mainly need to know if something like that will press them in/out.

IMHO, buying a $20 lemforder BJ to fix the car is cheaper than 125$ for a control arm. Especially when it's on a 318ti :)

[Quadrajet]

I tried the C-style press like that from work, it didn't budge the balljoints. Fortunately I borrowed the hydraulic one as well.

[Cracker Red]

I've got a 20ton shop press in the garage.... I suppose I could just get some steel round stock, turn up the correct sized cups, and use my press.

Or buy the cups (not enough time for all that) and use the shop press....

[Quadrajet]

I had thought of that as well, had no way to make adapters for pressing at the time, but also trying to support the arms while trying to pump the jack was a stumbling block for me.

I was trying to fix my car real quick, I had bent an arm and was swapping balljoints to a straight one to get back on the road. Had to return the tools to work the next day. And it's hard to think when it's 30 degrees in an unheated shop.