These ball joint tools any good?

[pbsun]

So I've been trying to find tools which will help make strut removal a less than pain in the ass experience. I've always had to bang away at tie rod and control arm ball joints sometimes tearing the ball joint boots in the process in order to get them off. I've used a tool from Harbor Freight but frankly it sucks. I know that I'll continuously tinker with my suspension over the course of my ownership of the car so I started researching for more than capable tools to make the work easier. Does anyone have any experience with any of the tools linked? They seem to be the tools that dealer use but I don't seem to see them used by the DIY'er. Thanks.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Brand-Sir-Tools-Sirbmw3029-Heavy-Duty-Separator-/251786462542?hash=item3a9fa4854e

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Brand-Sir-Tools-Sirbmw3030-Heavy-Duty-Extractor-/251786462302?hash=item3a9fa4845e

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Brand-Sir-Tools-Sir1014-Tie-Rod-Separator-W-25Mm-Saddle-/251786308308?hash=item3a9fa22ad4&item=251786308308&vxp=mtr

[noahsense]

These ball joint tools any good?

Hairpin type ball joint tools seem to be easier to get into tight places and you can get one for $22 at Harbor Freight. It's a perfectly fine tool.

HR tie rod tool

The OTC tool on Amazon looks nice too. Whatever you get, make sure that the install side edges are beveled.

[jeffnhiscars]

SIR Tools makes killer tools. I like the one in the 3rd pic

[pbsun]

I tried the HF tool and when tightening it the screw started to slip, also (probably my fault for not using a nut on the stud) the stud bent where the tool pushes down on it. I figure these SIR tools will fit the cavity that's on the top of the stud and apply pressure directly down on it. As far as whether any of these will fit given that the control arm ball joint is in a tight spot I don't know, this would be my only concern.

[dadsbmw]

I just took a heavy rubber mallet to the top... popped it out of the strut housing without much trouble.

[nando]

I use the HF one all the time.

on the ix, it's not possible to hit the top of the ball joint with a hammer. the HF tool makes removing the control arm significantly less painful. what could take several hours of frustration takes about 5 minutes. I wear heavy gloves and safety glasses in case that thing shatters for some reason, but I don't think it will.

I always use it with the nut in place (not on the stud itself) since it's easily replaceable, and also because on the ix it's not possible to remove the nut without popping the ball joint out anyway..

[jeffnhiscars]

I snapped the HF BJ tool and recently bent one of their $10 coil spring compressors. Enough cheap tools for me

[pbsun]

Yeah exactly, I don't want to bother with cheap tools knowing I'll be in it for the long run.

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[noahsense]

These ball joint tools any good?

Yeah, the HF spring compressors are garbage and it's amazing to see the prices identical tools go for on eBay.

[nouseforaname]

+1 for the harbor freight tool, though i've only used it twice. longevity? dunno.

i can say though, i got the tool wound down on one balljoint and gave it a tap and it popped open nicely. no excitement. the second side of the car, the little tap didn't do anything. a few more turns, another tap. nothing. a few more turns and the tool is starting to flex, and BAM!! the joint exploded as i was picking up the hammer. loudest noise my garage has ever heard. really glad i didn't have a fingers in the way.

the second time i used the tool, things hadn't been bolted together for more than a couple of months. so no excitement that time around, thankfully.

i think in my experience of really old tie rods that had been bolted up for who knows how many miles and years, i would have strongly preferred a sturdier tool.

[Coupelx]

2 hammers. hold one decent sized ball peen against the spindle where the stud goes through, hit with short handled sledge hammer. profit.

[oprahhwinfreyy]

Air hammer and a pickle fork "bit". Literally knocks them out in 2 seconds

[BMWManiac]

4 pound sludge hammer...never have an issue removing ball joints from the strut or subframe....

Of course, i never plan to reuse these parts either

[cleanasse30]

I got the gear wrench one amazon and it works well, only used it once though but it seems well built.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o01_s00