Ball Joint Press

Automotive
1

Hi - do we have a ball joint press, and if so, does anyone know where it is kept?

Much appreciated!

Kevin Vacek

2

We “have or had” a ball joint press set in a blow mold case.

You have to remember that many folks come to makerspace and beat the tools to death from either not knowing or abuse so if it isn’t complete or inop - don’t be surprised. O’Reilly auto parts is not far away.

I bring my own tools (ball joint press kit) for this reason.

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3

Yea, we have multiple ball joint press kits and are located on the shelf to the right when you’re pulling into the shop. It’s located in the cases that’s usually scattered on the shelf.

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4

Thanks Sam! I appreciate the fast response.

Kevin

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5

Thanks Tom. I needed a large allen wrench as well, so I decided to make a tool run and stopped at home for my press. I appreciate it.

Kevin

6

What size Allen ? Just curious.

7

I don’t know what size it was, but 3/8" worked. I found one at DMS.

8

Just fyi, I couldn’t manage to put a working press together last night.

I found maybe a half dozen boxes with assorted fittings, but I only found a clamp and screw in the gray kit, and the threads on the screw had been messed up so much it couldn’t be used.

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9

Thanks for letting me know. I had given up before receiving Sam’s message. If you are in need, please let me know.

10

3/8" ? I thought You meant large like a 17mm Allen for a later model Audi Axle nut.

11

It was for the stabilizer link on a 02 Mercedes. Before running out to try and find the tool, I couldn’t find one that fit at DMS. While I was at the hardware store, everything they had seemed too small, including the 3/8". When I got back to DMS, defeated, I was able to find one that fit. I thought it was 3/8", but I could be wrong. I’m not all that familiar with allen wrench sizes.

12

3/8" is just shy of 10mm

Are you sure it was or is an allen and not a 6 point torx which is more common on a 2002 Benz?

13

That was the case when I used it a few months ago too. One was shattered and the other was missing the rotating point inside the thread if I recall.

14

I honestly don’t know. What I used really looked like an allen wrench.

15

Torx vs. “allen” wrench (6 point hex)

image
image822×301 30.7 KB

from here

16

I get that. What I used really looked like an allen wrench and maybe what I used worked with a torx head.

17

They can when road dirt is in the recess but it was most likely a Torx.

An allen may have ‘worked’ this time and it was only a stab link, but I would not suggest this as a ‘routine or habit’ on that or any car when looking for the proper tool.

Something more critical like an engine component might not be as forgiving and leave you stranded at the Makerspace.

18

Jast - You left out the lovely Ribe socket head bolts - I sure don’t miss those!

19

I did what I did to prevent being stranded at Makerspace lol

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