What's the correct / best ball joint removal set?

Irun

A vicious cycle of doing, undoing, and re-doing!
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I struggled last time installing a set of Ball Joints, using the rented tool from the parts store. Doing a little reading last night, I came across this set that is supposed to be specifically for the angled Cs on the Dana 30 and 44.

OTC 7894
https://www.amazon.com/gp/huc/view.html?ie=UTF8&newItems=C7e27c5f9-2611-4391-9f9f-2e440fc51bac,1

Off course it has to be used in conjunction with the service kit, which they have shown as OTC 7249
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRGXY/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Are these correct? Or, is there another preferred set?
 
I have a Astro 7897.
I been using it for years. Hasn’t let me down yet

D2B5547D-D611-4584-A813-AFA94DF6291D.jpeg
 
I have a US made OTC 7249 and it has been a great setup. It works well on anything from ball joints to pressing in axle studs or u-joints. The correct adapters can definitely make the job easier.

My buddy had a Harbor Freight version and it was a POS.
 
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I have a US made OTC 7249 and it has been a great setup. It works well on anything from ball joints to pressing in axle studs or u-joints. The correct adapters can definitely make the job easier.

My buddy had a Harbor Freight version and it was a POS.
Definitely won't do HF. I bought one and it bent the first time I used it. You're right about the adapters helping. I rented a kit from Advance Auto last time I did a set. The kit worked, but it was a royal pain getting them in straight without the adapter set!
Pretty sure I have this one as well. I will double check--you could always save money by borrowing this and put it towards your new GMRS radio 😆
I may take you up on this. Text me if you find it!
 
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If you are needing one just for your personal use then a rental or Harbor Freight is fine. The one on Amazon is fine. Unless you are using in a shop where it could be a monthly or weekly use tool then getting a Snap-on or similar doesn't matter.
 
If you are needing one just for your personal use then a rental or Harbor Freight is fine. The one on Amazon is fine. Unless you are using in a shop where it could be a monthly or weekly use tool then getting a Snap-on or similar doesn't matter.
Definitely for personal use. I tried the HF route and the C bent the first time I used it. Granted, it was a stubborn seized BJ. I then went to Advance and rented one of theirs. It did the job, but I can see where the notched and angled adapters in the OTC 7894 kit would make the job easier. :unsure:
 
I’ll also vouch for the OTC set. Makes ball joints and u joints a breeze. It’s a nice tool!
 
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fuck i'll buy someone the tools if they want to help me out with some extra hands and garage space to get this done on mine.. labor quote for swapping out u joints and ball joints was outrageous.
 
The HF is great for u-joints and light duty car ball joints. Don't even bother with it on a Dana axle, you will just get mad.

The triple throw-down Snap-on tool is the cat's meow for solid axle stuff. BUT it is a brazillion dollars. Luckily my work has one as a shop tool. I'd have to be doing a LOT of flat rate front end work to justify the cost if i'm paying the bill.

The OTC looks like a nice choice for a quality DIY or pro tool.
 
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fuck i'll buy someone the tools if they want to help me out with some extra hands and garage space to get this done on mine.. labor quote for swapping out u joints and ball joints was outrageous.
it will save you a ton of money to do it yourself the front end shop quoted me almost 2k for BJ,TE, and and an alignment, It is a big job but its not hard
 
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it will save you a ton of money to do it yourself the front end shop quoted me almost 2k for BJ,TE, and and an alignment, It is a big job but its not hard
lack of a garage space to work in is the problem. back when i had a garage i wouldn't even be worried about it.

i can get away with doing whatever to my jeep that doesn't involve jacks and stands.. otherwise i could lose my parking spot..
 
This is what I did to mine for the price of just BJ, TE and Alignment, I also did a bunch of other stuff too
Ball Joints Dana Spicer
130​
Unit Bearing and U Joints .
180​
Ball Joint Tools .
89​
rear sway bar Extreme Terrain Outfitters Order # 14-23401835 .
204​
Axle Seals 4W Parts
27​
Brake Dust Shields .
44​
Unit Bearing Bolts .
27.81​
Paint and Sand Blasting for Diff
120​
JKS Bushings for front quick detach sway bar link .
27​
Sway Bar Bushings and Brackets .
46​
Tie Rod Ends . Rugged Ridge
180​
Caster Bolts
31​
Bump Stops front and rear
70​
Rear Axle Seals and Bearings
100​
Front and Rear disc brake Pads and Rotors and Parking Brake Shoes
330​
Misc Metric Hardware
30​
Front Diff Ring and Pinion rebuild
200​
1835.81​
 
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lack of a garage space to work in is the problem. back when i had a garage i wouldn't even be worried about it.

i can get away with doing whatever to my jeep that doesn't involve jacks and stands.. otherwise i could lose my parking spot..
you could do it in a mini storage or boat/rv stall