I am looking to final buy a ball joint tool kit instead of renting. If I have the mopar ball joint adapter set should I buy a basic setup like :This or should I get the master kit like: This one ?
Thanks
Ive done 8 ball joints with it so far, and have another 4 to replace soon. Works fine for the $80 I paid for them. I hope to not do any more ball joints for a long time after I finish my replacement axle, so I went cheaper tool.
The master kit you linked would probably be helpful if you work on more than just the TJ
OTC ball joint press kit and the OTC Jeep adapters works really well and if I recall, there was an empty spot in the press kit container to store the jeep adapters.
I had the adapters for years and used them with the rental kits from the parts store, finally got the press itself on a screaming deal that was open box and returned for like half off - flawless condition.
I recommend the OTC set. AutoZone currently has it for $140. You get a handful of receiving tubes of various sizes and a few adapters. Paired with the adapter kit for the jeep/dodge. Its a strong unit and the one I have used has done many, many ball joints.
The only vehicle I've changed the ball joints on with the kit is the Jeep. I found the Jeep adapters very helpful for that process though maybe not absolutely necessary. I've done u-joints on multiple Jeeps. I haven't kept track of how many of the pieces of the kit I've used but it seems like most if not all of them. For my needs, I've had the right combination of pieces in the kits I bought.
If I recall from when I did my homework, the smaller set does not include the pieces required to press the upper control arm bushings. Accordingly, I bought the master set since ball joints are the primary, but not only, use of a kit like this
I just did mine with the HF setup I've had for years, no mopar adapter. Frozen uppers drop right in, lowers needed the tool. I just took my time and adjusted if it looked like they weren't going in "straight"