Hi,

I have a 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport 5.2L with 2WD. Looks like the upper ball joints on this truck are threaded. Service manual says to use Chrysler Tool C-3561 to get them out.

Found this site:

http://www.handsontools.com/Miller-T...-_p_18008.html

Seems kinda expensive for a stupid socket. Has anyone used this tool and found cheaper substitutes? Or can you rent it?

Thanks.

 

I feel like I bought mine from a local tool shop for $40, but it has been a while.

Here is the lowest I found.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-On-Tool...#ht_500wt_1202

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-4-Drive-2-...ht_2307wt_1139

 

im not real sure if the 4x4 upper balljoint is the same as the 2x4 but this is the one i used for a '96 4x4. your best bet is also use a air or electric impact to unscrew the old ball joint. then use a torque wrench to put the new one back on. should be a torq spec in the manual. $20 http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...mString=search

 

Any suppliers of these tools in Canada? I live in Quebec and the auto parts stores here are pathetic. I went to NAPA, Canadian Tire and Car Quest, all of them scratch their head or tell me they can't get it. Half of them are closed on the weekend, when I actually have to time to go to the stores.

All of the places that have it are in the US and won't let me order to Canada. HELP!!

 

this one ships worldwide and i believe its what you need, assuming your ball joint is the same as the 4x4 model. look around and you might find it cheaper. http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-4-Drive-2-..._qi=RTM1084479

 

Since I live closeish to the upstate New York border and all of the Canadian suppliers are useless / overpriced, I am going to order off Amazon.com then get it shipped to a forwarder near the border, drive down and clear through customs myself.

Will order a ball joint separator as well. Both tools can be had for the same price as ordering a socket in Canada.

Here are the prices of the two tools in the US:



Here is the price of the socket in Canada from ebay.ca

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/3-4-Drive-2-1...item1c20952903

Notice that the socket is more expensive and the shipping is 30 dollars.

Why is everything in Canada such a rip-off?

 

i think that balljoint seperator you posted is for tie rods, pitman arms etc etc. not for control arm balljoints but maybe it could be used for that. not sure i would bother with it though. usually on the tie rod just loosen the nut alittle and tap it once with a hammer. control arm balljoints should pop loose fairly easy also unless its totally rusted on.

 

Thanks for posting the info, it really helps. I ordered the Sunex 10214 for $20.00 and a 1/2" to 3/4" inch drive adapter for $7.00 from EBay shipping included. I sprayed penetrating oil yesterday and I will try my luck next week to remove the upper BJ. There is only about 3/8" of thread in the control arm, therefore it should not be too hard.

Just like WolfStar I live close to the US border and I order all my tools and parts from the US and get them shipped to a forwarder. When all my packages arrive, I would cross the border, and collect them and pay the Canadian taxes. This is the best way to save money. I always do this for my truck, boat and RV.

"Why is everything in Canada such a rip-off?" I think that there are many reasons :

1 - Cost of doing business is higher because of higher overhead and taxes for the business owners.
2 - Less competition than in the US.
3 - Less mail order companies for automotive tools and parts.
4 - Canadian shipping is much more expensive because of less traffic than in the US.
5 - Economies of scale are much lower than in the US.

We need more US giant companies to buy our automotive service companies. I noticed that Walmart, Costco and Best Buy have very competitive prices, same as in the US.

 

I bought my ball joint socket from Snap-on for a customers truck which I want to say was around $80 but I can't remember. I didn't mind buying that one since I have a Dakota also.

Taxes, taxes, taxes. You guys need to pay for your socialized medical system some how. But have no fear, once Obama-care kicks in, we'll have to raise taxes on everything to pay for our socialized medical system too. So it won't be worth it for you guys to drive across the border to save money because there won't be any savings to be had.

A.J.

 

did this recently this is where i got mine
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=110266_0_0_

i know it is not for Chrysler/dodge but it is the correct size and worked quite well for me also plenty of penetrating oil when removing it helps don't forget to clean the socket up before putting it back in they us what is called interference threads so it get tight fast and holds hard also the darn thing can and will go cockeyed if you rush it this is a take your time and do it right job.