The Official 2nd Gen Ram OT Thread
#132
That is not a ball joint press.
This is a ball joint press. One style of ball joint presses and the most popular style from what I know.
Last edited by Wildman4x4nut; 02-08-2016 at 12:34 AM.
#133
Crescent wrenches and vice grip plyers are proper tools and are used by many top mechanics.
Not that I am saying I am a top mechanic but, I have found them to be indispensable at roadside breakdowns and other times.
Normally to get a tie rod end out of the wheel end of the tie rod assembly I give the out side of the eye a good smack with a hammer. I have a 2&1/2 pound Plumb hammer that used to be my dads that works great for this.
I also have dads 'pickle fork' ball joint separator. I rarely ever use it and dad mostly cursed it too. My dad was a master mechanic and knew what he was about when it came to automotive mechanic~ing.
I have never had a problem getting a new outer tie rod to tighten up and have rarely ever needed to press one in, the nut on them does that just fine for me.
So if I did a how to tutorial or video you will find it missing a complete list of proper tools. I'm more of a hammer mechanic that makes what I have do,...
Not that I am saying I am a top mechanic but, I have found them to be indispensable at roadside breakdowns and other times.
Normally to get a tie rod end out of the wheel end of the tie rod assembly I give the out side of the eye a good smack with a hammer. I have a 2&1/2 pound Plumb hammer that used to be my dads that works great for this.
I also have dads 'pickle fork' ball joint separator. I rarely ever use it and dad mostly cursed it too. My dad was a master mechanic and knew what he was about when it came to automotive mechanic~ing.
I have never had a problem getting a new outer tie rod to tighten up and have rarely ever needed to press one in, the nut on them does that just fine for me.
So if I did a how to tutorial or video you will find it missing a complete list of proper tools. I'm more of a hammer mechanic that makes what I have do,...
#134
#136
I have installed a lot of new ball joints and tie rod ends since I started doing this stuff as a mechanics son all those years ago.
I have never bought a new part of this kind that did not come with a new boot in the box so no, I really don't care much if the old one is in pristine shape {which they rarely are} its goin down baby,...
Dad managed to spread the ends of the pickle fork, probably before I was born, I took it with me to John 'the black'Smith's place when I was apprenticing with him.
In short time I had straightened the tool and re-tempered it. The heat treating also removed the rust so we tossed it into the vat of boiling salt to give it a nice rust free finish.
It still looks pretty decent.
I have never bought a new part of this kind that did not come with a new boot in the box so no, I really don't care much if the old one is in pristine shape {which they rarely are} its goin down baby,...
Dad managed to spread the ends of the pickle fork, probably before I was born, I took it with me to John 'the black'Smith's place when I was apprenticing with him.
In short time I had straightened the tool and re-tempered it. The heat treating also removed the rust so we tossed it into the vat of boiling salt to give it a nice rust free finish.
It still looks pretty decent.