What do you mean a crescent wrench isn't a proper tool? Man now I'm going to have to get rid of almost all my tools. My tool box will be empty!! I must own 15-20 crescent wrenches.



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.

 

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,...

 

Ahh, pickle forks. They're great if you don't care if the boot gets shredded in the process; otherwise, it's another case where the right tool should be used for the job.

Vice grips and crescent wrenches are great for rounded bolts and nuts.

 

A good toolbox isnt complete without a good set of Channel locks, a nice sturdy long flathead screwdriver and a BFH

 

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 like the styling of the new Fords.

 

I wonder why new pickup truck designs all look like they should have giant Hello Kitty stickers on their hoods.

 

Because it's what all the hip kids are doing these days!