And don't forget a good quality 3/4" impact wrench. Makes removing/installing rusted ball joints much easier :-)

 

My impact is a 1/2 drive breaker bar, and cheater pipe. I did look at that set from Harbor freight with old BJ's in hand. No way that will work without mods to the set. Not worth the $60 or $70. I bet they would fold? Although I never did use a beater to hit the axle flange/ knuckle when pressure was on.

My top came out/bottom went in pretty good. Bottom out PITA, and top in was torture. I just need the ID/OD for the top underside(maybe a dremel to clean the axle mount where the BJ press insert fits), and cut a good angle to get the bottom out on a piece of pipe? I would just like a GOOD set that might do other vehicles also. My wifes 03 Tahoe is at 106K also.

And yes I did sand out the inserts B4 installing. But I'm sure the "hammer" is for out only? Trust me hammers are my favorite tool in the world. I did use my 22OZ to get the bottom out after she "popped". I dont recommend it, but I'm accurate. I've swung hammers 22-23 OZ and 8-12 LB in a month more then people do in a lifetime. I rarely use 3-4 LBers. BUT thats why I do concrete, just cant stand to pay peeps to wrench for me =).

 

I did the ball joints on my Ram 2500 4x4 with Dana 60 front axle. The adapters in that Harbor Freight kit worked perfectly. I also used a 3/4" Ingersoll Rand impact wrench to remove and replace the ball joints using a ball joint press and it made relatively short work of the job. I picked up the well used IR 3/4" impact wrench off my local craigslist cheap. Those guns are well made and last a very long time. I have picked up good used tools over the past 30 years, as I do almost all of my car work for myself and my family. We save a lot of money over the long haul by doing the auto maintenance myself, especially given the size of my family..