Harbor Freight has this press for only $100:

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-ton-shop-press-4711.html

It's only 6 tons though. Is that enough to press out old ball joints and press in new ones?

 

From previous discussions seems that 20 tons is more in line with requirements. Several comments on the difficulty pressing them out. You aren't going to use this repair and photo shoot as an excuse to buy another tool are you?

 

Sam, I agree with Test. I've had access to a 20 ton press when I've done these. Not saying anything less will not work, but you'll be closer to 20 than 6. If you start spending too much money on the press for just a one-off, you might consider just buying the whole assembly.

 

I have had no problem doing ball joints on just a 2 ton press so IMO I dont think you will have a problem

 

steve11 has the right idea. Presses have been known to be unsage too.

 

I will also say I have done them in just a vice also, but that was a big vice and you do not need to press them back in they just need a tap with a sleeve and hammer, I have a spare lower wishbone in the shop I might just show you how I did it, it is quite simple.

 

I will retract then as I've never had to do these without access to the 20 ton press I have. Maybe something a lot lighter can get the job done for you then.

 

I am hoping to use an OEM ball joint press rented from Autozone to do the job. From the boards, it seems to be sturdy enough, unlike the Harbor Freight versions.

 

I bent the rent 'C' clamp from Advance AP pushing the wishbone bushings out of a Volvo.

 

I have only done bushings on my car, and am sure I never saw my press (20ton) go over 5ton on the meter, no guarantees though it will never do.

 

I went to Harbor Freight today with a 20% off coupon in my hand. They had a 12 ton press on sale for $129. With my coupon the total price was $103 plus tax. Here's the one I got:



Hopefully 12 tons will be enough. Now I need to find someplace to hide a 12 ton floor press where my wife won't notice it.

 

He with the most toys wins!
You can use it to replace the lower control arm bushes while you're at it. This press looks very similar to one a local garage used to press in bushings.

 

Yep, that's why I bought it right now. I don't even have replacement ball joints yet. If I did I would do them at the same time.

...hey, now that I think about it, I oughta just go ahead and buy the ball joints and do them at the same time I do the lower bushings. Judging from what I've seen in the JTIS, the lower control arms are going to be a lot more difficult to remove.