btipsword1 Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 I'm redoing basically the whole front end, first time doing ball joints. Uppers came out as they were supposed to. When I got I the passenger side lower though I came across this... Have you guys run into the same problem? I'm considering cutting a square out of my ball joint press adapter cup but I'm worried it will greatly compromise the cup's strength and may not do the job... thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 There's a cup with a cutout in it for doing that one. I posted an OTC kit a couple days ago, pretty certain it comes with the correct cup. But yes, you can just mod yours. If you're using a cheap kit with cheap (thin) cups they will distort over time, modded or not, be prepared for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big66440 Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 You can modify the cup or you can also get creative with extra pieces of scrap metal ( bearing races ) or sockets too, if you have a propane torch heat up the area right around the ball joint as well to help it release. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 I got creative with bits of scrap metal. Basically, this: He's got a part 2 and 3 about putting it back together as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 The OTC cups make ball joints almost a pleasant experience. To get that lower joint out without the fancy cup, use the press to push up on the actual ball (remove boot and scrap out grease first) with one of the flatter cup adapters. You won't have a lot of room for movement, but once the ball joint breaks loose you can use the press to push up on the bolt portion to get the ball joint the rest of the way out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btipsword1 Posted February 22, 2017 Author Share Posted February 22, 2017 Thanks 87 warrior but the uppers are no problem. The passenger lower is the issue, and it gets pressed down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Mesa XJ Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 I found even with the OTC kit it was a struggle to break the lower ball joint lose. Ended up putting a long cheater bar on the socket and breaker bar to finally get enough torque to press the ball joint out. Once it started moving it was fairly easy, one side took a number of turns with the cheater after the tremendous crack of ball joint finally breaking free. the amount of pressure to start the ball joint movie was incredible. Before using OTC kit I tried heating it with a torch and slamming it with a sledgehammer didn't do a thing towards moving it. You just need a decent receiver cup, maybe check for a socket or a section of pipe big enough using the new ball joint as a guide Honestly I don't think I could have done the job without the OTC kit (7894). The amount of pressure I think would of broken something not meant for it. But plenty of people say they didn't need the OTC tool to get the job done. Here is a link to the OTC instructions so you can see what the consider a receiver cup. http://images.myautoproducts.com/images/Product_Media/Manuals/OTC/OTC-7894_manual.pdf Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btipsword1 Posted February 22, 2017 Author Share Posted February 22, 2017 Thanks guys, I ended up getting the OTC kit for $70 or so. Hoping it does the job, I'll report back when I get to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Thanks 87 warrior but the uppers are no problem. The passenger lower is the issue, and it gets pressed downMy mistake. Sorry for the confusion, it's been a year or two since I've done Jeep ball joints and even longer since I used something other than the OTC cups. I can now recall using one of the big sleeves that came with the press as well as one of the flat adapters all sitting kind of lopsided. You will thoroughly enjoy the OTC kit. Best $70 tool I have used :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 I used a ratcheting breaker bar on my press. Much less unwieldy than a cheater pipe. Also super useful for lug nuts, and just about anything else. Almost couldn't go back to the regular kind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Mesa XJ Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Ratcheting breaker bar!? What sorcery is this? (Googles) Oh! now I got to get one! BTW on the OTC kit if you use the otc clamp make sure you have the exact size socket, it's under so much tension even a little off will spin freely. I think it was 13/16 or 21mm, 3 year old ran off with the socket when I wasn't looking. Tried the the next size then when to the hardware store for the correct one. No idea where the boy dropped it. Could be anywhere from toy box to flower bed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fire797 Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 also if you hit the part that holds the ball joint with a hammer every now and then it helps to push the ball joint out...... A little shock to the system helps....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btipsword1 Posted February 25, 2017 Author Share Posted February 25, 2017 OTC kit came in today, had it out under under 5 minutes and it was pretty rusted I'm sure you can tell from the photos. Thanks for the help guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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