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I have purchased 4 new MOOG balljoints. It is my undestanding they are a good brand. I also purchased a set of calipers (think measuring, not braking). It is entirely too much work to break the front end down only to hope and pray the parts im getting will work. Ill be measuring the balljoint diameter prior to the install.

I spoke with PEAK Performance and asked what it would cost for the ball joints and the labor to press them in and out. $180-$190. $25 per balljoint to press the old out and new ones in. Seems high for the labor involved/skill required. Locally I found an 8 ton hydraulic press for $60. Will an 8 ton press do the job of un-installing/installing ball joints?

thank you
paul
Dale,

How is the vintage speed exhaust? I am not wishing i had held onto it and cut holes on the fiberglass of my speedster.

Anyway, I did not realize you could rent the tool. Ill look into it. is it the 'C' lamp shape looking thing? How did it work for you? I have read some of those work best when using air tools.

Great recommendation, ill check it out.
Paul,
Exhaust still in the box - hopefully will be on my ride sometime over the winter - need to get busy.

There are different types of pullers and presses and different sizes as well. Check w/ the guys at the store and tell/show them what you are trying to do - hopefully someone at your store knows what he is doing. I think they may make you pay for the tool and just return it for a refund. I guess they used to rent them and people did not return so that is how they do it now.
Dale
Paul:

An 8-ton press (I assume it's a bench mount) should work just fine, plus you get to keep it for other projects later on (you'll be surprised how often you use it once you have one). If it's older, you might put it on it's side and check the hyd. fluid level before you start. More fluid at NAPA (called hydraulic jack fluid).

BTW: $25 per ball joint to press out/in is pretty standard, even with shops you may visit often. It's worth it if they do it right, a PITA if they don't (but you already know that.) The nice thing about a hydraulic press is that things can happen very slowly so you have all the time in the world to get it just right.

$190 for replacing 4 ball joints? I don't think so. Maybe half that if they're delivered together. Besides, handling a trailing arm is easy compared to an A-arm or worse.

I'll be doing a set next week, but I've got my choice of several private presses in the local club to play with......

gn
Lane,

I actually learned years ago. My first car was a '74 Bug. I baja'd it with my father. I wish I still had that car. Sold it to a friend for $400. Emailed him several months ago to ask what happened to it. I would have loved to buy it back from him. Was disspointed to hear the car had been rolled and trashed. The baja had an original Berg shifter... that alone was worth his purchase price. Sad to think it too may have been crushed.

My first car, and first dog in the same picture. they are both dead now, such is life.

Yes, in the end it is all worth it. What else would i do with my money? Invest it? I am sure id not be any better off over the past two years.

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