Eds98LS

I'm on mobile so I can't link the picture but HF sells a ball joint puller that's between the fork and the ones you attach to a socket. This one's in the middle and uses a nut you tighten with a wrench.

I am thinking about buying it to try and save the rubber boot on the tie rod.

I've had HF tools not work before so I wanted to check here and see of anyone has used before or if the autozone rental isn't all that bad?

Thx, Ed

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

you could use an HF tool but if you only need it once there's nothing wrong with the Autozone rental.

Raddison

Harbor Freight 'till the day I die.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

it's called a pitman or tierod end puller. i'm guessing the HF and the autozone one is probably made in the same factory in china. i have one from autozone, just bought it after doing so many axles on my honda, and it works really well. i say rent it, if used sparingly.

btw, never EVER use the pickle fork!

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

different castings/companies but same idea and both made in china.

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

i use the autozone OEM brand pitman puller. works fine.

Shiryo

Why not just hit it with a hammer, that's what I did. I know you can possibly damage the threads, but it'll save your ball joint boot.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

using puller properly doesnt do any harm to the ball joint boot..

Eds98LS

Here's the one AZ showed me they rent

http://www.harborfreight.com/11-3-4-...ator-1740.html

And here's the one I was going to buy (then take back later ;0)

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-qua...tor-99849.html

I'm honestly not <i>too</i> worried about messing up the boot b/c odds are I'll be back soon for the upper (car is 143,000) and will probably do a lot of stuff at that point. I do miss working on my cars though!

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

autozone rents several pullers, but they arent all called the same thing.

try asking for a pitman arm or tie rod end puller.

the one LexLS used in his tutorial (but then removed when he updated with amazon links) was OEM#25297 from autozone.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

autozone tierod end puller.

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

hit it with a hammer... not the ball joint, but a solid one or two hard hits on the arm will pop it free... don't be a wuss about it... we replace ball joints on a number of vehicles daily and NEVER use a puller to loosen the ball joint from the knuckle...

bauceLS400

iTrader: (2)

I bought the same one, it works perfectly. I used the fork and it damaged the boot. It was only less than 15 bucks.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

with the cost of ucas for these cars im not taking any chances lol.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

even with these pullers, i still use a mini sledge to shock the knuckle to break the ball joint free. never EVER hit the ball joint itself or a weaker metal like the UCA!