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Ball Joint Press Recommendations

mushroomax

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These have blown up on people and some went to the hospital. I bought set when they first came out and after my return window is when injuries started reporting in. Hopefully there will be a recall.
Sounds wild, I wonder if something isn't right with their casting process
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rockitfuel

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failsafe306

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I got this one and this additional cup but you can just shim the included cup. I did not press anything on a jl with it yet, but I did press a bunch of stuff on jk including ball joints, U-joint, bushings and even stock bolt in bushings.... ya that one did not end well for the bracket.
I got the same tool with extra Jeep / Dodge specific cups. Neither of them has the correct size to install the ball joints with out the cup slipping around and bending the flange of the BJ. Spent over $300 on this and can’t get a fucking one installed.
 

Odyssey USA

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I got the same tool with extra Jeep / Dodge specific cups. Neither of them has the correct size to install the ball joints with out the cup slipping around and bending the flange of the BJ. Spent over $300 on this and can’t get a fucking one installed.
What ball joints? I don’t know if it’s the exact one but I am waiting to install some Baller ball joints and got a new Autozone ball joint press and a OTC adapter a bigger YouTuber used on his JL. Wasn’t Baller joints though.
 

Pape

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I got the same tool with extra Jeep / Dodge specific cups. Neither of them has the correct size to install the ball joints with out the cup slipping around and bending the flange of the BJ. Spent over $300 on this and can’t get a fucking one installed.
Shim the original cup to get the proper angle. I used the jeep / Dodge cup once and still required a shim to get the proper angle, it was close but no dice.
300 is the press and extra cup or just the cop ?
 

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johneracer

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I used autozone crap loaner kit to remove and install metalcloak baller joints in with no issues. This is very straight forward.
 

johneracer

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johneracer

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What ball joints? I don’t know if it’s the exact one but I am waiting to install some Baller ball joints and got a new Autozone ball joint press and a OTC adapter a bigger YouTuber used on his JL. Wasn’t Baller joints though.
Its very easy to press metal cloak ballers in. Freeze them. Also pay attention to correct sitting depth. I ended up removing one side since I realized it wasn't seated all the way. You really need to crank them down to ensure they are seated all the way. I used autozone loan kit that probably did 100s of joints and was beat to hell. It worked, nevertheless. Follow instructions closely. Make sure they are fully tight as you install them. I tightened them as much as possible. This will ensure that the knuckle is installed correctly and upper balljoint sits where it needs to with the conical washer. Once everything is assembled, loosen up and set to proper preload. Just snug. I then drove the car and rechecked the preload and could snug them up a bit more as they work in. I checked them few days later and they were tight. If you have any questions, feel free to message. I just did them month ago or so.
 

Odyssey USA

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Its very easy to press metal cloak ballers in. Freeze them. Also pay attention to correct sitting depth. I ended up removing one side since I realized it wasn't seated all the way. You really need to crank them down to ensure they are seated all the way. I used autozone loan kit that probably did 100s of joints and was beat to hell. It worked, nevertheless. Follow instructions closely. Make sure they are fully tight as you install them. I tightened them as much as possible. This will ensure that the knuckle is installed correctly and upper balljoint sits where it needs to with the conical washer. Once everything is assembled, loosen up and set to proper preload. Just snug. I then drove the car and rechecked the preload and could snug them up a bit more as they work in. I checked them few days later and they were tight. If you have any questions, feel free to message. I just did them month ago or so.
Will do!
 

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failsafe306

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What ball joints? I don’t know if it’s the exact one but I am waiting to install some Baller ball joints and got a new Autozone ball joint press and a OTC adapter a bigger YouTuber used on his JL. Wasn’t Baller joints though.
The ones from RPM, same dimensions as stock.
 

failsafe306

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Shim the original cup to get the proper angle. I used the jeep / Dodge cup once and still required a shim to get the proper angle, it was close but no dice.
300 is the press and extra cup or just the cop ?
It’s not an angle thing, it’s the cup that presses the ball joint in is too big to fit firmly on the flange of the ball joint. I ended up going to Harbor Freight and buying the Maddox kit that has. 2” ID cup which fits perfectly.
 

Pape

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It’s not an angle thing, it’s the cup that presses the ball joint in is too big to fit firmly on the flange of the ball joint. I ended up going to Harbor Freight and buying the Maddox kit that has. 2” ID cup which fits perfectly.
Ok, what brand and model are you pressing?
 

roaniecowpony

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It’s not an angle thing, it’s the cup that presses the ball joint in is too big to fit firmly on the flange of the ball joint. I ended up going to Harbor Freight and buying the Maddox kit that has. 2” ID cup which fits perfectly.
Might be worth asking Metalcloak if they have a favorite brand/model press.
 

Odyssey USA

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Might be worth asking Metalcloak if they have a favorite brand/model press.
I’m thinking I did. It’s was up there. 700? Been a minute. That’s past my budget but I get why they have that professional tool given how often they use it.
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