Lift install attempt = fail
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 228
Likes: 9
From: Marysville, WA
Got it out finally, this morning 
Turns out it was user error and crappy instructions that come with the tool.
The first try with the Harbor Freight tool, I had the wrong sized sleeve under it, which was hitting the lip of the BJ. This caused the torque to bend the C-clamp.
The second try with the rented press, the adapter was too small to let the shaft pass freely though it. This caused the torque to bend the threaded shaft.
After seeing the picture that whack&stack posted, I realized the error of my ways and put the correct sleeve, that fits completely over and around the BJ, on and it came out.
Thanks for the help and suggestions. Too late to start the lift install this weekend. Will get 'er done next weekend
Turns out it was user error and crappy instructions that come with the tool.
The first try with the Harbor Freight tool, I had the wrong sized sleeve under it, which was hitting the lip of the BJ. This caused the torque to bend the C-clamp.
The second try with the rented press, the adapter was too small to let the shaft pass freely though it. This caused the torque to bend the threaded shaft.
After seeing the picture that whack&stack posted, I realized the error of my ways and put the correct sleeve, that fits completely over and around the BJ, on and it came out.
Thanks for the help and suggestions. Too late to start the lift install this weekend. Will get 'er done next weekend
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 228
Likes: 9
From: Marysville, WA
Ha ha. Live and learn.
I still had to fab a sleeve for the top when I was pressing the new one in. Good thing I had the extra sleeve from the Harbor Freight tool. I cut off a thin slice to use, otherwise it would not seat deep enough to get the snap ring on.
I still had to fab a sleeve for the top when I was pressing the new one in. Good thing I had the extra sleeve from the Harbor Freight tool. I cut off a thin slice to use, otherwise it would not seat deep enough to get the snap ring on.
poopin.....on this thread
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 33
lol yeah we've all been there. when we first started racing we had press in ball joints in all but 1 of our upper and lower control arms and the end of the year came and i went to replace the 1 ball joint that was a screw in and well....at the time i didn't know it was screw in or that screw in ball joints even existed for these things.....well....after about 2 hours and finally saying 
it my old man walks in the door of the shop and said "here is the adapter to unscrew that ball joint that needed replaced"
i wish i would have taken a picture of the ball joint....after i was done with the press...hammer...sledge...chisel....it didnt look like much of a ball joint anymore! good thing i didnt have a saw at my disposal at the time....
it my old man walks in the door of the shop and said "here is the adapter to unscrew that ball joint that needed replaced"i wish i would have taken a picture of the ball joint....after i was done with the press...hammer...sledge...chisel....it didnt look like much of a ball joint anymore! good thing i didnt have a saw at my disposal at the time....