Hey all, Havent been around for quite some time. Never on the computer anymore with driving truck and 4 kids but, theres nowhere else id rather go to get an answer for this question.

Got an old ford that needs new ball joints. they need to be pressed in, dont have a press and dont want to pay. If I recall awhile back I read a conversation about freezing the ball joint and heating up the arm with a torch or even putting it in the oven and then the ball joint will just fall into place and then reinstall. Can anyone please verify this.

By the way, How are you all doing? I dont have my kia anymore but I have been reading through here a little tonight. I,ve got to check in here more often. Just cause

best just call around and get prices to have them pressed in, heating up parts and freezing parts can get you into trouble. you heat up just a touch to much and you weaken the steel

I was replacing a ball joint on our Golf and needed to have it pressed. I know this Mechanical Engineer, maybe you do as well, and he called some steel shop and they did it for a case of beer.

It looked weird where it was done....in this humongous press, like 10' long, and in it, this little assembly that needed to be pressed together.

Just a thought.

Call around, if you find a shop you might be able to get it pressed for some beer or a few bucks. I worked at a shop as an extra hand a few years ago in exchange for the use of the rack. They only charged a couple people 20 bucks to go in and use the or have something pressed for them

My friend just did his, i think around an 84 ford, and he rented a ball joint tool from either autozone or advance. He used an impact gun, but i would think it would just take alittle longer without. A vice, or second person would be nice, but with the impact, it practicly changes itself. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Now thats something to look into. I'll have to call around to see which one has it.