Customer Reviews

OTC 6297 Ball Joint Separator

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This tool is great. No more using a fork and air hammer to separate ball joints anymore which destroys the boot. Very easy to use, and it is adjustable so it can be used on different cars, trucks, ball joints, and tie rods. Should have bought years ago, highly recommend.

Used the ball joint separator on a 1989 Honda CRX si and it made the job very easy. A great tool to have on hend for other jobs as well.

I purchased this product after I damaged another similar looking ball joint separator that I purchased for half the price. This version was visibly of better build quality. Other cheaper versions don't have a bearing at the end of the bolt, which helps it "walk" along the arm as it is spreading.

Used this tool to separate a 1991 Honda CRX upper control arm and steering outer tie rod ball joints. Make sure you place the tool as far forward under the ball joint boot as can fit so you don't tear the ball joint boot when you separate it. I ended up tearing a steering outer tie rod boot by not placing the tool far under the boot. If you tear a boot, don't worry because they aren't expensive and difficult to replace.

Had equivalent tool from US General in which on its very first use, fresh out from the box, broke its jaw while in the process of removing my lower control arm ball joint. Surprisingly..ball joint remained as originally forced fitted in!
This tool from OTC did what was promised..ball joint extracted cleanly in a matter of minutes. Superior material!

Very beefy material, would stand up to a lot of pressure. This tool worked where others wouldn't. Specifically, a Mitsubishi DSM vehicle. Worth every penny.

Tool paid for itself. It reaches in tight spaces and easily pops out the ball joint. The quality is heavy-duty and built to last. I'd highly recommend this.

Own a 98 Jeep grand cherokee. Had to drop the steering damper ball joint to get the oil pan to drop down. Old ball joint separators couldn't get it loose for 2 hours, then flew apart with force. I checked this out and decided to upgrade my tools with this based on reviews and the tool video I saw. Well, this had my ball joint apart without too much effort in less than 5 minutes! I had tightened the tapered fit castle nut very tight too. Lubed the ball roller and threads to keep friction at a minimum. Heavy tool too, no flexing or giving on this tool. Great value from Amazon.
robertdan
OTC 6297 Ball Joint Separator

I've been disassembling some suspension parts that have been "intimate" for 45 years. No amount of pickle fork wedgie, heat wrench, and sledge hammer would do the trick. This does. Almost effortlessly. Just warn the neighbors because when that joint comes apart, it sounds like a high power rifle shot.

I have a 1999 Eclipse Spyder which needed a new front end. I started by trying to remove the ball joint on the curved lower control arm with a pickle fork to no avail. The manual suggested a tool like this one so I looked it up on Amazon and found this tool. I read the reviews and ordered it. When it came, I put it on the ball joint and after a few turns with a ratchet, 'SNAP!', the stud released. I went on to remove the remaining ball joints on both sides of the car without any problem. The tool slides in between the ball joint and the stud. Turn the bolt by hand until snug and put a ratchet on it. Without any great amount of force, the stud snaps out. My Eclipse has 320K miles on it and the studs were in there tight, but this tool had no problem whatsoever.
This version has a ball bearing at the end of the bolt instead of the hardened point as mentioned in one of the other reviews, which is an improvement. I oiled the ball, screw, and pivot pin before I started, to provide some cushion for the parts.
Great tool, better than a pickle fork any day. Highly recommended.