im going to be doing a brake job, and front end rebuild in the next couple of days, and looking over the service manual write ups it says i need some 'special service tool or equivalent' for the ball joints. is this a generic tool i can get at a local auto parts store, or is this something im going to have to track down? and while were, is anyone aware of any decent write ups to do the job?

other than the special service tools, and likely a pickle fork, am i going to need any other special supplies or tools for the front end job?

thanks in advance.

 

if you're replacing the ball joints a pickle fork should do the job just fine as long as you've got a decent hammer. There are tools out there that allow you to get a balljoint out without damaging the boots, but if you're replacing them anyway it shouldn't matter. For the brakes a C clamp to compress the piston in the caliper should suffice.

 

Something to hang/suspend the caliper up and out of the way is a must for me. Metal coat hanger, bungee strap, whatever. Makes the other work easier with that pulled back and out of the way.

My .01 (used to be .02, we're in a recession)

 

Tools needed...
1) 12mm socket, and box wrench
2) 10mm wrench
3) 17mm wrench
4) propane torch
5) pickle fork...The ones for tie rods actually work best
6) floor jack
7) beer...and not the cheap stuff
8) B.F.H.
9) more beer
10) 14mm wrench
11) long pry bar
12) grease gun
13) more beer
14) c-clamp
Thats all I can think of...ya might need more tho.... I did both of mine in about 3-4 hours....goodluck

 

LOL....thats funny