Ball Joint Press recommendation

[Paul in the woods]

I need to replace a ball joint in my Ford 4x4 and I'm looking to buy one of those press / service tool sets that look like a G-clamp. I'm a bit overwhelmed by the choice, the prices vary from about £20 to well over £100 for something that looks the same. Does anyone have a recommendation for a brand or shop? Most of the names I've never heard of and  I'd like something robust considering the forces involved.

[Baldbloke]

As you say there’s plenty of choice. However, if you are merely replacing a joint rather than dissembling a joint in order to replace another part you won’t need a press type tool but the forked type of implement you hit with a hammer. This will knacker the joint and its protective rubber boot but can be picked up very cheaply.
Otherwise you will need to see how much of a gap is available, the size of the ball joint and buy a press to suit. I have various kits and possibly 8 separators in total as every ball joint and its accessibility is unique to each vehicle and you will find that one splitter does not do every joint for every car.

[Gary Prentice]

And from my experience, if you get a forked bJ splitter, get one with slim forks and a bloody big hammer.

[Paul in the woods]

I've got those tools but it's for a different type of ball joint, one on the lower arm of the suspension that you need to press the body of the ball joint out of the suspension arm.

[Gary Prentice]

I think the scissor type are better, than the g-clamp style. I usually find that there's not enough of a throat in the body to get those in place.

 

manufacturers! Laser and Sealey usually seem fit for purpose IME for occasional use tools.

[Baldbloke]

As above for price and adequacy. If it gets to the point where something feels it’s about to strip out opposing hammer strikes on the female arm can help once the scissor type splitter has been cranked up right by the spanner/socket??

[Baldbloke]

tight rather than “right”