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Ball Joint Lifter Tools: Single Stage vs. Double Stage

Photos 2-5 (from top to bottom) at site

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show what I think are called, among other things, "Two Stage Ball Joint Lifter" tools. How does the performance of these compare with the "Single Stage" tools shown at, among many other sites,
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? The single stage tool is much cheaper but I'm wondering if I'll be way happier with spending more money for the fancier tool.

This is for a 91 Civic LX, on which I am slowly rebuilding the suspension.

I've helped separate all of one ball joint in my life, in an automotive suspension class where we were told those pickle forks tend to do more harm than good. We simply used a hammer and I think the coil spring force to separate the ball joint on one American make of vehicle.

Reply to
Elle
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Just from the look of it, I wouldn't even attempt to use the $12.00 one. You will spend more time and frustration trying to get a cheap tool to work and it isn't worth it. I doubt the cheaper seperator would even work. You should be able to rent a decent one from your local tool rental place or Autozone type store.

Reply to
dewaynep

dewayne, thanks for sharing your experience.

Unfortunately, all my local Autozones loan is a pickle fork.

I'll check out some rental places, though I confess I am inclined to gamble about $20 (taking into account shipping) and try the cheap one. The honda newsgroup people say it works okay, maybe because Honda Civics are so small in general that the ball joints aren't a huge chore.

Thanks again.

"dewaynep" wrote

Reply to
Elle

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