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GearWrench 3916D Universal Ball Joint Separator Expired

$16.90
$32.32
+ Free Shipping
+41 Deal Score
20,813 Views
Amazon.com has GearWrench 3916D Universal Ball Joint Separator on sale for $16.87. Shipping is free. Thanks JohnS6576

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  • The separator is adjustable to fit different size ball joints and has 1-1/8" and 2-1/8" (30 and 56 mm) maximum opening capacity. 453 reviews give this a 4.4 out of 5 star overall rating.
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Original Post

Written by
Edited December 13, 2018 at 07:04 AM by
https://www.amazon.com/d/Ball-Joi...003YVWHOE/
Very highly rated, the lowest price this year
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Deal
Score
+41
20,813 Views
$16.90
$32.32
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Featured Comments

Or just rent for free from Adv Auto Parts or AutoZone, unless you're changing ball joints every year.
I actually have one from HF, had to buy that one when GearWrench was $22+. While they look similar and Harbor Freight one worked for me, it is $16 plus tax after 20% off coupon and looks very rough compared to GearWrench and has only 90 days warranty. You have to question the quality of steel, I agree - HF has many user images of broken separator, and they do not post many negative reviews. I know, I tried...
For $16+ I would absolutely get GearWrench version. Matte black is also harder to see when inserting the fork into tight opening... silver color is so much better
I have the HF one and it worked fine on the ball joints for my 2001 Frontier, which were practically impossible to remove otherwise. It also worked well for popping the tie rods too.

The difference between a cheapie (like HF, and mayeb this Gearwrench but I cant quite tell from the pics) and a really good one is that the really good one will use an Acme thread which has more "flat" surface at the top of the thread instead of a sharp, tapered surface. This allows the thread to hold up under the forces generated by trying to pry something apart while tightening the bolt.

But thats for people that do it regularly. DIY the GW and probably the HF are just fine for occasional use.

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Joined Sep 2004
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> bubble2 214 Posts
76 Reputation
statepkt
12-12-2018 at 07:32 AM.
12-12-2018 at 07:32 AM.
Is this any better than the ones you can buy from Harbor Freight? Design wise it doesn't look any better. Maybe stronger material?
Reply
Joined Aug 2014
Fly Observer
> bubble2 895 Posts
956 Reputation
Original Poster
Banana_Fly
12-12-2018 at 07:41 AM.
12-12-2018 at 07:41 AM.
Quote from statepkt :
Is this any better than the ones you can buy from Harbor Freight? Design wise it doesn't look any better. Maybe stronger material?
I actually have one from HF, had to buy that one when GearWrench was $22+. While they look similar and Harbor Freight one worked for me, it is $16 plus tax after 20% off coupon and looks very rough compared to GearWrench and has only 90 days warranty. You have to question the quality of steel, I agree - HF has many user images of broken separator, and they do not post many negative reviews. I know, I tried...
For $16+ I would absolutely get GearWrench version. Matte black is also harder to see when inserting the fork into tight opening... silver color is so much better
Reply
Last edited by Banana_Fly December 12, 2018 at 07:47 AM.
Joined Nov 2016
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 917 Posts
159 Reputation
ChuV6998
12-12-2018 at 07:46 AM.
12-12-2018 at 07:46 AM.
Quote from statepkt :
Is this any better than the ones you can buy from Harbor Freight? Design wise it doesn't look any better. Maybe stronger material?

Gearwrench makes good products but like anything you buy always inspect for quality control upon arrival.
Reply
Joined Oct 2012
SD for profit
> bubble2 3,544 Posts
760 Reputation
SturgeonGeneral
12-12-2018 at 07:51 AM.
12-12-2018 at 07:51 AM.
Or just rent for free from Adv Auto Parts or AutoZone, unless you're changing ball joints every year.
Reply
Joined Apr 2008
L4: Apprentice
> bubble2 304 Posts
90 Reputation
colostrum
12-12-2018 at 08:00 AM.
12-12-2018 at 08:00 AM.
These work very well with tie rod ends and imagine other ball joints but for a fact it does not work on the lower ball joint (front) on civics 89-'06, not sure on those after 06 have not worked on any yet.
Reply
Joined Apr 2006
L7: Teacher
> bubble2 2,208 Posts
339 Reputation
chrisexv6
12-12-2018 at 08:08 AM.
12-12-2018 at 08:08 AM.
I have the HF one and it worked fine on the ball joints for my 2001 Frontier, which were practically impossible to remove otherwise. It also worked well for popping the tie rods too.

The difference between a cheapie (like HF, and mayeb this Gearwrench but I cant quite tell from the pics) and a really good one is that the really good one will use an Acme thread which has more "flat" surface at the top of the thread instead of a sharp, tapered surface. This allows the thread to hold up under the forces generated by trying to pry something apart while tightening the bolt.

But thats for people that do it regularly. DIY the GW and probably the HF are just fine for occasional use.
Reply
Joined Dec 2010
L3: Novice
> bubble2 228 Posts
62 Reputation
Strikercyb
12-12-2018 at 12:49 PM.
12-12-2018 at 12:49 PM.
Quote from SturgeonGeneral :
Or just rent for free from Adv Auto Parts or AutoZone, unless you're changing ball joints every year.

I don't think autopart stores rent this style. They have more of a universal fork type separator. I found it's easier to use this type than having to keep banging my hammer at the fork.
Reply

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Joined Oct 2012
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> bubble2 3,544 Posts
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SturgeonGeneral
12-12-2018 at 12:53 PM.
12-12-2018 at 12:53 PM.
Quote from Strikercyb :
I don't think autopart stores rent this style. They have more of a universal fork type separator. I found it's easier to use this type than having to keep banging my hammer at the fork.
It is this exact kit, no hammering, twists til it pops off.
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com...moval+tool
Reply
Joined Aug 2014
Fly Observer
> bubble2 895 Posts
956 Reputation
Original Poster
Banana_Fly
12-12-2018 at 01:51 PM.
12-12-2018 at 01:51 PM.
Quote from SturgeonGeneral :
It is this exact kit, no hammering, twists til it pops off.
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com...moval+tool
Advanced auto doesn't offer ball joint separator, at least not where I live. The link you have is for the removal tool - you need separator before you get to that point... I've actually rented the tool you linked to extract old then press new ball joints, but had to drive to HF to buy the separator. They have AutoCraft Ball Joint Separator https://shop.advanceautoparts.com...10449277-P which is the same as HF for $10 more...
Reply
Last edited by Banana_Fly December 12, 2018 at 01:54 PM.
Joined Mar 2010
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,077 Posts
282 Reputation
mellman99
12-12-2018 at 04:49 PM.
12-12-2018 at 04:49 PM.
How's this one with the pickle fork?
Ball Joint Removal Tool Kit & Pickle Fork Set - 2 Piece Universal Separator for Tie Rod & Pitman Arm by AFA Tooling https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0716LY...eCbAMC04KZ
Reply
Joined Feb 2016
...confuzed
> bubble2 3,386 Posts
658 Reputation
dazedxxx
12-12-2018 at 06:35 PM.
12-12-2018 at 06:35 PM.
How is this better than a Fork?.... does it not damage the boot?
Reply
Joined Jan 2011
L8: Grand Teacher
> bubble2 3,636 Posts
542 Reputation
shabazz18
12-12-2018 at 10:00 PM.
12-12-2018 at 10:00 PM.
There is zero reason to buy this unless you're a professional mechanic. Rent for free.
Reply
Joined Nov 2017
L3: Novice
> bubble2 148 Posts
38 Reputation
Nec89
12-12-2018 at 10:26 PM.
12-12-2018 at 10:26 PM.
Thanks OP. Perfect timing on this I was just shopping for one because they're great for pressing out wheel studs as well as ball joints. I was going to run to harbor freight Friday and this saves me a trip. I had a few studs break on my 350z a few weeks ago and I've had a set of ARP studs laying in my floorboard for months because I haven't had the time to change them but now that I have to its the perfect time to stop procrastinating.
Reply
Last edited by Nec89 December 12, 2018 at 10:36 PM.
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