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Even though ball joints have a lifespan of 70,000 miles or more, they don’t last forever. The real lifespan of ball joints heavily depends on your driving behavior and road conditions.
If you suspect that your joints are loose and want to repair or replace them, you will need a ball joint separator tool.
But before we look at the best ball joint separator tools, how do you tell that your ball joint is loose and needs to be repaired or replaced?
One of the most common signs is your wheel pulling slightly to the far right or left end. Also, you may hear some clunking noises, which comes from the car’s suspension.
With so many ball joint separator tools on the market, you must choose the right toolset for your vehicle.
A good ball joint separator should be robust, rust-resistant, safe, and simple to use. You will have to choose between the pickle and scissor-style ball joint separator.
Without wasting any time! Here are the best 6 ball joint separator tools on the market:
Table showing the 6 best ball joint separator tools
| Product | Number of tools | |
| Orion Motor Tech 5-in-1 Ball Joint Separator Tool Kit | 5 | Check Price |
| Powerbuilt 648626 | 6 | Check Price |
| Biltek 6pc Front End Service Tool Kit Ball Joint Separator | 6 | Check Price |
| OEM Tools 27181Front End Service Kit | 5 | Check Price |
| GearWrench Front End Service Set – 41690 | 5 | Check Price |
| OTC 6295 Front End Service Tool Set | 5 | Check Price |
Orion Motor Tech 5-in-1 Ball Joint Separator Removal Tool Kit
What We Liked Most About This Product
This 5-in-1 ball joint separator removal tool kit is a wonderful toolset for separating your car’s ball joints.
Orion Motor Tech is a reliable brand and offers some of the most affordable tools.
What I liked most about the Orion Motor Tech 5-in-1 ball joint separator is the ease of use and handling.
Product Overview
The Orion Motor Tech 5-in-1 ball joint separator is well-made for its job. However, it is more suited for compact cars, mid-size cars, and light pickup trucks. Therefore, if you want to work on full-size cars or full-size pickup trucks, this is not the toolset for you.
The toolset features a ball joint separator, conical pitman arm puller, tie rod and ball joint remover, pitman arm puller, pitman arm and tie rod end puller.
All of these tools come in a durable ABS carrying case. This makes carrying the tools from one worksite to another simple and safe.
Unlike most ball joint separator tools, the Orion Motor Tech 5-in-1 ball joint separator tool works with domestic and imported vehicles.
Regardless, you should get in touch with the manufacturer and find out if the tool is compatible with your car make, model, and year.
You will also like that the tools are made of heat-treated alloy steel, which is durable and long-lasting.
Overall, this is an ideal ball joint separator if you deal with small and light vehicles. The sturdy carrying case makes carrying the tools convenient, and it is easy to clean.
With 5 different tools, you will be able to separate ball joints and perform other car repair works on your suspension and steering system.
Pros:
- Straightforward to use
- Durable construction for longevity
- Sturdy carrying case for safe storage and transportation
- Easy to handle
- Features 5 pieces for performing a wider range of tasks
Cons:
- It is only suitable for small vehicles
Powerbuilt 648626 6 Pc Front End Service Set Kit 3
What We Liked Most About This Product
Powerbuilt 648626 6-piece front end service set kit 3 is another top ball joint separator toolset. Unlike the previous set, this one comes with 6 tools. This means that you can do even more versatile repairs with this set.
These help you to remove both the upper and lower ball joints without any problem. Besides, the tool is very reliable despite its slightly higher price. Also, the manufacturer offers a decent warranty.
Product Overview
A complete repair kit helps you to disassemble all the tire or suspension systems and see where the problem is. That’s what you get when you purchase the Powerbuilt 648626 6 pieces front-end service set kit.
The pieces that are included in this package apart from the ball joint separator are the pitman arm puller, tie rod end lifter, tie rod end pullers, and ball joint remover.
Unlike the previous tool, this one is more durable and can serve a wider range of vehicles.
If you’ve been struggling to keep your vehicle suspension tools, you’ve got nothing to worry about. This toolset comes with a well-built carrying case for easy storage and transfer of the tools from one place to another.
Additionally, an instruction sheet with images is included in the carrying case for ease of use. As a result, it is a perfect tool for both novices and professional mechanics.
All-in-all, this ball joint separator tool is excellent in performance and can be utilized on different vehicle makes and models.
Follow the instruction sheets with photos to separate ball joints and conduct other repairs.
Pros:
- Robust construction
- Simple to use
- Sturdy carrying case for safe transportation of tools
- 6 tools for versatile use
- Instruction sheet for ease of use
- Manufacturers’ limited warranty
Cons:
- Check for compatibility problems as it doesn’t fit on some vehicle makes and models
Biltek 6Pc Front End Service Tool Kit Ball Joint Separator Pitman Arm Tie Rod Puller
What We Liked Most About This Product
The Biltek 6 pieces Front End Service tool kit ball joint separator is a suitable tool for use on a wide variety of vehicles. It boasts of 6 different tools that make it versatile.
The 6 pieces include a ball joint separator, pitman arm and tie rod end puller, pitman arm puller, tie rod and inner bearing race puller, and tie rod end remover.
What stands out most about this separator tool kit is that it covers all types of vehicles. This is because it is a universal front-end service tool kit.
Product Overview
Made of robust alloy steel, this ball joint separator tool can be utilized on a broad range of car makes and models. Apart from separating ball joints, you can also use this toolset to take out standard pitman arms and tie rods of different vehicles.
Additionally, it is straightforward to use and doesn’t require a lot of mechanical knowledge. The tool is also safe, which is vital to DIY.
However, it lacks instructions, which might be quite challenging for individuals that have never used a joint separator before.
Another challenge about using this tool kit is that it comes with a short-lived warranty.
Overall, this is a fantastic tool that will cover a broader range of vehicles on the market.
Pros:
- Durable steel construction
- Easy to use and handle
- Versatile as it features 6 different tools
- Convenient and safe to use
- Durable carrying case for secure
- It is a universal kit. Thus, it works with a wider range of vehicles
Cons:
- It lacks instructions, which can be quite challenging for novices and DIY enthusiasts
- The warranty is very short – just 30 days
- Not very durable as it breaks easily
OEMTOOLS 27181 Front End Service Kit
What We Liked Most About This Product
Have you realized that your front tire is moving from side-to-side? Are you looking for a ball joint separator toolset to help you correct the issue?
The OEMTOOLs 27181 front end service kit ensures that you not only separate the ball joints but as well as other suspension parts without a problem.
Separating the ball joints in some vehicles can be a huge challenge, and that’s why you need a complete kit to remove both the upper and lower ball joints without a problem. With this tool, you will be able to change it easily and quickly.
The best thing about this toolset is that it features insulated vinyl handles that make handling the ball joint separator tools simple and stable.
Product Overview
If you deal with light trucks and small vehicles, this toolset will be ideal for you. This is because it is built to access compact spaces but not large bolts or vehicles.
These tools are also only durable enough to handle small vehicles, but they may have tension when used on large trucks or cars.
The full-service kit features a ball joint separator, ball joint and tie rod end remover, pitman arm puller, pitman arm and tie rod end puller, and a lovely carry pack.
The sturdy carry pack ensures that the tools are safe and secure. Additionally, you can move them with much ease to the garage or scene of repair.
You should also ensure compatibility with your vehicle make, model, and the year before purchasing. Overall, this is a dependable and straightforward use of a ball joints separator tool with a limited lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.
Pros:
- A durable molded case for safe storage and transportation
- Sturdy construction for longevity
- Versatile as it features 5 different tools
- Simple to use and operate
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Not suitable for large vehicles
- It doesn’t come with instructions, which might be a challenge for some people
GearWrench Front End Service Set – 41690
What We Liked Most About This Product
The GearWrench is the perfect set if you want to separate ball joints on large cars or trucks.
Similar to most of the toolsets that we’ve looked at, this set comes with 5 tools that help you to separate the ball joints for repair successfully.
The most outstanding feature about this ball joint separator tool is handling large trucks and cars because of its robust construction.
Product Overview
The GearWrench front end service set ball joint separator tool is made of solid steel. It is ideal for professional mechanics who deal with all types of vehicles.
Apart from getting a quality and durable ball joint separator tool, you will also receive a pitman arm puller, tie rod end puller, and a heavy-duty carrying case.
The ergonomically designed case helps you to organize your tools well and access them with a lot of ease.
Besides, the toolset comes with a universal ball joint separator and a universal tie rod end remover. These allow you to perform ball joint separation and remove tie rod end on various car makes and models.
Generally, the GearWrench ball joint separator service tool kit is well-made to handle large vehicles. It is durable and simple to use. However, it is quite heavy when compared to competitor tools.
Pros:
- Robust alloy steel construction
- Versatile use with 5 tools
- Suitable for large trucks and cars
- Easy to use
- Sturdy case for safe storage of tools
- Precise threads make your work simple
- Standard limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
- It is quite heavy
OTC 6295 Front End Service Set for Pitman Arms, Ball Joints, and Tie Rods
What We Liked Most About This Product
If you want a ball joint separator that you can use on small and large vehicles, this is an ideal tool for you.
What we liked most about the OTC 6295 front end service set is the broad range of tools that it offers.
The toolset has two pitman arm pullers for small and large ball joint applications, two ball joint separators for small and large vehicles, and three different tie rod pullers. In short, it is a versatile tool kit.
Product Overview
The OTC is one of the most popular ball joint separator tool brands on the market. This particular toolset is ruggedly constructed for longevity.
It has five pieces, which allow the user to make different car repairs. As stated above, some pieces come in two different sizes for working on both small and large vehicles.
You won’t have trouble utilizing this toolset as it is simple and straightforward. What’s more, all the tools come in a durable case for ease of storage and transportation to your work area.
The greatest benefit of this sleek carrying case is that it keeps the tools well-organized for easy retrieval.
With this toolset, you will be able to separate ball joints or remove tie rod ends on your Ford, Chevy, or Dodge car without any problem.
However, it is not very durable, and thus you should not apply excess pressure. Also, it is slightly expensive than the other ball joint separator tools on this list.
But when it comes to performance and ease of use, you will love this ball joint separator. It can be utilized by DIY enthusiasts, car repair shops, or even start-up mechanics.
Pros:
- Versatile toolset
- Sturdy blow molded storage case for proper storage of all the tools
- Easy to use and handle
- Compatible with a variety of vehicles
Cons:
- Not very durable
- It is not compatible with all vehicle makes and models
- It is slightly expensive
FAQ
Can I use any ball joint separator tool on my car?
No, you can’t. Before you select a ball joint separator for your vehicle, you need to find out if it’s compatible with your car make, model, and year.
Some tools work with only specific car makes and models, while others are universal. Also, you will have to choose between a pickle fork and scissor-type ball joint separators.
Which ball joint separator should I use – pickle fork or scissor-style ball joint separator?
Both of these ball joint separators are exceptional in performance. However, you should know the weaknesses and strengths of the pickle fork and scissor-style ball joint separators before choosing.
The pickle fork ball joint separator is the traditional model, and it features a long, heavy-duty fork that you drive into a ball joint using a hammer. But this ball joint separator is not always effective as accessing the ball joint can be a problem.
Additionally, the pickle fork ball joint separator can damage the ball joints if not utilized well. As a result, if you intend to reuse the ball joints, you should consider using the scissor-style ball joint separator.
The Scissor style ball joint separator is compactly designed and simple to access the ball joints concealed by other suspension parts or are tucked up inside upper control arms. The best part about this separator is that it is straightforward and safe to use. This is because you don’t have to use a hammer to separate the ball joint.
What are the common signs of a failed ball joint?
A ball joint is a vital part of the suspension and steering system. But after some time, it may become worn-out because of one reason or another.
Some of the common signs of a worn-out ball joint are a creaking sound, irregular tire wire, steering wandering from left to right, and excessive vibration from the car’s front.
If you notice one of these signs, then you need to check your ball joint.
What causes the clunking sound from the suspension?
When ball joints wear out, they become loose in the socket and make short consecutive sounds (clunking) and knock as the suspension moves up and down over the road.
The sound becomes louder when your car goes over a bump, rough road, or turning around the corner. As the wear continues, the clunking sound will become louder and more persistent.
Conclusion
After reading our detailed review of the best ball joint separator tools, you can now go ahead and choose a tool that is compatible with your vehicle and has the features that you desire.
An excellent ball joint separator tool should work with your car make, model, and year. If you want a comfortable and safe tool, you’re better off using the scissor-style ball joint separator tool rather than the pickle fork tool.
Also, consider the other tools featured in every package if you want to make additional repairs.
Overall, the tools that we selected are durable, rust-resistant, and come with a durable casing for proper storage. They are also straightforward to use and from reliable brands. Whatever ball joint separator tool that you select, you can relax knowing that you’re investing in a quality and reliable tool!
Patrick started his love affair with cars in his childhood. Over the years, he claims a sturdy hold on his driving skills, along with a thorough understanding of cars. We can expect some interesting, holistic, and pleasurable blogs with his flair for writing and his love for cars.
Being a car enthusiast, Patrick has experience comprising of two decades in which he has ridden some of the meanest and strongest machines in the automotive industry. His previous avatars include an automotive professional, photographer, and journalist, and you will certainly experience the roundness of experience in his piece on this site.
In his second decade of reviewing cars and analyzing tools, Patrick is all set to give you convincing, reliable, and the latest information regarding what’s happening in the automotive industry. Currently, he owns a BMW Z3 but cannot get his eyes off Aston Martin DB5. He is a car enthusiast; he loves cooking and listening to music, especially jazz. Here are some of the pieces written by our ace author.
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