Why won't upper ball joint removal socket work?

-
L

Lasalle

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2022
Messages
183
Reaction score
117
Location
Indiana
1973 Dart. I got an upper ball joint removal socket OEM tools brand #24238. It seems too big and won't get a grip on the ball joint. It slips off. I measured the ball joint and it was 1 59/64". The socket is labeled 1 59/64". I measured the socket and it is almost 2". Maybe 1 63/64". Am I doing something wrong or is it that I bought the cheapest socket out there and you get what you pay for?
 
Lasalle said:
1973 Dart. I got an upper ball joint removal socket OEM tools brand #24238. It seems too big and won't get a grip on the ball joint. It slips off. I measured the ball joint and it was 1 59/64". The socket is labeled 1 59/64". I measured the socket and it is almost 2". Maybe 1 63/64". Am I doing something wrong or is it that I bought the cheapest socket out there and you get what you pay for?
Click to expand...
Wrong socket. Actually there were 3 different sizes but only 2 are made any more and the smaller one fits the 2 smaller sized ball joints.
 
Glue some pieces of flashing (thin sheet metal) to the sides of the nut (ball joint) to make the socket have a tight fit. Or place the thin sheet metal inside the socket.
 
This is a 4 sided ball joint socket. So you're saying they lied on the label sold me something that will not work for my car. In other words one size fits all but actually doesn't fit most. I suppose the solution is to buy an old Snap On brand on ebay that is actually right for my car. I will send it back to AutoZone on line. I checked and it clears the grease fitting.
 
I have had to pound mine on. Actually, usually have to.
and use a 3/4" breaker bar
with a 4ft pipe on it,
me laying down
with my feet firmly planted on the frame
and yanking for all I'm worth.
Wear a helmet.
Yes the socket should be shaped the same as the BJ.
Yes there are three sizes; one each for 72 and older Arms, 73 and newer Arms, and pick-up trucks. I can't see how anyone could mix them up.
I wouldn't use an air impact on it, in situ, on account of, if the socket blows up, it's coming for you.
 
Even the correct A body socket doesn't fit really tightly. It will work, though.

20211018_232024.jpg
 
What size is the larger one? Mine is labeled 1 59/64" and it is not that size. It is bigger. I guess they measure different in China. My socket would work if it was the size it is labeled.
 
I find using a good impact makes it much easier . Its easier to keep the socket paralel with the ball joint.
 
Here are real ball-joint sockets. They have rounded corners to fit the ball-joint. They are not used for anything other than ball-joints, ball-joints only. They are 1 3/4", 1 7/8", 2 1/8".
100_2925.JPG
They are 3/4" drive (can be reduced) to utilize the more powerful impact.
 
There are actually about 6 different sizes, as some of the later models use some different sizes. It appears yours was mislabeled.
 
Murray said:
Looks like Snap On, MAC and S&K no longer sell these.
Click to expand...
That's about par for the course. That's how they'll get us right there. Through lack of available parts and tools. Better stock up.
 
RustyRatRod said:
That's about par for the course. That's how they'll get us right there. Through lack of available parts and tools. Better stock up.
Click to expand...
It's more about discontinuing them because of low sales numbers. I was in business 28 years and probably only sold 3 or 4.
 
toolmanmike said:
It's more about discontinuing them because of low sales numbers. I was in business 28 years and probably only sold 3 or 4.
Click to expand...
Oh absolutely......regardless of the reason, the end result is the same, right?
 
1973 thru 1976 darts used ball joint socket size 17/8. There are many ball joint sockets of that size on eBay. Here is a list of Snap- On, Mac and SK tool numbers. Snap-On s9365a chrome or Snap-On s9365b black. Mac sc29 and SK 84688.
 
Last edited:
Your're better off sending it back & buying a good used MADE IN U.S.A. one. Almost all Chinese JUNK are poor fitting, especially nuts, bolts sockets etc. They are somewhere between standard & metric size. Ask me how I know. I don't care what anyone says, most Chinese stuff is bad, period!
 
Most of the time, I have cut my ball joints out with cut off wheel because I didn’t have a socket.
 
I made one years ago out of a 3/4 drive 1 3/4" Craftsman socket by grinding down 4 points of a 12-point socket, this was for an early A small ball joint.

SDC10863.JPG


SDC10864.JPG
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top