I bought Rodney's ball joints and tie rod ends and I'm trying to make the job easier by getting Genuine GM Tools listed in the '88 factory manual.......

I've read many PFF threads on lower ball joints; 'Raydar' commented in 2013:

quote This was actually one of the more pain-in-the-azz things I've ever done with a Fiero. I bought the cheap ball joint press tool from Harbor Freight and still didn't have all that I needed. Ended up sawing one of the sleeves in half.

Obviously, one huge issue when removing/installing lower ball joints is the proper adapters for the underside of the control arm.

SO, I purchased the correct Kent Moore Adapters as listed in the manual:
J-37161-1 and J-37161-3 to Remove
J-37161-2 and J-37161-4 to Install

Check Off 'proper adapters' and I also bought J-26407 to separate the ball joints to the knuckle.

My Questions

The Kent Moore J-9519-10 Clamp is 'unavailable' which holds these adapters to press the lower ball joints.

When looking photos of J-9519-10 Clamp and J-9519-23; they seem to be the same or very similar.

I thought someone might know the difference between these clamps.

OR someone has the J-9519-23 clamp and will measure the I.D. of the welded ‘pipe’ on the clamp which holds the adapters? Perhaps J-9519-23 clamp will work.....

OR maybe I can weld this particular 'pipe' on a Kent Moore J-9519-8 (last link)

I wanted to hear from the forum before moving forward!

Photo of Kent Moore J-9519-10 Clamp
https://www.bing.com/images...s%3A%2F%2Fth.bing.co

Photo of Kent Moore J-9519-23 Clamp
https://www.bing.com/images...A%2F%2Fi.ebayimg.com

Photo of Kent Moore J-9519-8
https://www.bing.com/images...ttps%3a%2f%2fth.bing

------------------
Original Owner of a '88 GT and under 'Production Refurbishment'

I made my own ball joint separator tool, it works very well.

We have a ball joint installation kit that has numerous different diameter and depth attachments that covers the removal and installation.

Wow, you're spending a lot of money just to remove ball joints. Any reason you didn't just get a universal kit for around $100 that has tons of adapters for other cars too?

Something like this for sure have what one needs to do a simple Fiero Balljoint replacement. These style of kits have way more use than balljoints, Bushing replacement, bearings in certain applications, I even use mine ( OTC Brand but about the same thing) to push pistons back in certain calipers, I've even used mine to force stuck bolts out of bushing sleeves.

[url=https://www.amazon.ca/OKSTENCK-Ball-Joint-U-Joint-Removal-Separator/dp/B0B1HNJPL3/ref=asc_df_B0B1HNJPL3/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=580738464129&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17937372728116170015&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocin t=&hvlocphy=9000044&hvtargid=pla-1877845152365&psc=1]Balljoint press[/url]

quote Originally posted by IMSA GT Wow, you're spending a lot of money just to remove ball joints. Any reason you didn't just get a universal kit for around $100 that has tons of adapters for other cars too?

My tool cost is $100 without the lower ball joint clamp/press....and I'm talking about leaving the lower control arm on the vehicle.

Years ago, I would agree easily about a 'universal kit' but I read a lot comments on these 'kits' like 'Raydar' comment or:

quote Originally posted by css9450 I had trouble finding a ball-joint press with the correct-size adapters / nothing was exactly right...

Unfortunately, I'm now 'disabled' with only one 'good' hand so with my situation, I believe "the right tools for the job" will be 'easier'.

I appreciate and will review all responses including kits/clamps to press the lower ball joints out and in.
VN

Edit: I'll add some photos of the Kent Moore 'proper' adapters......

[This message has been edited by Vintage-Nut (edited 09-15-2023).]

There's nothing easier to use to remove Fiero ball joints than the type of tool that Dickman sells. They're also very easy to make.

Thanks Patrick and this tool shown is to separate the ball joints from the knuckle which I have.

I'm talking the clamp/press tool with the special adapters (which I got) to remove/install ball joints from the lower control arm like your thread called....

How far are front lower ball joints supposed to be pressed in? by Patrick
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/130054.html

[This message has been edited by Vintage-Nut (edited 09-15-2023).]

quote Originally posted by Vintage-Nut: I'm talking the clamp/press tool with the special adapters (which I got) to remove/install ball joints from the lower control arm...

So, just to be clear... you've been able to remove the lower ball joint, but you're having trouble installing it?

Anything/everything I know about installing ball joints (which isn't much) is mentioned in that thread of mine you referenced. Unfortunately, the photo of the tool set I used for installation is among the thousands of now missing forum images.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 09-15-2023).]

quote Originally posted by Patrick So, just to be clear... you've been able to remove the lower ball joint, but you're having trouble installing it?

No, I'm merely preparing the job by getting the right tools and Rodney's ball joints/tie rod ends.

Your thread was about trouble installing the lower ball joint into the lower control arm.

"This" tool which we're talking about will press out the old lower ball joint from the lower control arm, and then press in the new ball joint while the arm is still on the car.

Edit: I only need "this" clamp/press as I have the special ball joint adapters which mate with the lower control arm; the tool to separate the ball joints from the knuckle and a tie rod end separator tool.

[This message has been edited by Vintage-Nut (edited 09-15-2023).]

quote Originally posted by Vintage-Nut: "This" tool which we're talking about will press out the old lower ball joint from the lower control arm, and then press in the new ball joint while the arm is still on the car.

Okay, I see where my confusion is. Sorry, it's been ten years since I did my Formula's suspension. Popping the ball joint out of the knuckle is obviously not the same as removing the ball joint from the LCA. I can't remember how we got the ball joint out of the LCA. I only remember that it was an issue (at first) to get the new ones installed, but then it all worked out.