Tool Review: SP Tools Ball Joint Replacement Tool Set

July 5, 2013

Ease of use and one-handed operation get this Honda/Acura servicing tool top marks.

The SP Tools 68600A Air Hammer Ball Joint R&R Tool saves time by utilizing an air hammer to remove and replace ball joints. Save about an hour of labor time on many Honda/Acura models, as well as other vehicle makes. The tool has two main parts that attach to the air hammer: a remover and installer. The remover easily fits over the lower end of the ball joint to drive the old ball joint out of the steering knuckle. The installer has been designed to fit around the upper portion of the steering knuckle enabling a straight push for the new ball joint. The installer couples with one of three different sizes of installer heads that drive in the new ball joint without damaging it.

The Review

Lou Fort, Lead Technician at K.A.R.S. Inc. in Huntingburg, IN, received the SP Tools 68600A Ball Joint Replacement Tool Set to test out.

"This kit is a huge time-saver over conventional ball joint C-clamp service sets. You can easily drive out the old and install a new joint in under five minutes with this kit," he exclaims.

Lou said all he needed was an air hammer. The kit provided everything else needed. "When used on a Honda or Acura everything you need, except the air hammer, is right at your finger tips in this kit."

Fort explained the simple setup for using the tool: "Set up involved installing the joint remover into an 'air hammer,' driving out the old joint, then switching from the remover to the installer bit with the appropriate sized installation cup and driving the new joint into place."

With regard to which features Fort liked, he asked, "is 'simplicity' a feature?"

He went on to explain: "A large amount of the work I do is suspension-related, so trying to change worn out parts with out the right tool can not only be dangerous and frustrating, but costly as well.

"Having all the needed adapters right there is nice. The 'ball' end of the installer driver allows for more wiggle room during the installation. The retainers in the installation cups go a long way in making this kit as close to a one-handed operation as it may ever be."

Fort also advised that while the kit listed "Honda/Acura ball joint service," he found additional uses for the kit.

"Besides changing ball joints on Honda's I also found it worked quite well on the Ford Taurus. I did use an adapter from my Taurus ball joint adapter kit with the SP Tool's driver though," says Fort. "The removal adaptor also makes a real nice large pin driver."

Fort also commented that the packaging was simple and efficient.

"The kit comes in a well-designed, small plastic case that doesn't waste a lot of valuable real estate in one's toolbox."

Fort's only suggestion for improvement was to include more sizes of installation cups.

Overall, Fort gave the tool a top grade. "The SP Tools 68600A deserves a 10, it is a simple yet well made handy little tool kit that I expect to get years of service from."

About the Author

Erica Schueller | Editorial Director | Commercial Vehicle Group

Erica Schueller is the Editorial Director of the Endeavor Commercial Vehicle Group. The commercial vehicle group includes the following brands: American Trucker, Bulk Transporter, Fleet Maintenance, FleetOwner, Refrigerated Transporter, and Trailer/Body Builders brands.

An award-winning journalist, Schueller has reported and written about the vehicle maintenance and repair industry her entire career. She has received accolades for her reporting and editing in the commercial and automotive vehicle fields by the Truck Writers of North America (TWNA), the International Automotive Media Competition (IAMC), the Folio: Eddie & Ozzie Awards and the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) Azbee Awards.

Schueller has received recognition among her publishing industry peers as a recipient of the 2014 Folio Top Women in Media Rising Stars award, acknowledging her accomplishments of digital content management and assistance with improving the print and digital products in the Vehicle Repair Group. She was also named one Women in Trucking’s 2018 Top Women in Transportation to Watch.

She is an active member of a number of industry groups, including the American Trucking Associations' (ATA) Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC), the Auto Care Association's Young Auto Care Networking Group, GenNext, and Women in Trucking.

In December 2018, Schueller graduated at the top of her class from the Waukesha County Technical College's 10-week professional truck driving program, earning her Class A commercial driver's license (CDL).

She has worked in the vehicle repair and maintenance industry since 2008.