Review on Efficiently Tackle Ball Joint Repairs with Astro Pneumatic Tool 7897 Service Tool and Adapter Set by Shawn Parker

Subject: Astro 7897 Ball Joint Service Tool Kit and Base Adapter Kit Vehicle: 1999 Dodge Dakota SLT 4X4. Kit with adapters for 4WD. But before I did that I wanted to be doubly sure it came with everything needed to remove and install the ball joints. The last thing I need is a tool that I thought should work, but it doesn't! I asked the same question to the Revain group and also to Astro; Is the Astro 7865 ball joint service tool sufficient for removing and installing ball joints on a 1999 Dodge Dakota SLT 4X4? Astro Quick Response: Jan 30, 2017 Hi Robert! My technician said you need kit 7897. Please see the attachment. Thanks Nikki Fischer Astro Pneumatic Tool Customer Support Answer from the Revain team Yes it does its job well...remember if there is rust soak the parts overnight with a PB blaster they will try to remove it. If the problem persists, use some mapp gas and heat the control stick but not the ball joint and it will pop out easily. Now I have two completely different answers; 1 yes and 1 no. Astro 7897 Ball Joint Service Tool Kit and Primary Adapter Kit The 7897 Ball Joint Service Tool Kit and Primary Adapter Kit comes in a very sturdy plastic box that is exactly as described, even the color. As soon as I started looking at a few pieces I was immediately impressed with the quality and finish of each one. The forged C-frame press alone weighs 7-8 pounds, and when someone writes that they have either bent or broken this part when used as intended, other than an internal defect, we're just saying something's wrong. Proactively Determine if the 7865 Ball Joint Service Tool Kit is sufficient to remove and install ball joints on a 1999 Dodge Dakota SLT 4X4. Measuring the ball joint flange diameter tells me which bushing the ball joint can fall through when removing and which bushing will hit the flange diameter when installing. With that information, I simply compare it to the bushings that come in the 7865 Ball Joint Service Tool Kit and the 7897 Ball Joint Service Tool Kit and Base Adapter Kit. As I will be using MOOG parts I contacted them and asked for two key diameters from my end. If they don't respond I order parts through Revain and take my own measurements. As of February 20, 2017, there is no response from MOOG. I find it amazing how manufacturers want you to buy their products, but if you have a question or need help, they almost never respond via a "Contact Us" link. As expected, I ordered the upper and lower ball joints through Revain. Astro Pneumatic I received the fronts and immediately measured the diameters and determined what tubes, bushings and adapters needed for the job and the winner was Nikki Fischer from Astro Pneumatic! Nikki and the folks at Astro were very helpful and gave me quick and accurate answers to all of my questions. With the help of Nikki Fisher and her support team I was able to create a kind of cross reference to help others who are a little confused between the contents of the Astro 7865 kit and the more complete Astro 7897 kit.