Will
Dork
8/12/12 4:21 p.m.
Grassroots is good. But sometimes, paying for quality is worth it.
I'd never used this picklefork before today, and it broke on its third ball joint.
![](http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff99/featheredmafia/Random/218.jpg)
Shop cat does not approve.
![](http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff99/featheredmafia/Random/219.jpg)
It looks rusted nearly clean through. After seeing that, I'm amazed it made it through the first two ball joints...
[waits for someone to defend Harbor Freight or rip on Snap-On]
That's a high quality piece of steel. ![](/media/img/icons/smilies/whatthe-18.png)
It almost looks like the fork was welded on poorly and then ground back to the original OD.
that thing looks like it's been through WW2. I have pickleforks that have been used for a decade and done dozens of balljoints (and various other non-intended uses like "prybar") and they don't look nearly that beat-up. And I'm sure mine are craftsman or something cheaper, since I bought them as a poor college student.
were you using it for prying or something too?
Yeah I had the same issue.
Then I bought the tie rod & ball point remover.
![](http://www.124racer.com/gallery/12/0112-Ball-Joints/slides/IMG_2763.JPG)
BTW ALWAYS leave a nut on the end of the ball joint.
That sucker hit the ceiling with some serious force.
![](http://www.124racer.com/gallery/12/0112-Ball-Joints/slides/IMG_2765.JPG)
T.J.
PowerDork
8/12/12 5:22 p.m.
I had that very same picklefork. Not sure it made it 3 uses before breaking. Not one of my HF purchases that I will defend or recommend. I still have the two pieces.
Then, I too bought the ball joint remover Andre pictured.