Sometimes it feels as if there is no better tool than the tried and true hammer. You’ll find a variety of them for sale under the heading dead blow hammers. Buy a high carbon steel head with a machine polished face and a top grade U.S. hickory handle, or if you want a polymer handled hammer, that is available as well. The latter features a hump design that prevents the tool from wedging between the rim and bead.
This hammer breaks the bead with little or no prying. Additionally, its 32-inch handle design provides longer lasting everyday use and greater strength. A special coating on the handle provides durability, says Ken-Tool.
The company’s dead blow hammer has a head that is shot filled for maximum force with no bounce effect. According to the manufacturer, this is the safest non-marring, non-sparking hammer available, good for tire changing and general shop use.
The hammer can be purchased in 1 lb. and 1.5 lb. weights in safety yellow or bright orange. If you need still more power, try the professional model with a power-drive fiberglass handle that provides 20% more driving power while reducing user fatigue. This one-pounder is especially useful for truck wheel weights.
And what is a service bay without a rubber mallet? Check Ken-Tool for a 2 lb. mallet with a head that minimizes marring the wheel surfaces.
Switching gears to front-end service tools, the company offers hand tools made from a single piece of alloy steel that is forged and heat-treated for long life. These tools are used to remove camber adjustment sleeves on Ford 4×2 and 4×4 pickups and can be used as a pitman arm wedge on medium and heavy duty trucks.
You’ll find them essential when replacing suspension parts, because the striking ends have been enlarged to provide a bigger, safer striking surface. This tool comes with a painted finish for rust resistance and can be ordered in a variety of sizes for all your needs.
Ken-Tool also offers the Pitman Arm Wedge – used to remove Pitman arms on cars and light trucks – a shock and link and tie rod separator, along with a ball joint separator. The latter is used on spindle support arms to remove ball joints without damaging other suspension parts. It is generally used on compact cars and light duty trucks.
