Sunex 5720 20 Ton Press Review

[EricTheCarGuy]

I got this press mainly to do the T-5 manual transmission rebuild, but it’s become a great addition to the shop and I’ve used it on many other jobs as well. It was also made in the USA which is something I don’t get to say often when I do tool reviews.

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[Nicholas Clark]

Like you said, it’s a really nice press. I would get a Harbor Freight one simply because I would not use it nearly as much as you use yours. If I was a mechanic like you, I would spring for sterner stuff. But I think you covered it in a tool review (the vs. one) — if you’re just a DIY’er and you only use the tools every once in a while, you’re probably okay. That being said, some of the things HB sells are garbage. Shame it couldn’t pop those bearings loose. If you had a 50 ton press you would have been able to get it out, I bet. Still boggles my mind 20 tons was not enough. Anyway, nice review!

[EricTheCarGuy]

[quote=”Hockeyclark” post=156559]Like you said, it’s a really nice press. I would get a Harbor Freight one simply because I would not use it nearly as much as you use yours. If I was a mechanic like you, I would spring for sterner stuff. But I think you covered it in a tool review (the vs. one) — if you’re just a DIY’er and you only use the tools every once in a while, you’re probably okay. That being said, some of the things HB sells are garbage. Shame it couldn’t pop those bearings loose. If you had a 50 ton press you would have been able to get it out, I bet. Still boggles my mind 20 tons was not enough. Anyway, nice review![/quote]

I’d say that’s a very good call. So many of us get caught up in the perceived value of tools. You have to consider use just like you pointed out.

Honestly, I don’t think a 50 ton would have done it either. That bearing did not want to leave.

[Christopher]

The HF press is known for leaks in the hydraulic jack. Not a huge deal if you don’t use it often. Also it isn’t “guided” as precisely as the Sunex press. Again, not a big deal for pressing out lower control arm bushings as I did, but other jobs you want to make sure it’s pressing down at a perfect angle with the base. The HF jack pretty much paid for itself though in the first job I used it for. Local shop wanted $25 per bushing, and I had to do 6 of them. Haven’t had a real use for it since that job though.

[Author]

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