I took the steering knuckle (cleaned up) and ball joints to the local indy. He gave them back to me cleaner still with the ball joints installed and painted on the underside. He said that the ball joint press was Mercedes and cost several hundred dollars when these cars were new.

The aftermarket spring compressors work and you should heed the advice to lube the screw. Simple threaded rod with washer & a large socket will press the lower control arm bushings in. Use fine thread of the largest size that will fit the socket. The socket pushes on the rim of the bushing as required. Pushing on the rim only will distort the rim but using wood or washers in the socket to shim enough to support the center of the bushing makes the process relatively easy.

I had to use 1 each new bolt that holds the upper control arm and camber adjusting bolt when doing my SD.

There are 2 bushings in the carrier that hold the guide rod mount. All of my bushings were dry rotted. Just knock them out with a hammer, clean the carrier with a wire wheel, lube the hole and use threaded rod with thick washers to press the bushings in.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.