For me they were one in the same when I did mine. Does the one you referenced in that URL hold up pretty well? How many times have you used it? It presses on the base correct? I am going to put ABS spindles on sooner or later and one of my non OEM balljoints already has a crack in the boot.

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Thank you again.
I have one side all of the way apart, waiting for UPS today.
I will get it back together this week, then do the other side.
Will be interesting to see how much of a difference it really makes in the ride, and steering of the car.

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83 300SD Dark Silver Dark brown inside

I have used the separator several dozen times and it shows no signs of wear. It's a pretty serious piece of steel; the screw even has a ball bearing in the end. And it came with a lifetime guarantee from NAPA, so I hope to never need to buy another one! It works great on tie rod ends as well as ball joints; it doesn't damage the grease boots or gouge things up like a pickle fork.

The function of the separator is to remove the tapered pin from the control arm, not to press the ball joint out of the steerring knuckle (spindle.) (On domestic vehicles, the steering knuckle/control arm configuration is usually reversed, but the concept is the same.)

You know. I totally missed it was a puller . Can't tell you how many times I have looked at that tool and thought it was the press.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Ok,
I am starting to assemble, and bought the harbor freight bearing press.
Also deided to replace the tie rods, and the bushings in the guide roud mounting. they are starting to come apart.

I have spent way too much $$ on this now...

Anything special to watch for? the LCA bushing looks like it presses from both sides, one at a time, with the center piece installed?


Thanks

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83 300SD Dark Silver Dark brown inside

Do you have the proper spring compressor? You will need that for the LCA and guide rod removal.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

99 W210 E300 Turbo Diesel, chipped, DPF/Converter Delete. Still needs EGR Delete, 232K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Gone and still missed...1982 w123 300D, 1991 w124 300D

rrgrassi read my mind....


The LCA bushing go in at the same time. I used a long bolt and big washers to do the job.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Yes, I have the spring compressor.
There does not appear to be any special way for these to be aligned, Just place all three pieces in and press.

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83 300SD Dark Silver Dark brown inside

On a 3-part LCA bearing, the center element has two flat surfaces. When installing this part, the flats are to be parallel to the flat surface of the LCA where the brake support supporting tube (aka the guide rod) attaches.

Post 10 of this thread shows how the 3 piece W126 type LCA bushings go together.

Write up - Ball Joints & Lower Control Arm Bushings & Tool Review (PICS!)

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

ok, What is the secret to getting the BJoint back in?
I went and got the HF press, but still can not get the joint pressed in. Seems to always go in a little crooked.
Thanks

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83 300SD Dark Silver Dark brown inside

The secret for me was to take the ball joints and steering knuckles to a local inde that had the MB press and paid him $30 to press them in AND it took two guys to do it but they were done in 15 minutes.

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1983 300SD
200000miles

There is no way to do the job correctly with a generic press. The job is incredibly simple with a MB press. Take Phil's advice and do whatever it takes to find one. I got mine pressed in for $20 going through the back door at the dealer; in and out in 10 minutes. A local indepedent shop, however, did quote $125 for the job. That was with the naked spindles delivered to the shop and placed on the bench. I would have bought a press before I paid that!!!

Thanks for the help,
Took the ball joints in and had them installed.
Headed in for an alignment today.

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83 300SD Dark Silver Dark brown inside

Thanks for the help.
Now another issue. After rebuilding the front, the rear now seems to be sagging. Maybe I should not have done this?
So, what is involved in rebuilding the rear suspension?
both are W126

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83 300SD Dark Silver Dark brown inside