This is the inside of the left front wheel of the '85 SD. There seem to be multiple names in use for front end parts. So it would be helpful to get the name that will allow me do a search for a DIY on how to get the old one out and new one in (circled in yellow, oozing grease). Any links leading to same also welcome.

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'83 SD, 2x '85 SD
You are entitled to your own opinions, you are not entitled to your own facts.

Lower ball joint.

That's the most difficult component on the front suspension due to its location and the difficulty of removing the joint.

The easiest way to attack it is to remove the spring and both control arms from the spindle. You can then remove the spindle from the vehicle and bring it to a dealer or a shop to press the ball joint for you.

Since the lower control arm is now removed, it would be in your interest to consider replacing the guide rod mounts at this time. Judging from the look of that front suspension, it doesn't appear to have had any work done in the recent past.

I'm right in the middle of doing similar to the SD, but the lower ball joints were replaced by some PO and, fortunately, I don't need to do them.

That's the lower or supporting ball joint, I had one replaced on my CD by a shop, they did it without taking anything off the car. An experienced front end mechanic can swap it out on the car.

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83 SD

84 CD

I rebuilt my front suspension a few months ago on the 300D and wow...what a difference! Do yourself a favor and either buy or rent the correct spring compressor. I attempted to do the job without and it turned into a nightmare. After I rented the spring compressor from a member here it was a fairly easy job. Getting the ball joint out of the control arm and the new one in can be a challenge, but if you do some research on here you will find many opinions on how to do it correctly.

Some might argue with this, but I bought one of the suspension rebuild kits from FCP Groton...and it has held up very well..the parts were good quality and it included everything I needed except for the guide rod mounts, which I purchased separately. If I had a show car then I might have purchased all original MB parts, but mine is basically a beater and anything would have been better than what I had.

However you decide to go, I would try and replace everything, chances are it is worn out and needs it anyway, plus if you have worn parts, it will cause your new parts to wear prematurely.

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1980 300SD 237k
1983 300D 195k (sold)
2003 Chevy Silverado 190k

The dreaded lower ball joint......I have to say this has to have been one of the most challenging jobs I've done on my car so far. As others have said, it would be best to combine this job with other front end components (i.e. guide rod bushings).

I found that I didn't need a spring compressor...I just jacked up the car and then also jacked up of the lower control arm seperatley (which essentially was compressing the spring). You have to take off the wheel, caliper, rotor, bearing etc and then remove the spindle. I found the hardest part for me was actually seperating the spindle from the upper control arm (it seemed to pund right out of lower arm). There are many threads relating to this that you will find of use. I was lucky enough to borrow a special MB press from my local indy to put the new ball joint in (lemforder), which helped a lot

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1983 300SD White with Grey interior