Pretty sure he means LCA

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1998 E300 +310,000K
1996 E300 +460,000K

um, the ball joint in question has already been disconnected from the LCA, now the joint needs to be removed from the steering knuckle... the ball joint on MB cars are pressed into the knuckle, not the LCA...

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That varies by model. But, reading between the lines, the OP appears to be talking about his W123. My comments are based on that assumption.

Yeah, I know. I just rebuilt the front end on my SDL this Monday. Sounded to me like he was reiterating how to remove the steering knuckle from the car, since he was talking about removing the top ball joint. And you experienced guys all know the upper ball joint is never removed from upper control arm.

You do know that, right?

Why don't we wait for him to clarify, okay?

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1998 E300 +310,000K
1996 E300 +460,000K

You are right; he might have meant LCA. But he should have said "steering knuckle."

If you think that pounding the ball joint out of the LCA with a socket is a recipe for success, you probably haven't tried it.

Did one Monday (third 126 complete front end rebuild I've done so far). One side popped out simply pounding on the threaded shaft of the balljoint. Driver's side I had to heat the control arm with a propane/oxy torch and wail on it like Thor with my pickle fork to get it separated.

So yeah, I've tried it.

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1998 E300 +310,000K
1996 E300 +460,000K

Well, I didn't think this one would generate much response. Sorry if there was some confusion, I am talking about the 123 (240D) - my apologizes for not specifying that. The gist of the post was just share a method for separating the ball joint from the LCA. Again, there are several ways one could approach this, I was just having a difficult time with other methods on account of trying to work within the wheel well area. So, I removed the steering knuckle (with LCA still attached) from the car - that gave me plenty of room to work. Then I used the wrench + pickle fork method as described and it was darn easy. Maybe I can recreate the arrangement and post a couple pics - I always appreciate it when people have pics to go with an explanation.

Thanks for the tips on ball joint removal from the steering knuckle, I'll let you know how it goes.

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'95 E300D ("Tank") - 231,000 miles
'79 240D ("Biscuit") - 197,250 miles (Sold)
'83 240D ("Ding-Ding") - 217,000 miles (Death by deer)
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Victory, at least so far. The HF pincher tool popped tie rod ends UBJ's from the steering knuckle and left LBJ from the LCA before stripping out on the right, which would not yield for love, money or air tools.

Wrench & pickle fork did not work wrench would bounce out. Pickle fork would not work by itself because you hit the knuckle before pickle fork is in far enough to part the joint.

Shortened the PF in 2 stages w/ a hacksaw so it could penetrate the joint far enough to part it, and not hit the knuckle on the far side. 1st cut, 3/8" off the sharp end, 2nd cut 1/4" off the end. Good hits w/ a 5 lb hammer and it's off.

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Yeah, I had considered modifying the pickle fork in the manner you described, but then read about using the added wrench. I managed to get it to work because I had the steering knuckle removed from the car with LCA still attached - that way I could orient them any way I needed to. I was not having much luck until I configured it so that I was pounding down (instead of from the side) on the pickle fork - in that arrangment the wrench did not fall out. Glad you got them apart - pretty satisfying after you beat on them for a while.

__________________
'95 E300D ("Tank") - 231,000 miles
'79 240D ("Biscuit") - 197,250 miles (Sold)
'83 240D ("Ding-Ding") - 217,000 miles (Death by deer)
______________________________________

"Back off, man. I’m a scientist” ~ Peter Venkman