I successfully got my springs and control arms off my 87 wagon yesterday. I borrowed the tool from the local Indy. They came off just like the video. I must have the smaller springs or different size plates or something.

Put it on high jack stands, had both wheels off, stuck in plates like it said in manual. Had to push in the plates more toward the center and then twist them around into place. Went right in. Before twisting the top one into place, I put tool up through bottom and engaged into top plate.

The FSM says put the plates with the notches facing toward inside of car the bottom one on bottom most ring and top one up so you are compressing 8 rings between the plates. I did that and used a long extension an 3/8 ratchet and kept cranking until spring popped out. The other side the spring started spinning before it was small enough to pop out. I had to get cozy with it and push it up into its seat and hold it while i cranked . It wasn't hard. Then put it in a vice clamping the top most plate between vice and uncrank.

I got a taste of how great it would be to have all the prefect tools for you car. Wow. Now hopefully it works as good on the 93.

Anyone know how to R&R control arm bushings?

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What Would Rudolph Do?
1975 300D, 1975 240D, 1985 300SD, 1997 300D, 2005 E320 , 2006 Toyota Prius

Almost looks self explanatory

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

Cool. 151.00 from handsontools.com. Tempting. I also found the fsm for bushings. Its in the Front Axle section not the suspension section. I was going to take it to the indy who lent me the spring tool to let them put in the bushings. They don't have that tool. They had a different generic set. The money i saved not buying the pre pressed control arms more than pays for the tool. I may do it.

Ball joints are my most hated job on these cars i decided. What a pita. The through bolt has been the hardest bolt to get off on the whole control arm removal process. And the brake dust shield you have to bend out of the way. I removed rotors and took out little bolts holding it on thinking it would slide out of the way and it dindn't. Still had to bend it a little. Other than that, if you can get your spring out with success its not a bad job. Suspension
bolts are all really tight though it seems.

I agree with babymog. Do everything you can while you're in there. I'd be doing shocks if mine were'nt already done.

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What Would Rudolph Do?
1975 300D, 1975 240D, 1985 300SD, 1997 300D, 2005 E320 , 2006 Toyota Prius