I need to replace the ball joints in the '85 300D, I've read a few walk throughs and I've got the spindles off the car.

I was going to use the pound them out method, and use the autozone rental tool to reinstall.

My understanding is you need to remove the boots from the balljoints to prevent the autozone tool from damaging them.

Is there any trick to removing the boots? I got lemfoerder ball joints and the spring on the base seems pretty tight.

I figured I've ask before I just went at them with a flat screw driver.

You use something dull like a Table Knife so it won't puncher the Boot. Find the top part of the where the Spring ends and pry up and slightly out wards so there is enough room to get a Needle Nose Pliers on it.
Once you have it pull up on the Spring. If it does not cooperated slide the Dull Table Knife under the Spring and pry it upwards and out wards slightly while you pull up on it.

The goal is to gently stretch it out like you would do If you were pulling on that old spring type toy the Slinky.

When the bottom end of the Spring starts to pull up you need to look and see if it is sharp or not. If sharp keep it away from the Boot.

So basically you want to pull the Spring up by the top Coil with out distorting it or sticking the Boot.
To put it back on grab the bottom end of the Spring with the Needle Nose Pliers and sort of do the reverse.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I used the Funola Red Neck BJ removal technic, and it worked very well.
Red neck lower ball joint removal

Used a Post Hole digger, after mkt not the MB official digger,
placed a 1/4" flat 4x4" plate in the bottom for the arm to rest on somthing solid.
Used 2 impact sockets 27mm & 11/16" to beat on. BJ came out with 7 whacks.

Lucked out, Indy loaned me his MB BJ press. amazing how easy they go in with the MB tool. this tool is a bit pricy, around $300.

There is another after MKT BJ tool that is a tube that you need a press to use it. Bodyart27 shows the tool in post #4 & 7. this tool is arond $100 on e-bay.

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

Rollguy made a spacer for the HF large "C" press.
Ball joint replacement using HF kit and home made adapter

I used Lemforder Ball joints, and used a small flat screw driver to remove the spring. Just have to be careful and go slow.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

putty knife works great for this.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!