I'm going with Lemforder for the Upper Control Arms and Genuine Mercedes Benz for the outer bushings. Is there any special grease I need to get to lubricate these parts?

Also, this link from Diesel Giant shows him performing the Upper Control Arm repair. Do I need the special pickel fork?

Mercedes Upper Control Arm Repla

Pickle fork will be a huge help to free the upper ball joint from the steering spindle. Can be rented at most McAutoparts places.

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Current fleet
2006 E320 CDI
1992 300D - 5speed manual swapped

former members
1984 300D "Blues Mobile"

1978 300CD "El Toro"

dont use a pickle fork, you only need two hammers, loosen the nut 1 or 2 turns and place one hammer on one side of the spindle eye and hit the other side - the ball joint neck will let go of the eyelet it is locked in.

For greasing of such bushings silglyde or even some silicone grease works good.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

You will need the Pickle Fork or some type of separator to pop the Steering knuckle and BJ apart.
Autozoo or kragans auto supply have a free tool loan program.

The BJ shaft is tapered, so a tight fit. When I did the 85 300D, I used two large hammers and whacked on the sides to the Steering knuckle at the same time.
The vibrations of hitting it, will make it pop apart. may have to whack it a few times.
The part you hit is below the rubber boot and above the Nut in the below picture.

The pickle Fork will work also, It is a wedged piece that forces the parts apart. It will cut the boot, but you are replacing the parts anyway.
I wouldn`t use it if you were still going to use the Control arms if they were in good shape.

Be sure to have a Floor jack under the lower control arm like DJ shows. It will drop down when separated.
Then you only have the Shock holding the tension of the Spring. Remember...Safety.

I put my Bushings in dry, don`t remember reading about adding a lubercant. MB on the assembly line probably did them dry.

Charlie

sent from my POS computer

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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

No need for any grease, just install everything dry. Just snug the body to UCA bolt while the car is in the air. Then when you have the tires on and put the car on the ground, tighten those bolts up. All BJ nut and swaybar bolt all get tighten down while the car is in the air.

As far as the pickle fork is concerned, I am not a fan of it. It just destroys everything. I like using one 3 lbs hammer and a pry bar. As mentioned above, just hit it very hard on the side of the knuckle eyelet. I like to use the pry bar to leverage the swaybar upward while hitting the knuckle. It will help in popping the joint off.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

In looking over the dieselgiant method, there are a few items that I want to comment on.

First, once you support the car on jack stands, there is no reason to put a jack under the lower control arm. The shock will hold the spring in place and you will want some play to move the knuckle out of the way. However, you may need to put a jack under the LCA after you install the UCA and need to get the upper ball joint stud to "bite" the knuckle in order to tighten the nut down.

Second, dieselgiant has trouble re-installing and lining up the swaybar bushings. I like to remove them last and install them first. See pics.

After removing the UCA to body bolt, muscle and/or pry it out and flip it over. Then remove the sway bar bolt and remove the UCA.


Install the bushings and swaybar to the new UCA. Snug the bolt down while the UCA is up side down. Flip it over and muscle it in place.


After the UCA to body bolt is in place and snug down. Tighten down the swaybar bolt with your gear wrench.

Attached Thumbnails

     

__________________
1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

I just did this job for the second time.

The first time, I printed out and followed the Diesel Giant DIY. I don't like it.

There is (IMHO) a far better DIY right here in the Tech Info section, written by forum member Littlerobot (I wish people would just use Upper Control Arm as the term and be done with it, lots of confusion when people say Upper Ball Joint instead).

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W123UpperBallJoint

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

The only comment I would add is to ensure the nut for the control arm (at the ball joint) is identified and don't lose it. On the W126 at least, this is an extra-fine thread and very rare. (IIRC 12mm x 1.0mm nut)

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Following the FSM, have the weight of the car on the front end, i.e. jack stands under the LCA when torque values are utilized.

If you need to set the ball joint, use a spacer, i use an appropriate open end wrench, tighten down the nut to seat it then remove the wrench and proceed.

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83 SD

84 CD

A special thank you for all the input, it is appreciated. As soon as the parts arrive, I will begin repairs. I"ll keep everyone updated as to how it is going. Now to mentally prepare to get greasy. Beer and hot wing breaks are a must for this type of work.......

Hot wing?

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

Stretch, maybe an American thing, hot wings are chicken wings with dipping sauce.

Goes VERY well with beer...

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83 SD

84 CD

The upper control arm is straight forward.

The really hard part was lower ball joints and lower inner bushings. I bought a large 3/4" drive socket and made a press out of threaded rod, thick washers and the socket. Slyglyde helped the bushing to seat.

Edit: I think the socket was 2-3/8" bought from northern too. For $15.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

Stretch, how about some Buffalo Wings?


Charlie

send from my POS computer

__________________
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

Watch out, Charlie. He may retaliate with Toad in the Hole with a side of Mushy Peas. The side dish is one of the more mysterious features of British cuisine....

__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22