Do I need spring compressor to change lower ball joints?
 

Bushings yes, ball joints no.

Read the many posts on changing the lower ball joints. No spring compressor, but you will need to remove the spindle. Getting the old ball joint out is easy (framing hammer). Pressing the new one in is more challenging. You need the special C-press (free rental). A shop press only works w/ a special adapter tube that fits around the spindle.

The official MB tool works like butter. My Indy loaned me his. I`ve been looking for a used one, but they cost more than a rusted out W123. :eek:

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/i...6J17btd-ZBrS9A
400 × 250 - sirtools.com



Here is one for $100 but you will need to spend $200 for a hyd Press.
Or if you know someone with a press would be cool and cheaper.

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/i...KOGN_X676RuRXg 760 × 692 - benzworld.org




Or you can use ROLLGUY`s method of making an adaptor and the HF big "C" Press.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/333726-ball-joint-replacement-using-hf-kit-home-made-adapter.html


You will have to beat the Lower Ball joint out with a BFH and a Socket on the end of the BJ.

I used FUNOLA`s Red Neck method, worked great and I didn`t have to hold the Steering Knuckle with one hand and beat with the other.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/321615-red-neck-lower-ball-joint-removal.html

Or stick it is a vice.


https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/i...6wFAvIgaAhfrIp 1280 × 960 - benzworld.org




Charlie

[QUOTE=charmalu;3601333The official MB tool works like butter. My Indy loaned me his. I`ve been looking for a used one, but they cost more than a rusted out W123. :eek:]

The magic mb ball joint tool⚡️ one site that sold the ball joints said if you don't have the magic tool then don't get the Lemforder ball joint... 🤔 So guess I would settle for less thinking an indy may have trouble pressing in Lemforder?

Here is my version of this tool. I made with a $5 pipe from the remnant pile from my local steel yard. It measures 60.8mm outer diameter and 49.8mm inner diameter. With a $3 dollar Harbor Freight cut off blade, I took off the side to make it fit the knuckle. Works great. With my 20 ton press, it drives the new ball joint down in less than 1 minute. I've done 6 ball joints in the past few years with this $8 dollar tool.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1464284989

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1464285004



.

I made due with a loaner balljoint press from from a parts store. The big requirement was that you need a very short die that fits the outside diameter of the balljoint with the boot removed, and I had to use my impact set on high for quite a while to get it to slide in. The die needs to be roughly 1/2" long, then the set will have some stepped spacers that have a hole in them for the threads of the balljoint to fit through. It wasn't a particularly fun job. You could probably find a metal shop with the right diameter tubing who is willing to cut you the short spacer. (The one in my kit had a bit of a bevel cut to the spacer, which meant I had to rotate the spacer a few times to get it pressed in evenly)

The cutout tubing piece that DeliveryValve and charmalu show seems like a nice solution too.

Nice! Monkeys figured out to use stones to crack nuts. This is a few steps beyond that lol. With that tool, I think you should be able to drive it in with a 3 lb hammer, press not really needed.

With this tool I have, the advantage is it fits the Lemförder balljoint without taking the boot off. It also fits a Meyle joint also.


Maybe, but the press drives it in steady and nicely.


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So, in Red Neck talk,
60.8mm = 2.39370079 inch.
49.8mm = 1.96062992 inch.

Good looking tool. Looks like black iron pipe.
What`s the length from the top of the knuckle to the top of the pipe?. Maybe 6"?
What kind of a press did you buy? remember you were looking for one a while back.

Charlie

Hey Charlie, yeah you were sending me those craigslist list ads, egging me on, and then one came up not too long after. 20 ton Central Pneumatic for for $75. Couldn't pass it up. Then I started using it for all sorts of stuff. Had to make a few jigs for it.
Charlie, You definitely need on of these things in your shop.

Yes that is black iron pipe. If you measure from the top of the cutout to the end of the pipe, it is 4 1/2 inches. I made it long enough so the ram of the press would fit inside it and not hit the knuckle.


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Excellent tool
 

Impressive tool.

I took my knuckles off and brought them to an automotive machine shop. They used one guy as a vice and a very large 2lb? Ball peen hammer to knock the joints out. They were rusty.

Then they used this OTC press kit (c frames and cups) in a big case to press in the joints. Used an air impact driver.

I was hoping they were going to use the hydraulic press but they just couldn't get it in. I paid them a C note when it was done and put the knuckles back on my car.

Charlie do you know if that tool made by sir tools.com works also for the ball joints in a W124?

I guess it would, but it's unnecessary. 124 ball joints press into the control arm.