the c-clamp style from harbor freight has the wrong diameter pieces to work. I have the otc version from 25 years ago, that the clones are based on. easy to jam up while pressing the old joint out. I like the press featured in the link above. gonna try it. good luck, chuck.

Time is an element for me too. I'll be doing the control arms, strut bushings, steering damper, flex discs, springs, and.struts and maybe clean out the diff breather tube and replace abs seal in the same weekend.

Once I get past the initial blast I'll be able to relax with repairs and be a little more thourough on process and part section.

the front is real easy on a 201/124 - get a spring compressor to remove the springs if you want to remove the arms from the car, if not then a jack stand and this press will work.

while at the job it would take an additional 10 minutes to replace the strut mounts, and if you had to remove the hub and dust shield like me because the damn pinch bolt of the ball joint was rusted solid - then its a great time to repack the front bearings too.

Steering damper is only two bolts with the car on jacks already.

__________________
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)

Agreed. Steering damper is easy once car is on jack stands already. Once you have your front suspension and steering rebuilt you will notice a huge difference. No more vibrations or clunking/clanking.

__________________

1990 190E 3.0L

Nor constant wondering on the freeway.

__________________
You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime you just might find you get what you need.

I'm in it now. Have the SG Motorsports spring compressor on the way and Lemfoerder arms. Next month I'm going to finish everything up. Struts/mounts/springs, steering damper, etc. Already did the tie rods.

It does wander at over 50 mph. There is a squeaking from the right front when turning the wheel even when stopped. I only drive it to work for now, but would like to expand my range.

Look for a worn / loose steering componet. Pull the care over a ditch or similiar such that you can lay underneath and see what's happening. Have a buddy sit in the car (motor off) and turn the steering wheel back and forth slowly. With a light, start where the steering shaft mounts to the steering box (I believe there is a rag joint that can wear there) and inspect all the joints along with looking for play in the steering box. Replace what's worn and get an allignment.

ball joint

__________________
You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime you just might find you get what you need.

Job done. Start time 8:30am. Finished for test drive at 8:30pm. That included numerous cool down breaks. It got up to 102F today.

Some notes.

The nut on the left steering knuckle was frozen. Tried PB Blaster. Tried a torch. Ended up grinding it off.

The same nuts were impossible to get a torque wrench on with the wheels on the ground. It is a clearance issue with brake parts. Did my best with a 3/8 ratchet and box wrench on the other side. I doubt it's 92 Ft lbs though.

The car is sitting much higher. The steering is way better. No squeaking. It drives on rails now. The owner is a little smashed up and greasy though.

that pinch bolt made me real angry so I used my 3 ft long 1/2 inch drive breaker bar with added cheater pipe, worked it back and forth slightly till it squeaked, sprayed some aerokroil (love it) and worked it some more. after 10 minutes, I gave it a viking type grunt - complete with guffaw and it unscrewed itself.

Good thing is that the new bolts are coated to prevent corossion.

__________________
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)

This press can remove dead in the water joints very easily as it stays put and you can even hit it HARD with a hammer after cranking the bolts to loosen the rust bond. If you see my pictures you can see how rusty the old ones were.

It took me very little effort to replace with this press.

This kind of press can also be used to squeeze in the bushings too. you only need to get two pipe pieces that can sit on the bushing collars and crank away on the nuts- then get an old wheel bolt or any heavy conical item and a hammer to flare out the new centre tube to lock it in place.

__________________
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)