Ha! It was as simple as just hitting the bottom with a large hammer!

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1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).

Instead of a hammer, drive a wedge in the pinch - then just lift the spindle/hub and drop it on the ball joint, it will drop in place.

I usually take off the entire strut and spindle when replacing W124/201 ball joints, It allows easier access for the job and a bearing repack also.

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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)