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Originally Posted by deniss
******** AZ sells Lemfoerder lower balljoints, and they are saying it's Mercedes OE and require the special Mercedes tool, whereas other balljoints like TRW do not... Hmmm.
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That is total BS.
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Originally Posted by deniss
Speaking of balljoint tools... I've read a few threads on that and it sounds confusing how to make a tool for this. I think I'll try to get these pressed out and then pressed in at a machine shop rather than making a special tool... Are they easier to press once the control arm is removed?
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To remove the balljoint, you wail on it from the bottom with a 2# sledge and a mandrel (easier to do with the knuckle clamped in a vice on your workbench); toto install it, I used a generic (read Chinese) balljoint installation clamp/press thing from Harbor Freight. I think it cost about $30. I'm no fan of Harbor Freight but that clamp/press has been the best money I've spent on suspension tools. I think the one I have is the fundamentally the same as AutoZone's rental press.
I made an arbor-type puller out of all thread to install the LCA bushings in my 126's control arms. Worked well too. OTOH, the über special, $95 SirTools balljoint separator I bought from Samstag Sales broke the second time I used it and my SirTools spring compressor is showing disturbing amounts of wear after barely a year of intermittent use.