Originally Posted by James L

What I did on my w126 as others have metioned was to uses a come-along-winch type pulley. Attach one hook to a heavy chain around the lower control arm, then the other hook to a stationary object like a parked cars towing eye and slowly crank until control arms moves foward enough to get clearance for the ball joint bolt to go on to the guide rod.

Also used lubromoly anti seize compound to aide assembly on all the threads.

I hope you replaced the big rubber subframe bushings while the bracket was off? Makes a huge difference in ride quietness and smoothness.