Finally tackled the ball joint job today. Took about 4 hours for both and included a quick run to NAPA to have them turn one rotor while it was off.

For some reason I was intimidated by this job and put it off all summer. Did not have any issues and once I did one side the other side went even quicker. I could done the job in a shorter time but all my tools were not as conveniently located as possible. Definently 'rent' (ie FREE use) of the autoZone ball joint press. That was a snap.

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Whoever dies with the most toys......Wins!

1984 300d
165k miles

cool - the autozone tool fit over the lower control arm as is, or did you hane to do anything special to it? Was there only one tool type available, or did you need to figure out which one of several? I really need to do this job soon

It came in a case with several attachments. Basically, it looks like a heavy duty c-clamp. One end is threaded with a hex head which I used my impact wrench on. The other end was open and this was the end that I put the threaded side of the ball joint thru (I removed the boot to prevent tearing). On the impact drive side, I used one of the attachments to span the hole that I was pressing the ball joint towards. I just aligned the tool and snugged up the slack so that the ball joint was being pressed straight in and let the impact wrench do the work. I did this on the shop floor with the rotor and metal guard removed and didn't need a vice or anything. Granted, it was a tight fit and it just moved in small amounts, but it did moved and the tool was beefy enough to handle the load.

I'll try to take a pic of the tool kit tomorrow and post.

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Whoever dies with the most toys......Wins!

1984 300d
165k miles

this is the same kit autozone has

Attached Thumbnails

 

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have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

how about removal of the old joint??

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Michael McGuire
83 300d
01 vw A4 TDI
66 Chevy Corsa
68 GMC V6 w/oD
86 300E

Get new rotors and pads -- if you turned that rotor, it's under minimun thickness, MB rotors are disposable.

Not a bad job with that tool, but if you have access to a lathe, it's worth turning a sleeve to press the ball joint in without taking the boot off. Almost impossible to keep the grease clean with the boot off.

Usually there is enough clearance to use the same tool to press the old one out (different arrangement of parts), or a vice and a 5 lb sledge and drift works fine most of the time. Once in a while you get one that is STUCK, require some more "magic" , but NEVER use an acetylene torch!!! PLEASE!!! If you get it red hot, the hole won't be round anymore, the temper will be gone, and the ball joint won't stay in.....

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!