it just is.
try installing a ball joint (with the mercedes tool!)
the lip will break clean off. and no, it wasn't going in crooked.
ordered lemforder and they went in smooth as anything.

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1964 datsun 1500
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this is where I quote some dude, so I look smart because of quoting that dude that said something smart once

In your Datsun?

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

I agree, I've had three ball joints break like this using the MB tool, and now come to think of it, they were all Meyle.

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

Lemforder is OEM. Furnished the parts to my front end shop a couple of years ago. I ordered Lemforder parts (LCA bushings if I recall) from one of the on-line sources and then stopped by the local stealership.

The Lemforder bushing had the MB logo burnished off. The dealer part still had the logo intact. Same part. Pretty obvious.

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84 300DT Puke Yellow. Totalled after 438,000
84 300DT Orient Red. 169,000 (actual mileage may vary)
2002 Explorer EB (wife's)

it has a 126 front end

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1964 datsun 1500
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this is where I quote some dude, so I look smart because of quoting that dude that said something smart once

I just had a set of meyle lowers pressed into my 123 at a local shop.
No reported problems.

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"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"
-Arthur C. Clarke

"I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people. I require the same from them."
--John Wayne.

OBK member#16
77 300D
75 300D (rusty parts car)
73 220D (Dad's)
98 Jeep Grand Cherokee
82 Kawasaki M1

Meyle = 100% aftermarket!
A somewhat German company that doesn't use OR make their products there!

Most made in Turkey OR China.

Stick with OE quality!

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

WOW! Their web page touts "German quality" but come to think of it, does not clearly state German made.

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1987 300D (230,000 mi on a #14 head-watching the temp gauge and keeping the ghost in the machine)
Raleigh NC - Home of deep fried sushi!

I'm sure it's german engineering. it's just the choice of material and manufacturing process that's not...

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1964 datsun 1500
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this is where I quote some dude, so I look smart because of quoting that dude that said something smart once

I fitted a Meyle water-pump to my BMW when I first got it, The original had a plastic impeller that disintegrated...

The Meyle pump lasted only 6K miles, before the shaft snapped flush with the flange, sending the fan into the radiator!

I was NOT happy!

I will never use That make again!

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http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...0TDnoplate.jpg

Alastair AKA H.C.II South Wales, U.K. based member

W123, 1985 300TD Wagon, 256K,
-Most recent M.B. purchase, Cost-a-plenty, Gulps BioDiesel extravagantly, and I love it like an old dog.

W114, 1975 280E Custard Yellow,
-Great above decks needs chassis welding--Really will do it this year....