Does anyone know of someone in the Tucker/Stone Mountain, Georgia area that can press in 126 Lower Ball Joints for a reasonable price?

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Tom Evans
69 280SE 91K (wish I still had it)
73 220D 98K
78 300D 134K
78 300D 185K
81 300SD 301K (still have)
82 300SD 321K (still have)
84 300D 268K
84 6.2 Diesel GMC Suburban 225K (a whole different story!)

Are the pictures posted in this forum?

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Tom Evans
69 280SE 91K (wish I still had it)
73 220D 98K
78 300D 134K
78 300D 185K
81 300SD 301K (still have)
82 300SD 321K (still have)
84 300D 268K
84 6.2 Diesel GMC Suburban 225K (a whole different story!)

I also used the AutoZone type C-press.
What I found is that it would work a little better if you put a big Flat Washer between the Ball Joint and where the Press contacts it to make it easier to line up.

However, the correct outside diameter of washer will have a hole too small for the Ball Joint shaft to pass through and you have to enlarge the hole in the washer + a little extra clearance.

Also if you noticed in the pics you need to remove the Boot from the Joint in order to used the C-Press.

Lemforder Ball Joints are going to press in easier because the Knurled area on the Joint is the widest part of the Joint. This allows the lower un-knurled area to slide into the Steering Knuckle bore and helps with some initial alinement to get it started in straight.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Thanks, Whiskeydan and Diesel911. I'll give the AZ tool a try with some Lemfoerder ball joints. I've also heard of some folks putting a small amount of lithium grease on the knurled area to facilitate pressing.

Does anybody have the AZ stock number for the AutoZone rental tool?

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Tom Evans
69 280SE 91K (wish I still had it)
73 220D 98K
78 300D 134K
78 300D 185K
81 300SD 301K (still have)
82 300SD 321K (still have)
84 300D 268K
84 6.2 Diesel GMC Suburban 225K (a whole different story!)

Do yourself and your ball joints a big favor by putting the necessary effort into rounding up the proper MB press. Using a conventional ball joint press on a W126 is a total and complete amateur act.

Clearly it takes more care to use the C-press. With out using the Washer as I suggested in my previous post the Press wants to move around a little and the Threaded part of the Press is somewhat on the loose side and that also does not help with alinement.

In the thumbnail one of our amateur Members made his own Press!

Attached Thumbnails

 

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Concerning using the Grease that may be OK.
I used Engine Oil simply because I had that and it is somewhat thin.

Speaking in general I was taught (in Trade School) not to press things in dry unless there was a specific instruction not to.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

yup, i've used it myself successfully.

i LOVE being an amateur, and GOD i despise arrogant people (whoever and wherever they may be)

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