Which LCA bushing and ball joint should I buy?
 

I've decided to replace the LCA bushing and ball joint to address the pop and wheel looseness I get when making a hard right turn. The sound is coming from the front left side of the car. I've replaced everything else in the suspension/steering system save the box, but the noise only happens when the car is moving so I think the box is okay.
From what I've read some brands of bushings don't press in correctly, and Lemfoerder ball joints need the MB press where as Pex brand ball joints don't. I noticed that Phil sells a Moog ball joint. Does anyone know anything about the quality of that ball joint and whether or not it needs the MB press? Thanks

On the W126, the lower ball joints, regardless of brand, need a press to install them. IIRC, someone here on the forum made the press from an auto parts store work. But it was with a little finagling and using it "backwards". Another, purchased a mandrel with a special cut out.

Personally, I took mine to an indy who had the press. Cost ~$10 and 5 min. of time.

Also, I think a ball joint press is available in the forum tool rental program.

What makes the Pex brand so easy to install?

I'm not sure if it's easy to install, just found an online catalog which had the Pex listed next to the Lemfoerder and the catalog stated that the Lemfoerder needed the MB press, but no mention of a specific press for the Pex ball joint.

I suspect that you might be reading too much into an omission. It's really the design of the steering knuckle that requires the special press.

Is this because the vertical arm of the knuckle on the W126 extends at an angle so there is no way of punching or pressing straight down on the ball joint with a socket?

That, combined with the fact that the bottom of the knuckle is not "square" with the axis of the ball joint recess.

Answer
 

They all require special tools to install.
Here are threads to explain the issues.


Ball Joint Nightmare - chapter 2
Ball Joint Nightmare - chapter 2 - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

Advanced Auto Ball Joint Press Tool
Advanced Auto Ball Joint Press Tool - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

Lower Ball Joint Replacement Question
Lower Ball Joint Replacement Question - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

Lower ball joints can be done without the MB tool
Lower ball joints can be done without the MB tool - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

Write up - Ball Joints & Lower Control Arm Bushings & Tool Review (PICS!)
Write up - Ball Joints & Lower Control Arm Bushings & Tool Review (PICS!) - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum



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It is not true that you need to have the MB/Klann Ball Joint press to install the Lemfeorder Ball Joints. (Compressing the front Spring is best done with an MB type Spring Compressor; the Klann one or a Klann Clone.)
If you are Careful you can use the Free Rental C-Press that AutoZone has.
In the pic where the Red Arrow points you are better off if you get a Washer between the Ball Joint and the C-press because the surface of the Ball Joint is rather rounded at the top.
It is going to require that you enlarge the Hole in the Washer to slide over the Ball Joint Shaft.

There is also a Tubular Ball Joint installer that used to sell for about $108 but you need to have access to a Hydraulic Press to use it.

DIY Repair Links
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/forumdisplay.php?f=82
http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/DoItYourSelf

I prefer Lemforder or dealership boxed ball joints. But, Lemforder or nothing else.

I doesn't matter how careful you are. There is no way that a generic press is going to apply pressure at the proper point (at the flange) on the ball joint. Your picture proves that.

Thanks for the replies so far. Does anyone have experience with the Lemfoerder LCA bushings?

There are two MB specialty shops in my town, so I might just bring the knuckle and ball joint to one of those shops rather than jerry rig the Autozone press.

I saw that same quote about the PEX ball joint so I decided to give them a try. I tried the autozone press tool like D911 shows. I tried a little and quickly gave up. I knew I was going to be in trouble so I took it to the indy that had the press. Both ball joints refused to go in straight. The press ended up shearing off the flange. he ordered lemfoerder ones and the pressed in like butter

Other Forum Members from this Forum and Benzworld have used the same or similar tool. I got the idea from this Forum.

The pic you saw was only one of a series of pics. In order to press the Joint all the way down I had to use a Pipe under the bottom as a spacer so the Joint would push out all of the way to the bottom.

However, the truth is that the C-press is not a very precision item and you need to be careful to keep things lined up.

See what one of our members did:
w123 ball joint tool; see post #13 for the homemade Ball Joint installer
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/299429-w123-ball-joint-tool.html

No argument there. But they likely took years off the life of their ball joints in the process. Squeezing the ball joint from the top, instead of from the flange, just isn't smart. No way, no how.