I want to replace my lower ball joint on my 85 300 sd. I wonder if the JTC # 1849 tool basically a pipe cut out for the curve of the arm can still be found? I also read that Kinetik auto equipment tools used to sell them on e-bay but could not find any thing on them now. Little skeptical of using the auto zone rental tool as i think you have to remove the boot to use this and some people say it does not fit right. I might just try to make my own tool unless someone has better options.

Good questions.
From my personal experience the correct C clamp looking tool is
probably best as everything else is not excellent.

The rented one is probably next best as it is strong enough and does the job
and you get your deposit back. I ended up on this one.
And using an airgun got enough power to drive the ball joint back in.

The pipe tool I have not seen for sale, but did take some black iron pipe
and end mill it to look the same. It crushed and bent and did not work.

The Harbor Freight C clamp style that looks like rental tool was okay-ish
but actually stretched out of shape when fully compressed.

So the rental did the job without stretching.

I never got to use official Mercedes Ball Joint installer but believe it is the best tool to use. They are rentable here on the board.

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80 300D 340K Owned 30 yrs
83 300SD 440K Owned 9 yrs - Daily Driver 150mi/day
02 Z71 Suburban 117,000
15 Toyota Prius 2600 miles
00 Harley Sportster 24k
09 Yamaha R6
03 Ninja 250

I found this one in Pelican Parts.
Pelican Parts.com - Ball Joint Press tool

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works