So I have my order ready to place with Peach. All Lemfoerder parts except for the control arm bushing they put in is Febi.

The tool to put the LBJ in is 500 bucks! (the rest of the entire order is only 335) so, it makes no sense to buy 1 tool that cost almost twice what all the other parts together cost.

Which begs me to ask the question, should I go with another LBJ that does not require THAT special tool to install? I'm taking the car to a local shop that does most my work like this and I know they will not have the Lem tool.

What are my choices?

Should I take the control arms over to MB and have them do it? Not really an option cause the cost of them doing it would most likely be as much as the tool... total bend over job there.

There are no Indy's in the Chattanooga area that can do it either. I have called around and asked. They suggest taking them to at a machine shop, and the machine shops say they can't do it...arg.

Not sure which vehicle you are working on?

Depending on the Vehicle the above stuff has been well covered and there is a tool rental program.
DIY Repair Links
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/forumdisplay.php?f=82
http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/DoItYourSelf

Any automotive machine shop should be able to press out and in Ball Joints.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Sorry my 85 300TD Wagon. I checked the tool rental program, and did not see a tool for the ball joints.

I checked and could not find them either. At on time there was 2 Ball Joint Installing presses in the Tool Rental. One was a Klann and the other I believe was a Baum Tool one.

Installing the Ball Joint can be done with a Free C-press Rental From Autozone. However, you need to remove the Boot from the Ball Joint and in the pic the Red Arrow points to where it would have been better if I had bought a large Washer and enlarged the central hole in the Washer because the Press is harder to keep centered with out it like I did.

Alternative tools:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/179284-write-up-ball-joints-lower-control-arm-bushings-tool-review-pics-3.html

Or like I said you can have them Pressed in at a Auto Machine Shop.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

ngarover, that $499.00 tool is the Baum tool #BM-116-0462.

There is another BJ tool also listed in the tool catalog for $331.80, TOL-M0063-SIR. this is the tool made by Sir Tools. Pelican lists both tools.

In that thread Diesel911 posted, look at post #4 and a couple below it. Bodyart27 uses a BJ tool, JTC #1849. with this one you use a hyd Press. the tool is sold on E-Bay for $100.00.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/179284-write-up-ball-joints-lower-control-arm-bushings-tool-review-pics.html

Order the Lemfoerder BJ`s, they are the best one`s to use. and the price isn`t too bad. Is there a MB lower BJ that doesn`t use the special tool? Iam not aware of it.

I was lucky, my Indy loaned me his special tool, and they went right in.

Use Funola`s Red Neck BJ removing thread, it sure worked good.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/321615-red-neck-lower-ball-joint-removal.html

This is Roll-Guy`s thread using the HF Ball Joint tool.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/333726-ball-joint-replacement-using-hf-kit-home-made-adapter.html


Charlie

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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

It cost me $100 to have someone remove and reinstall the ball joints with the $500 tool. For that price I thought it was worth it.

Lemforder is OE most of the time. There are not any other replacement ball joints that don't need pressed in, that is a function of the original design.

Did you call an _automotive_ machine shop and not a _tool and die / general manufacturing _ machine shop? Automotive machine shops can change ball joints in a standard shop press if the control arm is off the car.

The ball joint press pictured in post 4 is a generic auto parts tool. The only special MB specific portion is the press tube as it is metric.

I don't remember who but one of our Members made the below Ball Joint Press.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

on the 123/126 Lower ball joint, the joint is in the spindle, not the LCA...
this is why a special tool is needed, because the upper control arm mounting eye is SOOOOOO long, and right on top of the Lower ball joint...
there is a wright up on here using the ebay tool, and another using a chunk of pipe hacked to clear the arm...

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!