[lushansilva]

has anyone used one of these tools to replace ball joints? if so, would you reuse it?

 

[wbain]

That's a ball joint seperator tool. You cannot replace the ball joints with it.

 

[BenzQC]

If you don't have a special tool you can just bash them with a hammer

 

[NüR-SPEC]

If you don't have a special tool you can just bash them with a hammer

i'm a big suspension geek, but that's what it usually comes down to...

the 10lb dead blow

 

[DarkOneSK]

installing new ones is substantially harder. They need to be pressed in. and considering the weird configuration of the control arm, pressing is difficult. getting em out is easy. sledge hammer and a 22+mm socket to bash em out.

 

[cjscopp]

DarkoneSK ain't kidding,getting the ball joints out is a snap, but pressing them back in requires a special tool. I did mine a few months back and I had a tool, not the MBZ tool mind you, but a c-clamp type ball joint press. I made a custom part to complete the deal and viola' in they went. But I could not see any way to press them in the traditional way at all with the knuckle designed the way it is. The tool pictured above would never work to press the new ball joints back in.

 

[lushansilva]

Everyone, thank you for your input. looks like this is the right tool. it costs almost $400.00. i wonder if anybody would rent something like this......

 

[cjscopp]

You can rent it through Performanceproducts.com

 

[AzimuthAviation]

DarkoneSK ain't kidding,getting the ball joints out is a snap, but pressing them back in requires a special tool. I did mine a few months back and I had a tool, not the MBZ tool mind you, but a c-clamp type ball joint press. I made a custom part to complete the deal and viola' in they went. But I could not see any way to press them in the traditional way at all with the knuckle designed the way it is. The tool pictured above would never work to press the new ball joints back in.

Hey "cjscopp"! Would you still have that set-up around? I'm getting ready in the next few weeks to do the front end of the 300sd. I want to get the half shaft boots done on a spare set I've got and do both jobs when I put the car on stands for a week. Let me know and I'll contribute to your car or beer fund if you can press the lower ball joints for me.

 

[BenzQC]

Pressed in ball joints! damn, never heard of that before sounds like a PITA.