Does anyone have any tips for changing the ball joints on a 87 240.
And where the ball joints have the four bolts that hold it on to the strut.
I have all four bolts out and the ball joint will not come off the strut
am I missing anything.

Not to take away for you post. But I think you got your answer.....My question is how do you tighten the nut that is on the back side of the strut plate? The ball joint that i have doesn't have "flats" or allen wrench hole.....



Thanks

Did you seperate your ball joint? The ball joint comes as a unit. The lower bracket that attaches with 3 bolts to the control arm, the ball joint which rotates in the cup of that bracket and is covered by the rubber boot, and the upper plate that attaches to the strut and through the center of which the bolt of the ball joint extends and is held in place by a nut.

Is this the nut you are talking about? If so the bolt is "coned" so tightening the nut might be accomplished by pressing down on the plate while tightening the nut.
--
1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb and M46 trans

When you attach the new BJs to the control arms, just barely snug the 3 big bolts, then drive the whole unit inboard, hold it there, and tighten the 3 nuts.

Reason? There is enough "slop" on those 3 bolt holes to affect Camber.

In my case, with the BJs "outboard", the negative camber was obvious and it failed the CT state inspection. With BJs moved inboard as described, it passed.
--
Bruce Young
'93 940-NA (current) — 240s (one V8) — 140s — 122s — since '63.

You also need to remove the three bolts that hold it to the control arm and it should come off. Tap it along the edge where it mates with the strut with a punch and hammer. Did bot mine a year back and I had to tap it with a hammer.

Cheers,
Raj
--
90 BMW 325is, 98 BMW 528i, 90 Volvo 240DL

Correct, I forgot - it is three bolts. It's been a while.

Sirmebes means 4 bolts to the strut and 3 to the arm.

Whack the part that attaches to the a-arm (you did remove those two screws?) - whack it HARD with a hammer - it will pop off.