Hi,
I am looking for a good diy in southeast mich. to help me with my car. I am not looking for any freebies. I have been in construction all my life and can offer my services in return for your help(concrete, plumbing,drywall work and repair, painting etc etc etc ) I can get 45% discount on plumbing fixtures at certain supply houses. Cash is another option. All I ask is to be treated fairley. I want to learn hands on about my car from a guy who knows mercedes. I have a 1983 300sd. The repair I need the most is lower ball joints. The guy I was going to use for service wanted to charge me 80 dollars a piece for them. The most expensive ones I could find were only about 24 dollars and I don't believe a mark up on parts of almost 4 times the amount is fair. I am located 35 miles east of lansing and will drive up to 75 miles for help.

Thanks Jim

maybe someone at the get together will offer their help. i'd imagine with 20 or so people on the job it would get done in no time. or some one could hold a workshop on how to fix a ball joint.

__________________
-Trevor

OBK #12
1980 300SD 333,XXX miles - Totaled
1986 Mazda RX-7 212,XXX miles - impounded and auctioned off
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited 33,000- SEGR, Provent, Fumoto

ouch, the lower BJ's are a bear to change. it involves a pricey spring compressor, a specialty press that has no other uses, and it can be quite dangerous. I seriously doubt they would get changed at a GTG... ask the guy what brand ball joint he is charging 80 for, and how long he will warranty the joint with free labor for replacement at that mark up. the OEM lemforder joint is 31 from this site... with that much mark up, what is he claiming the costs to get it changed? 12 hours? or 7 hours at 250.00/hour? or just offering a fixed price?

__________________
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!

Labor 470 dollars. Doesn't look like a diy job to me eithier.

Jim

See if Roy will do any work on vehicles. He's close to Detroit and might still do some work part time.

Contact him via the "Buy Parts" link on this forum.

His handle on the forum is "WHunter".

Spoke with Roy earlier on this issue but I believe hes a pretty busy guy.Thanks for the thought Brian. Will probabley have to bite the bullet on this one as I don't want to let this go too long. Good news is no other issues at this time.

Jim

I just did my lower ball joints and did not need a spring compressor, just put a jack stand under the lower arm to support it. Getting the old joint seperated was not easy and I wound up drilling out the shaft and then knocking it out. I took the steering knuckle and ball joint to a MB shop and had them press it in for $30. Reassembly is easy.

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1983 300SD
200000miles