Front suspension upper ball joints - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

polarisrmk · #1 09-02-2009, 03:32 AM

So both of my upper ball joints are bad on my 85 300sd as i was told by the people that tried to align the car today. there is a huge price difference between brands of upper control arms. ($28-$250 ea) has anyone purchased the cheaper ones ? the avg price seems to be about $80ea for bilsteen brand.

toomany MBZ · #2 09-02-2009, 09:08 AM

You may be able to get just the ball joint, (part #1165860533, this may just be a new boot and clip) if not, replace the entire upper control arm, around $50 a Febi-Bilstein/Meyle.
You would need to press in the new joint on your existing one, I would think you'd have to have it in a vise, so replacing the entire arm may be the way to go as you'd have a new inner bushing as well.

vstech · #3 09-02-2009, 09:14 AM

I don't believe the ball joint is replaceable on the uppers... it's kinda built into the UCA... the UCA bushings and the sway bar bushings are replaceable, but why bother? nearly the same cost as the entire swaybar with the bushing, just be sure and order new swaybar bushings with the kit. I've used the cheapies, and the Febi's so far so good on em.

Brian Carlton · #4 09-02-2009, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toomany MBZ

You may be able to get just the ball joint, (part #1165860533, this may just be a new boot and clip) if not, replace the entire upper control arm, around $50 a Febi-Bilstein/Meyle.
You would need to press in the new joint on your existing one, I would think you'd have to have it in a vise, so replacing the entire arm may be the way to go as you'd have a new inner bushing as well.

The entire UCA gets replaced on a W126 when the joint is bad. There are no replacements.

I've got a set of the knockoffs on the '86 SDL.........seem to be adequate to the task.

FWIW, there is no vehicle load on this joint and wear is usually minimal.

tankowner · #5 09-02-2009, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toomany MBZ

You may be able to get just the ball joint, (part #1165860533, this may just be a new boot and clip) if not, replace the entire upper control arm, around $50 a Febi-Bilstein/Meyle.
You would need to press in the new joint on your existing one, I would think you'd have to have it in a vise, so replacing the entire arm may be the way to go as you'd have a new inner bushing as well.

X2.

If you don't want to pay the $200+ for the OE, then pick up alternate brand at ~$50 a piece, as the others have said.

Johnhef · #6 09-02-2009, 04:08 PM

Stay away from Meyle, I've had a rash of them crack and split, the latest one on my former 84 SD we just changed out this past weekend, it had been on for less then a year, the boot was totally split open and the joint had massive amounts of play.

Theres one on my 560SEL as well, the car has been sitting for many months since the arm was replaced, the boot on it is all cracked up as well WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN!

polarisrmk · #7 09-02-2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnhef

Stay away from Meyle, I've had a rash of them crack and split, the latest one on my former 84 SD we just changed out this past weekend, it had been on for less then a year, the boot was totally split open and the joint had massive amounts of play.

Theres one on my 560SEL as well, the car has been sitting for many months since the arm was replaced, the boot on it is all cracked up as well WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN!

thank you for telling me this i almost was going to by they meyle ones as i have been happy with their other products.

What about the FEQ brand they are significantly cheaper than others, anyone bought these? The Febi ones seem to be around $80 ... haven't found any for $50

tr1cky · #8 01-14-2010, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polarisrmk

thank you for telling me this i almost was going to by they meyle ones as i have been happy with their other products.

What about the FEQ brand they are significantly cheaper than others, anyone bought these? The Febi ones seem to be around $80 ... haven't found any for $50

Did you go for the FEQ Upper Control Arms? This is one of my next projects.

polarisrmk · #9 01-14-2010, 07:49 PM

I did go for the FEQ uppers .... simple install took me all of 20 min a side..... discovered some rust under my battery so i took care of that while i was in there.