Heard the tell-tale creaking of a bad ball joint (occasionlly while the car was driving along, definitely when turning the steering wheel). Set an appointment to get it looked at, then didn't didn't drive it for ten days or so. When I drove it to drop off the car, no creaking was to be heard. The tech got it up on the lift, inspected everything, and could see no signs of a bad ball ball joint. So I went and got the car. After a half hour of driving, the creaking returned.

Is this consistent with the early stages of a ball joint going bad? If the creaking is intermittent, can I let it go for a while....wait till it's consistently symptomatic? No much the tech can do if he hears no creaking and everything looks fine.

Thanks.

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 154k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 172k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

It would be helpful if you would tell us what vehicle you are talking about.

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Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!

1991 300D

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 154k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 172k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

Take a look yourself. Pull it up on some ramps and inspect the grease boots.

__________________
1983 240D 3.0T 4-speed manual, now sold

1989 Subaru GL Wagon 5-speed Touring Edition

As I indicated in my original post, it was just inspected...everything looks fine.

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 154k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 172k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

Drive it up on ramps and get a can of WD40 with a "straw" nozzle and even if the "boots" look good, chances are there is a leak, and WD40 will get in there. Try and spray all around the boot. That will keep them quiet for a while - depending on how much rain you run through, maybe quite a while

__________________
Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!

These are a bear to do yourself but not impossible. My total cost was 175 including parts and alignment, again my labor. I was quoted $850 at the stealer (search the site on the DIY and have adult beverage ready for the after party) I delayed doing mine and it cost me a couple of badly and unevenly worn tires because of the cranky old joints.

I have pulled back the rubber cover on them & refilled with good EP grease. As long as they are not loose it appears to work.

__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

As layback40 said.
They also sell needle attachments for Grease Guns and a Cheap Syrnge for Injection Meat during food preparation would work.
Do not stick through the boot but pull the Boot up and stick the needle under it and inject the Grease in.

If something happens to the Boots they may be sold separatly but you would need to press off the ball Joint to install a new Boot.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I should have put emphasis on "yourself." The shop had a look at my mum's honda civic when it was squeaking and "inspected" the suspension, but they failed to notice the damaged grease boot on the tie rod.

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1983 240D 3.0T 4-speed manual, now sold

1989 Subaru GL Wagon 5-speed Touring Edition