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#1
04-08-2010, 09:31 AM
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Suspension Component Wear: To What Extent Function of Age?
On my 92 300D, I didn't have to do my lower ball joints until about 175,000 miles when it was 14 years old. But, on my 91 300D with only 88,000 miles, they're starting to creak...but, as it rolled off the line in Stuttgart in 1990, it is a 20 year old car.
So, do some suspension components tend to go bad "early" because of age (due to rubber drying out, etc.)? I'm mildly disappointed that I'm having to do some of this work at relatively low mileage...but perhaps it's to be expected. 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 
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#2
04-08-2010, 09:39 AM
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it's possible the 88K on the 90 were harder miles than the 175K in the 92.
it's also possible sitting outside in the sun may have hardened the rubber boots, letting moisture in, and subsequent driving damaged quicker than the constant motion of the miles of the 90...
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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!
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#3
04-08-2010, 10:12 AM
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Twenty year old grease just doesn't hold up like it used to. How are the boot condition. What about adding grease to the bearings. I know they have needle like pins to use for grease less ball joints that go through the rubber. If they just squeak and there's no play I'd grease them and go.
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92 300D 2.5L OM602 OBK #59
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#4
04-08-2010, 10:18 AM
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Quote:
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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
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#5
04-08-2010, 10:27 AM
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IF the boots are not torn, grease is a good repair technique.
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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!
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#6
04-08-2010, 04:20 PM
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As vstech said if the boots are in not torn. And there is no play in the ball joint then grease and go. Ball joints do wear out, check for play and check tire wear. As they wear you get more and more play. Adding grease ensures they move smoothly and wear slower.
Here's some general info: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/ml-gl-g-wagen-r-class-unimog-sprinter/275054-testing-ball-joint-replacement-how-look-ball-joint-wear.html#post2442485 http://www.ehow.com/how_5472959_check-bad-ball-joints.html
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92 300D 2.5L OM602 OBK #59
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