Failed inspection: Front ball joints - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Silber Adler · #1 10-26-2012, 11:58 AM

Just took my car in for state required inspection. They found the front ball joints loose. I looked at them and one in particular had quite a bit of play coming from the bottom of the control arm.

They quoted me 6 hours of labor plus parts.

Is it really a 3 hour job to change each one out?

Phillytwotank · #2 10-26-2012, 12:15 PM

It's not a bad DIY if you've got inclination. Hardest part is pressing out/in the ball joints themselves. Farm that part out to a shop and do the rest yourself and you can get off waaaay cheaper.

shertex · #3 10-26-2012, 12:17 PM

Not unreasonable but a bit on the high side. My indie told me 3 each side but said he'd do both for 5....then when he did them said I really got my money's worth as they turned out to be pretty difficult. Another place recently (for a different car) quoted me 2 each side.

Stretch · #4 10-26-2012, 12:18 PM

I don't know what the official "mercedes time" is but it doesn't sound unreasonable to me if they are not a Mercedes specialist. I reckon many people (myself included!) could do it quicker though...

JamesDean · #5 10-26-2012, 12:45 PM

Spring out 20min,

shock out 15min,

Rotor/Caliper out 20min

Disconnect spindle assembly from ball joint (5-10min)

Remove control arm from car (10-15)

Remove old ball joint, press in new one..(no idea..figure 30min)

Might as well have the bushing done too. That is if they have to take the arm off the car.. I've never done it before so Idk if you can do it on the car or not..

Reverse assembly..

So 2 hours in assembly/disassembly.. 1 hour of press work? Maybe?

JamesDean · #6 10-26-2012, 12:51 PM

Spring out 20min,

shock out 15min,

Rotor/Caliper out 20min

Disconnect spindle assembly from ball joint (5-10min)

Remove control arm from car (10-15)

Remove old ball joint, press in new one..(no idea..figure 30min)

Might as well have the bushing done too. That is if they have to take the arm off the car.. I've never done it before so Idk if you can do it on the car or not..

Reverse assembly..

So 2 hours in assembly/disassembly.. 1 hour of press work? Maybe?

qwerty · #7 10-26-2012, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

Spring out 20min,

shock out 15min,

Remove control arm from car (10-15)

There is absolutely no need to remove the spring, shock or control arm to replace W123 lower ball joints.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

I've never done it before so Idk...

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

1 hour of press work? Maybe?

No.

qwerty · #8 10-26-2012, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silber Adler

Is it really a 3 hour job to change each one out?

When you say "front ball joints," do you mean upper and lower? Three hours per side for both upper and lower is not at all unreasonable.

JamesDean · #9 10-26-2012, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qwerty

There is absolutely no need to remove the spring, shock or control arm to replace W123 lower ball joints.
No.

Like I said I've never done ball joints before.

Actually, I just remember the last time I had one done my shop only charged me ~$140, so 2 hours and parts.

I wasnt sure if it was something that could be done with the arm on the car or not. I would imagine it would be. So the bulk of the time would be spend removing the caliper/rotor.

JamesDean · #10 10-26-2012, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qwerty

When you say "front ball joints," do you mean upper and lower? Three hours per side for both upper and lower is not at all unreasonable.

Is the 123's suspension like the 126's where it has that upper control arm and ball joint assembly?

qwerty · #11 10-26-2012, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

Is the 123's suspension like the 126's where it has that upper control arm and ball joint assembly?

Yes.

tjts1 · #12 10-26-2012, 01:16 PM

Maybe 6 hours if they were working in the driveway with hand tools, a floor jack any no experience what so ever. More likely the mechanic's kid is going to college next year and somebody has to pay. Might as well be the sucker with the 3 pointed star on the hood. Find a good MB indi.

junqueyardjim · #13 10-26-2012, 01:18 PM

I had my Indy do my upper control arms, bushings and ball joints yesterday. He doesn't really enjoy working on my 240D but he is getting used to it. I consider him a very good mechanic. He had never done this job before, got right into it and had both sides done in an hour and twenty minutes. Then it took 40 minutes to do the computer alignment. In at 9;00 AM, out at 11:00 AM, all for under $200.00. Good shop (small), good tools, good attitude all at Pyramid Alignment, 96th St at I-465 and Michigan. Two mechanics, both named Paul, I use the one called PK. You do need an appointment. If NAPA or Autozone don't have your parts, you better bring your own.

qwerty · #14 10-26-2012, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junqueyardjim

He doesn't really enjoy working on my 240D...

Evidently, you don't either. It's great that you have something in common.

Quote:

Originally Posted by junqueyardjim

I had my Indy do my upper control arms, bushings and ball joints yesterday.

In other words, your upper control arms were replaced. Is that what you really mean?

SD Blue · #15 10-26-2012, 01:55 PM

Find another shop. The steering knuckle is all that needs to be removed to change the lower ball joints. I did this job on a W126, which is very similar except for the shape of the knuckle itself, in about 4 hours. This was a first time, floor jack, gravel driveway and taking it to a shop that had the special press needed for the W126. There is no double firewall on the W123 so I'm betting the uppers are even easier than the W126. On the W126 the uppers are barely an hour job for a first-timer for both sides.

This is not a difficult job for a DIY