Front Ball Joints - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ykobayashi · #1 07-06-2016, 01:02 AM

Two years ago Ray at Peninsula auto repair pressed a set out and pressed new ones in at his shop in Mountain View.

It was not smooth. He knows his way around Mercedes so I called him up to see if he had the tools. He said yes, bring the arms down (300sd). I brought them in and they pull out this international sized suitcase of C frame presses, collars and Mandrills by OTC. It looked like the mega assortment off the snapon truck. They start pressing and air wrenching with a 3/4" impact gun. No go.

They try putting it into a hydraulic press but the angles are all wrong. But we all know that here. No go.

Then Ray tells his guy to hold the arm vertically like in the redneck balljoint thread in this forum. Ray takes the biggest ball peen hammer I've ever seen and he starts whacking the bottom of the joint. His guy is freaking out begging him not to miss. After three good whacks I see the joint move 1mm. He finishes it off with an impact socket as a punch.

The second one is easier because he has the technique down. They use the c frame to drive the new ones in with the air impact driver. All done in half an hour while I'm sitting there staring at them. Ray says, how much do you want to pay me? I said two guys, half an hour, how about a C note? He nods and takes the money and I leave with my joints.

I bet he will remember the trick if you show up with the arms and tell him to get his ball peen hammer. It was worth the C note to let him do it.

Good luck. The shop is down near Google HQ.

kestreltom · #2 07-06-2016, 06:01 AM

I used a 5 lb sledge hammer and wedged the spindle carrier into a wood pile so I could hit it without hurting anyone or thing. Some people bury it in the ground. I used a large socket on top of the ball jt as a spacer to wail on.

I have done some really hard ball jt removals... but that one took the cake.

ffgb · #3 07-06-2016, 01:48 PM

Thanks, that is what I did, I unbolted the steering knuckle ball joint and dropped the suspension about another inch to pull the spring out. I am going to cut the front springs, maybe 1 coil to even the stance. After pulling the spring, it looks like you cut the bottom part because the top part of the spring has a taper at the end of the coil. Is this correct????

ROLLGUY · #4 07-06-2016, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ffgb

Thanks, that is what I did, I unbolted the steering knuckle ball joint and dropped the suspension about another inch to pull the spring out. I am going to cut the front springs, maybe 1 coil to even the stance. After pulling the spring, it looks like you cut the bottom part because the top part of the spring has a taper at the end of the coil. Is this correct????

Yes that is correct.