83 240D How hard is it to replace an Upper Control Arm? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Carrameow · #1 09-14-2003, 11:57 PM

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When replacing the Lower Ball Joints on my 83 240D, I noticed the upper ball joint on the Control Arm flapping loosely.. is this thing hard to replace?
Where can I find a procedure?
Finally, how many hours are involved, and how extensive is the work?
Do I have to dismember he Front End?
Any special tools?

83 240D How hard is it to replace an Upper Control Arm?

psfred · #2 09-15-2003, 12:31 AM

Unbolt, press the ball joint out, insert new one, and bolt back up. Ball joint and upper control arm are a single piece, about six inches long.

Probably the easiest job on the front suspension. The only thing to watch out for is sway bar loading -- you may have to jack up one side slightly to get the bolt back into the swaybar.

However, you may actually have to replace the sway bar -- the attachment for the upper control arm is known for breaking off.

Peter

william rogers · #3 09-15-2003, 01:29 AM

Peter, You have such a broad knowledge on so many different models and seem to be able to answer the tough questions as well as anyone on this site, my curiosity has gotten the better of me as I wonder what your automotive background is.........
William Rogers......

#4 09-15-2003, 07:43 PM

Hi Peter, How about the lower control arm bushing? How long do you think that will take? Thanks...

psfred · #5 09-15-2003, 07:46 PM

Long term hacker mechanic, mostly from poverty. Amazing what you can learn from busting stuff...

I've been a gear head for 40 years, too.

First car I did serious battle with was a 1962 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 -- blast to drive but NO BRAKES!!!. Terrible car for a kid, it would go 120 mph plus but stopping was, well, entertaining.

Professional background is a PhD in Botany, currently working as a chemist.

I also read everything I can get my hands on.

Peter

william rogers · #6 09-16-2003, 03:42 AM

Peter, thank you we share the experence of the grand 88 mine was a 65 2 door hardtop also light on the binders and with a straight pipe lived up to her name The Thunder Olds,
I grew up in Ohio on a farm though we did not farm it.My father a fine gentleman chaired the compairitive lit dept. at Ohio State. I learned my humble skills repairing the damage that my brothers and I did to his cars .I carried these skills to repairing the neighboors farm equiptment witch was much eaiser and paid better than working in the hay mow.
after graduating from art school I naturly opened a machine shop,and have done many other interesting things in my years.I have now fallen back and am doing art work again if my three MB babies aren't yelling to loud and the firewood is in for the year........
William Rogers.......... Deadwood OR

psfred · #7 09-16-2003, 08:00 PM

William:

Yeah, GM made some fun cars in those days! Corvairs that rolled over at slight provecation, big H-bodies (I think, the 62 Olds 98 style) that were VERY flimsy unibodies -- I remember seeing crash test film of a 62 98 being shoved head on into a telephone pole -- car stopped when the pole hit the rear axle, a horrifying sight! Nothing there, just a single sheetmetal formed floor and roof, single sheet doorposts, etc. I've not seen one now in at least 20 years, I'm sure they have all fallen to bits! Big ol' fenders on the 59 Chevy BelAir, I swore you could cut pedestrians in half with them......

And brakes! I could lock up all four wheels on the Olds, but i couldn't STOP it. Terrifying. I still tend to slow down early and brake far sooner than really necessary from driving that car.

Peter

Hawk180 · #8 09-18-2003, 03:16 PM

I learned to drive in a 56 Caddy. Same brakes. I think the inertia of a car that size was just way too much for those little one-inch wide brake shoes. I then graduated to a 59 Ford Fairlane. Brake were no better but it would not run as fast. I guess those old tanks were just not made to run as fast as we used to.