Hi Group,

It's time now that I do what I put off for almost two years. For the life of me I can't seem to find the DIY info and pics that I remember seeing in the past that describes step by step how to change out front ball joints on a 98 ML320, Or was it the rear ball joints that I've seen DIY info on replacing?! (I just thought it would be easy to locate when needed)

Does one have or know of the links to this info?

Thanks a bunch, in advance,

Does this help?
Anybody DIY their lower ball joints?

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Behind every great man is a great woman. Behind every great woman is a great behind.

Excellent!! Thanks.

Ooops, forgot, what is the typical time to replace say the lower front ball joint, experienced and layman?

Sorry, I haven't done any ball joint repair. I was just bored so I sleuthed the thread for you.

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Behind every great man is a great woman. Behind every great woman is a great behind.

experienced? maybe half hour per side, layman...depends on tools available...

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

Thanks John

Johnhef,
I assume the 1/2 hour per side estimate is based on leaving all steering knuckles/wheel carriers on the vehicle. Can all four ball joints be removed and installed without use of a stationary press? My question is RE early 1998 ML320 (W163) model. The WIS shows the procedure involving removal of the knuckles (front) and wheel carrier (rear) from the vehicle. It would be great if this is not necessary.
Thanks,
Ken

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2014 E250 Bluetec 4-Matic
2014 GL350 Bluetec 4-Matic
1996 Chevy Tahoe 4 x 4
2009 ML350 (sold)
2005 SLK350 (sold)
1999 E300 Turbodiesel (sold)
1998 ML320 (sold)
1991 300D 2.5 Turbodiesel (sold)

MUCH longer without experience! (Quotes below are from other threads...)

The old one did knock right out. Very easy, even with knuckle still on the car, took much less time than expected. Driving the new one in was another story.

In the end, I did have to use the nut to draw the new joint in, in combination with a hammer and a brass drift. I put the new joint in the freezer for an hour; this did not seem to help at all. Had to take the knuckle off the car to apply enough force to push the joint in and get enough torque on the nut. An impact wrench helped too. Maybe next time I'll find a shop with a press to do this for me.

Incidentally, the WIS just says "Pull in supporting joint using claw-type wrench until it abuts." They make it sound so easy! BTW 179K miles on my ML and this was the first joint to go bad; can't complain about that!

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Lenny

There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games. --Ernest Hemingway

'10 GL550/'04 BMW 545/'99 BMW 323/'98 ML320/'87 VW GTI (race)

Here is my experience.

Belle Tire said I had to replace my Lower front ball joints before they would
align my new Tires.

5 hours Labor at $75 an hour. Ball Joints were Moog at $198 each.

Online, I ordered 2 Moog ball joints for $91 delivered..
then Found a guy on Craigslist in my Hood that took $125
to replace them in 2 hours in his garage.

Savings.... Belle $771 me $216 = $555 savings.

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Steve Danville
what i did myself.
CPS
rear shocks
MAS x 3.
SparkPlugs (twice)
Fuel pump & Filter
Window switch
replaced both failed horns with Honda horns.
Cleaned ERG Tube
Oil changes
Oil consumption Fix
Brake Pads
A/C Recharge
Anti-Freeze change X 2.
Front Shocks. Monroe. $90
Mercedes Warrenty Work:
Harmonic balancer,power steering clamp. Cat converters.Drive Shaft Bearing.s
Replaced Outer Lower Tie Rods and front lower ball joints at 156,000 miles

Two ball joints in two hours? Wow that's fast! I did have to replace another one after my last post, and it was somewhat easier, but no way can I do this in an hour or two. Kudos to your repair guy.

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Lenny

There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games. --Ernest Hemingway

'10 GL550/'04 BMW 545/'99 BMW 323/'98 ML320/'87 VW GTI (race)

I did this yesterday I replaced the Front Upper Control arms this page may help for the ball joints
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w163-m-class/1559973-ball-joint-tie-rod-end-replacement.html[/URL]