Hello

As I was pulling into the driveway ,I hear this squeak. I do some investigating and it seems like the passenger side ball joint is noisy. I guess the ball joints need replacing, the boots are in great shape, no tears noticed. I read about the idea of injecting grease into the ball joints, however I think Id rather replace them, both of them.



How much would the labour be ? . A competent indy MB mech will perform this job.

Also, should I replace the swaybar bushings as well? would that tighten the
suspension a little bit?

We tend to determine the lifespan of most parts by mileage... but time/age can often be just as much a determinant.
109K may be a little sooner than you might expect to have to replace ball joints, but 10 years is about right. So don't feel bad about it, you're right on track.

Replacing sway bar bushings may not be a bad idea if you have long-term plans for this car. Look at it this way: The current bushings won't last another 10 years, so you're going to replace them at some point. Why not do it now and reap the benefits of a tighter ride for yourself, instead of adding the new parts just in time for a new owner to enjoy them. In my humble opinion, this is a good philosophy for all maintenance on the car.

Jeff Pierce

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Jeff Pierce

Current Vehicles:
'92 Mercedes 190E/2.3 (247K miles/my daily driver)
'93 Volvo 940 Turbo Wagon (263K miles/a family truckster with spunk)
'99 Kawasaki Concours
Gravely 8120
Previous Vehicles:
'85 Jeep CJ-7 w/ Fisher plow (226K miles)'93 Volvo 940 Turbo Wagon
'53 Willys-Overland Pickup
'85 Honda 750F Interceptor
'93 Nissan Quest
'89 Toyota Camry Wagon
'89 Dodge Raider
'81 Honda CB 750F Super Sport
'88 Toyota Celica
'95 Toyota Tacoma
'74 Honda CB 550F

Thanks tvpierce,

I just called my mechanic and he told me that some 94-95 W124s had ball joints that are not servicable. They are part of the lower control arm.

I called MB dealer and the parts guy said that only the E320s have the ball joints built into control arms. The E300D's , E420's have servicable ball joints.


Could anyone just confirm my findings.

Anyone, i consulted fastlane and it appears that I have ball joints indeed.


What about any other parts that i should worry about with this milage?

Ball joints can be replaced on most control arms (even those mercedes says are part of the arm) Drill out rivets and get new ball joints to fit from Adsit or other suppliers. New bolts and nuts are part of kit and are considered more than adequate. good luck Abe G

I just had balljoints replaced on my 87 300E. $480 total for parts and labor at an indep. German auto repair place, I think the 2 ball joints were around $50 each.

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2005 Mercedes C230k sport sedan, 6 speed
1987 Porsche 924S - 968-engined track car

Thanks for the info guys,

I was wondering what other parts on a W124 have a typical lifespan of 100 k/10years or so?

Well if they don't notice anything needing replacement when they do the ball joints even though the struts/shocks may not feel bad if you are going to keep it a long time they will need them sooner or later and like tvpierce said why not do a good thing that you will enjoy and not someone else. They will have the fronts half way off when they do the balljoints anyway.

You know like driving aroud with an old pitted windshield and then replacing it to sell it, and realising you should have done that for your enjoyment. hehe

Have them check your tie-rods at the same time that you do your ball joints. They are relatively cheap to replace, about $60.00 CDN per complete tie-rod, (there are two of them). Once the car is up on the lift, labour should not be more than about 1/2 to 1Hr. for both, at most.

A wheel alignment will be required.


Phil

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'95 E300 Diesel, 264,000 Miles. [Sold it]