94 E320 ball joint
 

MB dealer has advised me that the loud squeak on the right side is a bad ball joint, (203,000 mi.). Not that I don't trust them but he says that I must replace the entire control arm, ($700). Is this true, should I do them both, can I have a less toney shop do this work for less? (4XAlignment: $129.00!). $$$ saving suggestions appreciated. Thanks, Cons

No
 

No it's not true. I just did my ball joints (both sides) The job is very easy if you know how to spin a wrench. Jack the car up. Put another jack under the spring. Just lightly put tention on the spring. Then take the brake calb. off and then take the ABS sensor off, then take the strut off. There is a bolt holding the the whole wheel assembly on to the lower ball joint. Take that off. Then take a ball joint fork and split it and pull it off. Now the fun starts. Take the rubber cover off the ball joint. I also took off the front sway bar, I didn't take off the tie rod, I left it on, I had plenty of room. Now you heat the heck out of the area the ball joint is seated. I used and asediling torch (sorry for the spelling), when it started glowing orange, I wacked it with a 2 LB hammer and pop came right off. I have a ball joint press, which looks like a large C clamp with a few attachments that go over the new ball joints and I pressed them in. The whole job took about 45 min per side. While I was there I did the top strut support mounts, Got them cheap on ebay, and they were Beilsteins too. Also did the brakes. I use to be a mechanic so it's a little more easy for me, but a very easy job. (Oh I also had the creeking noise when I was driving slow or making a turn at slow speed or stopped.) Now no noise car rides great and all is well. I didn't need an alignment because I didn't touch the tie rods. Good luck I hope this helped.
Rob

PS my car is a 124 91 300D 2.5
PPSS always do them both if one went the other one is going to go very soon

I believe with the 94 - 95 models you have to replace the control arm which has the ball joint as part of it. It does come with new control arm bushings.

Haasman

Before you follow occb2's procedure, make sure your life insurance policy is up to date.

Ridiculously dangerous to risk that spring popping off. Use a proper spring compressor.

Steve

Most W124 chassis with M104/119 engines do NOT have replacable ball joints!

Welcome to Forum Cons. Unfortunantly the '94 - '95 E320 ball joints are part of the lower control arm - been down that road. $700 is reasonable for the job.

Yep I learned the hard way. I just replaced my control arms on my E320 with 240k miles. I bought mine from Phil here and replaced them myself. It wasnt hard as long as you have a spring compressor. :)
Chris

It is a common error to equate 124 parts... late 124s have a ton of parts that are not compatable with earlier vintage, and the Tech advances are completely different .
Never assume ...

The good news is that you can get a new set of control arms on Ebay for a very reasonable price.

Link

The bushing kit alone would cost you $50 and $30 or so for 1 ball joint. You do the math.

Good Luck :D

**Edit** Just realized the E 320 is not on the fitment list. I guess you are out of luck or maybe it will fit.

Hello PEOPLE, buy the part from the people who SUPPORT this site!!!! Phil has the control arms at a VERY reasonable price and they are made by Bilstein. WAKE UP!!!!!! :mad:
Chris

94 E320 ball joint/thanks
 

Thanks for all of the solid responses to my query. This is my 2nd 94 E320. I sold the last one at 175,000. but I am taking this one the distance, (300+.)
My guy Larry has installed the control arm for -$500. and we are doing the rear ones too,(clunky). We already did the struts, tierods & swaybar so smooth sailing to 300,000. BTW, what is the record miles for the 3.2 six? This one had oil changed every 3500 in the same shop. I got it @ 175,000 and started in with Mobil 1. Very strong engine. Thanks again. Good forum.

Cons

94 E320 wagon black-on-black leather, 204,000
02 Passat 1.8 T wagon 60,000
89 Peugeot 505 red 2.2 Turbowagon 189,000 (fast)
78 Chevy pick-up w/ Olds 307 ???,???

Don't know the record but I've got 263,000 miles on my '94 wagon and counting on it to reach 500,000. Don't forget about transmission services every 30,000 miles.