I just had a ball joint separate.
Yikes!
Thank God I was in a parking lot, but a few minutes before, I was on the highway.
What's the deal with this?
Doesn't the strut keep the control arm up?
The control arm was pushed down by the spring and is resting on the inside of the wheel.
Also...I'm a pretty good mechanic, but is this a driveway job?
Any idea how much time this job books out at?
Thanks

Wow - Glad to read you are ok.

What kind of car where you driving anyway?

__________________
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

D'oh!
'91 300D 2.5 Turbo.

You need a press to get the new balljoint back in.

There are a bunch of threads that cover it quite well (use search function). There might even be a DIY article (check links at top of page) for this job.

__________________
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

I had this on a 63 Pontiac happen, after 70 mph ride on thruway, got off, sudden stop at light and bang, wheel folded . (many NY cabs have this problem. not a nice experience. If control arm is not damaged, you can get bolt on ball joints from Adsit for most mercedes Suggest new ones for both wheels. You still will have to have alignment adjustment after installation. You may need new ( or used control arm) Mercedes ball joints from factory are pressed in. good luck, been there, Abe G

Lack of service is the only explanation for a balljoint coming apart. These things are checked at each yearly service when done professionally. When bad its a simple task to just push in another one: see page ten: http://www.klann-online.de/englisch/Produkte/Chapter_2.pdf

If you can't have a thief professionally service your car then it would be wise to find out what is expected for service done properly. It ain't just change the oil every 5k!

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Well if that ain't the quote of the day, good one!

__________________


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