94 w124 Ball joint Replacement
 

Hi all,

I'm told by my mech that the ball joint on this car can only be replace by replacing the control arm ad it is one piece...

Is this true...?

Car is a 94 E320..

Thanks!

Yep.

thanks tim...

How about the diy in the diy articles for the 89 W124... is it a different control arm.. i guess for this one...?

If the bottom of the ball-joint looks like it does in the '89 photos; somewhat flush with the bottom of the control arm, it is replaceable.

My '94 and '95 cars all have the non-replaceable type, which is angled on the bottom of the ball-joint relative to the bottom plane of the control arm.

There has been some discussion on whether there were replaceable-type ball-joints on '94/'95 cars, my belief is no, but worth looking in case I'm wrong.

<Is this true...?

Car is a 94 E320..
>

Unfortunately.

Yes, I went through the same frustration when my indy told me the same. Another reason to avoid the 94-95 E320 although they ride so well.

:( oh well... guess i'll have to return the ball joint i ordered online...

bite the bullet and dish out 280...


thanks for your help guys...!

Yikes, I am keeping that in mind if I ever buy another W124... :eek: Or I'll get one with receipts that it has been done already!

$280? I have seen them for $187 online.....

IIRC the W124 V8's (of any year) also have the non-replaceable ball joints.

It's kind of a pain in the wallet to not have replaceable joints but on the positive side the replacement control arms have new control arm bushings already installed so it does make the replacement issue quite a bit more straightforward (but more expensive) since you don't need the special tools to replace the ball joint or the tool to remove and install the control arm bushings.

You do still need a spring compressor but its a much easier job when the entire control arm is replaced.

How very irresponsible of M-B to make a 150,000mile replacement item only available as a complete control arm.

If this is your only reason for not buying the late 124, ... I'm amused.

I do have a new pair around in case any of my '94/'95 124s experience ball-joint problems when they reach 150k miles, my '87s made it to over 200k and started to creak around 250k miles.

You wouldn't be amused if you also had to replace the harness, evaporator and head gasket on a late model W124. It would make for a very expensive used car.

Evaporator wire harness and head gasket are also common failures on the M103 cars (wire harness on later M103s).

I'd be more worried about rear wheel bearings and carrier bearings than the cheaper control-arm replacement (or about spring perches on your 210).

No complaints on my end... Still love my 94 w124... :D