Another pictorial - Changing W124 4Matic front lower ball joint. (4Matic only)

[pwogaman]

My front left ball joint began squeaking badly. Here is what is I did to replace it.

Safety first, block the rear wheel.



Jack up front end and support under both lower control arms so there is car weight pressure on the coil springs. Lift both sides so you can turn the wheels while working on the project.




Do not put support under the ball joint like in this picture.



Remove ball joint nut and bolt on steering knuckle (I found it helpful to remove the turn stop with a 17mm wrench, so I could get to the ball joint nut on the steering knuckle with a straight extension).



Note turn stop is removed in background of this picture.



Remove three 19mm bolts and one 19mm nut which retain the ball joint housing to the lower control arm.



Install in reverse using blue thread lock. I put in a "gently used" one from a parts car pictured on the right here. This is an option only when you the ball joint does not have to be pressed out for removal. I cleaned it up and repacked the grease. It might not last as long as new, but the price was right.



I found it easier to install the replacement on the lower control arm first and then to install it to the knuckle. I needed to jack the lower control arm from under the ball joint to get it to seat in the knuckle (sorry no picture).

CAUTION - MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT PULL THE FRONT AXLE OUT OF THE INNER TRIPOD JOINT. A ROLLER COULD FALL OFF ALLOWING THE NEEDLE BEARINGS TO FALL OUT WITHIN THE BOOT. YOU WILL HAVE TO REMOVE THE AXLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.

Here is a picture of a new one for reference.



The part numbers are 124 333 07 27 and 124 333 08 27. I forget which is right and which is left.