How best to get this ball joint together
 

So everything is moving along real nicely and then I get stuck on getting the outer lower ball joint connected to the steering knuckle[emoji37]. Anyone care to lend a poor fellow a secret?

The floor jack doesn't seem to be doing it. What shall I do, what shall I do? Thanks

Dalehttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f7d6de5eec.jpg

Did you widen the gap with a large screw driver/chisel before attempting install?

I also coat both ends with anti seize.

Jono

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No sir....[emoji58]

Thanks for that tip I should have thought of [emoji106]

Dale

:):)

Jono

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it helps to keep the wheel hub pointing forward, and just a smidge of levering it will allow the spindle to drop on the ball joint - making sure the whistle notch on it is aligned with the bolt hole.

those look like new control arms but not lemforder joints, the lemforder joints come with a white plastic boot.

btw when replacing these balljoints I remove the brake, hub and shield to get plain and clean access to the balljoint - that way any levering can be done from any angle.

Another tip is I usually do these with the spring out then put the spring in with the merc compressor tool. If you do not have one available you can do it by unbolting the strut top to put the spring back in. I find that fighting the spring and working around the jack makes slotting the ball joint into the knuckle a real pain.

odd, I have done about a dozen W124/201 ball joints and never had to fight it. I just plop the whole damper/knuckle assembly on the ball joint and it just slides in. Once tight I spray with some homebrew cavity wax made with beeswax to prevent rust.

no spring compressor used, I just let the lower arm rest on a jackstand.

I wonder if you have less rust there. I've had to fight it on all my 124s.

Sometimes more is less
 

Having done more than a couple of these jobs on both 124 and 201 cars, I do it a bit differently precisely because of this issue. The stud has to line up near perfectly to get things together correctly, that can be a real pain sometimes. It sounds like more to do up front but it often works out to be less in the long run.

I free the entire wheel carrier up. Disconnect the ABS sensor where it meets up in the engine compartment, dismount and hang the caliper. Disconnect the brake pad sensor wiring and the ABS wiring from the clips holding them to the shock. Un-bolt the three fasteners that attach the shock to the wheel carrier.

That will allow the shock to swing out of the way and with that done the wheel carrier to swing downward and outward giving good access to the bolt securing the wheel carrier pinch fixture to the ball joint's stud. That way the bolt can removed AND whatever force might need to be applied to get things apart. That mechanical connection is strong, tight and here in the rust belt can be corroded in place. And impact gun can be used to get the bolt loose and removable if needed.

Once that's accomplished the stud can be very solidly stuck in the pinch fixture of the wheel carrier. If so, a pickle fork can then be used to force the stud out of the fixture some times. I have a small tool that mounts to the wheel carrier and forces a wedge into the cut of the pinch fixture and thereby spreads the pinch. (https://www.ebay.com/itm/A-711-Hub-Clamp-Spreader-Tool-Ball-Joint-Shock-Strut-Steering-Knuckle-ASTA-TOOLS/222660647377?epid=1978636676&hash=item33d79bd9d1:g:3hcAAOSwJ41Zzj9g:rk:11:pf:0) I used to use a large cold chisel placed and hammered into the pinch cut to spread the pinch, until I witnessed another wrench doing the same thing probably too energetically and one side of the pinch fixture broke off.

Now I use the wedge tool on the pinch to get things apart and then leave it in place so it's easier to get things back together.

With the wheel carrier off the stud, R&R the ball joint or the LCA. Then you can rotate the stud to line the cut-out and tilt the stud outwards. With the stud in that position it is much easier to see what's going on, if things are lined up and you can much easier manipulate the wheel carrier into position to get it lined up on the stud.

Once the wheel carrier is on the stud I remove the wedge tool from the pinch fixture. Use a tapered punch to move the stud's cut-out into perfect alignment. Install a new MB pinch bolt, pack the pinch cutout with the thickest grease you've got. I live in the rust belt I always replace the pinch fixture bolt with an original MB bolt, small insurance for a very critical fastener in a very critical installation. Permatex Never-Seize on the ball joint stud and inside the pinch fixture.

Now you can sort of fold the wheel carrier into the upright position, compress the shock upwards and get the ears on the shock in position onto the wheel carrier and get the through bolt installed in place. The two threaded holes for the short 19 mm bolts below should be lined up now as well.

Get the fasteners torqued to specs, wiring reconnected, caliper reinstalled and you're good to go.

I usually put a spring compressor in place just tightened enough to take it's tension off the LCA, BUT I have done this task with the LCA blocked underneath assuring that the block you use is tall enough to allow the ball joint removal tool to get in position to allow the removal and installation of a new joint.

In this situation it's probably not worth it to take anything apart you'll just have to wrestle things into alignment in order to get things back together.

That's why and how I decided to do this R&R the way I do, I've been there and done that; but luckily I had the vehicle on a lift along with another pair or two of hands and pry bars that helped get things aligned in order to get things back together.

Oh yeah, KROIL on the fasteners for a couple days usually makes every suspension job a bit easier. You've really got to tug on those large suspension fasteners sometimes, a little lube makes life easier.

Cars that have lived in the rust belt, will make one a believer!!!!

not as much as the rust belt, just some light surface rust at most.

On some W124 I replaced the joints I found a small shim in the pinch fixture, it was shaped perfectly too. I just install it back and torque it down.

To seal that pinch cavity, you should try some fluid film or some homebrew cavity wax or actual cavity wax. A generous coating 2 or 3 times makes it really packed.

I do nearly the same job you mention, but with a difference, I remove the brake and hub - then remove the whole strut assembly and spindle. That way I refresh the bearings too, usually the grease is toasted too.

Thanks guys for all your help/advice, it has helped.

This wax sealant that is referred to, is there a recipe here on the forum or will one of you share yours? I have some bees wax, but not sure what else it might need. Do I simply melt it and figure out a way to get it poured into the pinch gap? First time doing this job, hence the questions[emoji851]

Dale

I never got around to making up my own recipe but for other purposes I've seen people melt paraffin and then add to it Vaseline, depending on the ratio you can get the viscosity you need somewhere between the two original substances.

On that principle maybe beeswax melted and a suitable oil added in order to soften the wax to the extent it's sticky and even tacky. I've seen arborist grafting wax that would bee a good consistency. Warming the area would probably help a bit. Hopefully someone who has actually don this will share their family recipe.

Mercedes probably has a spec'd material just for this application somewhere in its database!

cavity wax that is a good idea. Yeah the way you do it is a good opportunity to get something often neglected up to snuff most efficiently.

How best to get this ball joint together
 

I hate not having a plan for the wax as I'm anxious to get it back together! I did get the ball joint to button up but that is after I wedged a medium size flat head screwdriver into the slit and pried it open a smidge. Also turning the steering forward as someone suggested seemed to help. Before these adjustments, I was also having trouble getting the pinch bolt past the "whistle-notch". Once the knuckle dropped right down onto the ball joint, it slid right through.

I had ordered the knock-off version of the Mercedes spring compressor from eBay about a month ago and I'm actually pleased how well it worked for this job! It was a bit unnerving but I took my time and didn't hurry through the process and all worked very well. It was a tool well worth the $45 I paid for it (that's another story [emoji6]).

My tie rod end was suppose to be here today but failed to show so hope it arrives tomorrow so I can do that and get it off the jack stands and take it for a test drive! Any tips on the passenger side tie rod assembly would be welcome as it's a first time job for me as well [emoji846]

Dale

This stuff is a good protectant, and will quiet your garage door rollers at the same time:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Clopay-Synthetic-Pro-Lube-for-Garage-Doors-4128043/202794367

turn the wheel all the way left so the idler arm is extended towards the passenger side and easy to get some meaty tools on, like boss grade hammers, you will need to counter the idler arm boss when striking with a hammer, otherwise the arm will just swing away.

Or just use a pickle fork and maul it out.

This works for 210 tie rod ends and ball joints - https://m.harborfreight.com/3-4-quarter-inch-forged-ball-joint-separator-99849.html

HF website has a 20% of coupon today through Sunday.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

I actually have one I got from AutoZone on their rental program that I haven't returned yet. Not sure what the time deadline if any...[emoji851]

Thanks
Dale

DONE!

What a difference, no more squeaking, creaking noises!

I figured out how to seal the pinch bolt slit. I have a stick of beeswax and I took my map gas and carefully hearted the casing around the slit then took three wax and rubbed across the crack leaving deposits of the wax then reheated gently and it flowed into the crack. Filled it up nicely. Hope it does the trick [emoji41]

Dalehttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...da2db28711.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ac99a0e7f9.jpg

Why is there a washer under the nut? - Im sure the factory hardware is a flanged nut with locking serrations on it.

Reason to say is that the washer is bowed (more in a bellville washer shape) - this is not exactly a safe situation. If you do want to use it this way then get a proper 10.9 grade washer there.

btw - nice on the wax, the homebrew cavity wax I use also builds up like this. Works super good as a proper sealing wax and its very long life too.

How best to get this ball joint together
 

Hahaha! The washer. I very possibly have it 'wrong' since I was told that this washer was the "new" configuration. The fellow that took the order originally from me was not available when I went to pick it up and the lady that waited on me was not sure about it but simply passed along the info about the new configuration.

I only put it on the only way I "thought" was proper. Please, enlighten me. [emoji846]

Dale

BTW: Did you share your recipe for the wax formula? Or did I miss it?

The recipe I use for making homebrew cavity wax is.

half a lb of beeswax (cheap one)
half a gallon of odorless mineral spirits.


grate the wax into a bucket of spirits and let it sit, stir to dissolve completely, make sure its thin enough to apply easily.

thats it.

You can use a garden sprayer to spray it, or just paint it on if you have full access to a panel.

Thanks for sharing. At present, I like my way better for a couple reasons: 1. It's already done! 2. It was a very quick procedure. 3. The wax is just that, wax, there's nothing else combined with it that could over time cause it to leach out (not sure).

I will be keeping an eye on it to be sure there's no developing issue.

BTW - I have been anxious to hear back from you regarding your statement regarding the 'safety' of the washer I received from Mercedes. I made a call to the parts Dept and asked the parts manager (who actually took the order and placed it for me) about this concern. He asked me to send him the picture that I posted here on the forum and that he would take it to the senior mechanic in the service dept. to get his take on it. He called me back to tell me that he didn't see anything out of the ordinary that would cause him to fear any safety issue. So, I feel better about that, but would still be interested hearing your theory [emoji846]

Dale

My concern is that anytime a washer is being bowed in - the spread of force is not even, This happens when a weaker washer is used. a 10.9 grade wont do this. It will retain its shape and be in proper tension under that nut. Specially on a W124 - as the design of the suspension is a bit faulty, that balljoint is under a constant pulling (separation) force from the spring on the control arm.

Just keep an eye on this - replace it with a 10.9 washer from an autoparts store if you find it misshaped further.

Sir, THIS washer IS a MERCEDES part. It is NOT "mishapened"! The way it appears in the photo is exactly the way it was pulled from the plastic bag it arrived in. It is the correct part that supercedes the original designed pinch bolt setup. With that said, I am going to have to trust the MB engineers, that they have reason to make this change [emoji846]