C230 Ball Joints
 

Yesterday I took my 99 C230K into Goodyear for a realignment. They had to adjust the passenger side front wheel bearing (They are adjustable?) and suggested that I get driver side upper balljoint replaced. The wheel appeared to have some play when held and shaken at 12 and 6 o'clock. The outer edge of the passenger front tire had some wear on it. The lower ball joints on both of the front wheels were replaced in June. They quoted me a price of $225 to do the job. Does this sound reasonable? I believe the work is necessary. How often do these balljoints neeed replacing?

On another note, anyone have any experience with Hankook Winter Bear snow tires? They look like a good buy at $91 mounted.


Thanks!

Mott

Upper one? Huh. Lot's of W202 owners have had lower front ball joints replaced, but I haven't heard of many upper ones going bad.

The Hankook Ice Bear tires are popular in Canada and the Canadian specific forums I surf have lots of positive reviews. Not sure how they're different from the Winter Bear, but the Ice Bear is an H or V rated snow tire. They're not extreme condition tires like the Kuhmo KW-11 or Blizzak WS-50, compromising some winter ability to get the high speed rating.