There should be a torque value on the CD for the ball studs. I dimly recall removing the plastic pieces when I did my 380 - I think that they keep the oil feed holes clear.

Steve B did a post where he described how they compressed new balls studs in a vice before installation to be sure that they got a quick and accurate pre-tension measurement. You might poke around for that post.

You were planning to use the special tool to pre-tension the new ball studs, weren't you?

__________________
Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe