|
|
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Balljoints are done!
Finally tackled the ball joint job today. Took about 4 hours for both and included a quick run to NAPA to have them turn one rotor while it was off.
For some reason I was intimidated by this job and put it off all summer. Did not have any issues and once I did one side the other side went even quicker. I could done the job in a shorter time but all my tools were not as conveniently located as possible. Definently 'rent' (ie FREE use) of the autoZone ball joint press. That was a snap.
__________________
Whoever dies with the most toys......Wins! 1984 300d 165k miles |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
cool - the autozone tool fit over the lower control arm as is, or did you hane to do anything special to it? Was there only one tool type available, or did you need to figure out which one of several? I really need to do this job soon
|
#3
|
|||
|
|||
It came in a case with several attachments. Basically, it looks like a heavy duty c-clamp. One end is threaded with a hex head which I used my impact wrench on. The other end was open and this was the end that I put the threaded side of the ball joint thru (I removed the boot to prevent tearing). On the impact drive side, I used one of the attachments to span the hole that I was pressing the ball joint towards. I just aligned the tool and snugged up the slack so that the ball joint was being pressed straight in and let the impact wrench do the work. I did this on the shop floor with the rotor and metal guard removed and didn't need a vice or anything. Granted, it was a tight fit and it just moved in small amounts, but it did moved and the tool was beefy enough to handle the load.
I'll try to take a pic of the tool kit tomorrow and post.
__________________
Whoever dies with the most toys......Wins! 1984 300d 165k miles |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
this is the same kit autozone has
__________________
have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
how about removal of the old joint??
__________________
Michael McGuire 83 300d 01 vw A4 TDI 66 Chevy Corsa 68 GMC V6 w/oD 86 300E |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Get new rotors and pads -- if you turned that rotor, it's under minimun thickness, MB rotors are disposable.
Not a bad job with that tool, but if you have access to a lathe, it's worth turning a sleeve to press the ball joint in without taking the boot off. Almost impossible to keep the grease clean with the boot off. Usually there is enough clearance to use the same tool to press the old one out (different arrangement of parts), or a vice and a 5 lb sledge and drift works fine most of the time. Once in a while you get one that is STUCK, require some more "magic" , but NEVER use an acetylene torch!!! PLEASE!!! If you get it red hot, the hole won't be round anymore, the temper will be gone, and the ball joint won't stay in..... Peter
__________________
1972 220D ?? miles 1988 300E 200,012 1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles 1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000 1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs! Last edited by psfred; 09-06-2004 at 11:33 AM. |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|