Ball joint questions. 300D - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dannym · #31 02-04-2006, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmaysob

its really easy man. try it. you will be amazed at what you accomplished

I agree again. Assemble all the right tools. A vise is almost a necessity.
It's really not a bad job. Get yourself 2 new bearing seals and repack your bearings while your in there.

Do you really need an alignment after replacing ball joints?

Danny

Austin85 · #32 02-04-2006, 11:48 AM

I need it done. and to save the money I am willing to give a try.

1) I do not have a lift. I would use jack stands. Is it still easy?

2) If so, please list all tools needed and where best place is to get them.

...and anything else worth doing like repacking bearings, and what's necessary to do these too. I just did the front brakes a couple of months ago.

Much thanks!!!

kmaysob · #33 02-04-2006, 01:25 PM

jack stands are fine. thats how i did mine. you will need to get the tool like dannym posted and rent a ball joint press from autozone.other than that all you will need is the basic tools

dannym · #34 02-04-2006, 08:49 PM

Follow these instructions and you'll be just fine:
http://207.210.95.34/~boostd/FrontSuspension/balljoint/

Rent the press and a pickle fork from autozone. I believe they also rent that tool I pictured in an earlier thread.
FYI you really have to hammer that pickle fork pretty hard to get the ball joint to seperate from the LCA.
Also the tie rods and uper ball joints have a hex key in the tips to hold them in place when tightening down. Run the bolt down far enough so you don't ruin the keyway. You'll understand when you see it.
Put the new joint in the freezer overnight and use some dry lube or light oil (3 in 1, or WD-40) when pressing the new joint in.

Repacking the bearings is easy:
http://207.210.95.34/~boostd/Maintenance/Bearing/
some people say you can reuse the old seal. Personally I find it a lot easier if you don't have to be nice to it.

Do yourself a favor and get new seals anyway. Just in case.

Danny

Austin85 · #35 02-04-2006, 09:58 PM

Thanks. It is now on my list....

any other tips welcome.

t walgamuth · #36 02-04-2006, 11:04 PM

you ever determine that they are actually loose?

see, if you always say, well i just really want to do it up right, pretty soon you have 10k in a car that is worth 5k. so i tend to say well if i can put new boots on for $100 and get three or four years on it, what is the harm? never know, you might not own it when they wear out.

course, if they are loose, then this altrenative is out. and for me never in my life would i want to do ball joints. it is just brutally hard work. i always enjoyed the things that took problem solving and werent brutally hard.

my $.02

tom w

Austin85 · #37 02-05-2006, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

you ever determine that they are actually loose?

see, if you always say, well i just really want to do it up right, pretty soon you have 10k in a car that is worth 5k. so i tend to say well if i can put new boots on for $100 and get three or four years on it, what is the harm? never know, you might not own it when they wear out.

course, if they are loose, then this altrenative is out. and for me never in my life would i want to do ball joints. it is just brutally hard work. i always enjoyed the things that took problem solving and werent brutally hard.

my $.02

tom w

No. After reading all this, I don't even know how to determine if they are loose , and need replacing , or if it's just the boots....Believe me I have other projects, and better things to do.
thx
aa