'95 E300D: Need DIY pictorial/procedure to replace ball-joint on lower control arm - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

bhehmann · #1 12-08-2011, 01:37 AM

Good day.

Does anyone have a DIY procedure to replace the ball-joint on the lower control arm of a 1995 E300D, mine started squeaking like crazy after driving through a puddle.

Thanks in advance,
Bjoern

jonbobshinigin · #2 12-08-2011, 01:56 AM

Last I checked these later model 124 chassis have non replaceable ball joints!

Zulfiqar · #3 12-08-2011, 01:27 PM

guys in the UK have replaced their E300D ball joints like the old ones, I know for sure the E320 ones are not removeable.

Check your control arm closely, if the ball joint housing has a cross section like a pizza slice its not replaceable - if its square and chunky then it can be replaced.

Ive read on this forum some people found the joints welded to the arm, but mine are not, they look exactly like the old W124 ones.

bhehmann · #4 12-08-2011, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

guys in the UK have replaced their E300D ball joints like the old ones, I know for sure the E320 ones are not removeable.

Thanks for the reply, Zulfiqar. I am referring to the old E300D.

fdanielson · #5 12-08-2011, 09:28 PM

At the top of the page click on Resorces and choose DIY Articles. On that page scroll down to W124 ball joint replacement. if you do not need to replace your tie rods you should unbolt the bracket that the tie rod attaches to from the spindle instead of popping the end out with a pickle fork. The factory service manual is a big help also. Make sure to clean and put locktite on all of the bolts that had it on there. The hardest part of doing mine was removing the bolts that held the ABS sensor on. I ended up first carefully heating them with a propane torch and then placing a punch in the center of the allen recess and whacking the heck out of it with a three pund hammer before they would break loose. Since I didn't have access to the sealing wax used to seal the seam in the spindle I filled it with a dab of roofing tar since I figured that would do a good job of protecting against corrosion. the Harbor Freight ball joint press will work if you are persistent. I have some pictures of it in use.

Oracle12345 · #6 12-08-2011, 09:42 PM

the ball joints are a press out/press in operation. Fastlane sells the ball joints for $25 a piece so no it you dont have to replace the whole control arm. If need to get a ball joint removal tool or bring it to someone who has a press and they will be out in no time.

bhehmann · #7 12-09-2011, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdanielson

At the top of the page click on Resorces and choose DIY Articles. On that page scroll down to W124 ball joint replacement. if you do not need to replace your tie rods you should unbolt the bracket that the tie rod attaches to from the spindle instead of popping the end out with a pickle fork. The factory service manual is a big help also. Make sure to clean and put locktite on all of the bolts that had it on there. The hardest part of doing mine was removing the bolts that held the ABS sensor on. I ended up first carefully heating them with a propane torch and then placing a punch in the center of the allen recess and whacking the heck out of it with a three pund hammer before they would break loose. Since I didn't have access to the sealing wax used to seal the seam in the spindle I filled it with a dab of roofing tar since I figured that would do a good job of protecting against corrosion. the Harbor Freight ball joint press will work if you are persistent. I have some pictures of it in use.

Thanks for the info. Before removing the control arm, what precautions need to be done, ie; do I need a spring compressor to remove the coil-springs? that's why I'm looking for some kind of procedure before taking apart the suspension.

Regards,