400E Ball Joints - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

emerydc8 · #1 11-21-2008, 09:11 PM

I was looking into replacing lower ball joints on my 1993 400E, so I looked at the Mercedes EPC to get a part number. To my surprise, the EPC does not show a separate ball joint for the 400E (124.034)--just the 500E (124.036).

I went to the dealer and talked to the parts manager, who confirmed that I cannot purchase separate ball joints for the 400E. A tech subsequently confirmed this. Also, when I look up 400E ball joints at Fastlane, there is no such part--only the entire lower control assembly. But there is a 500E balljoint on Fastlane.

Anyone have any idea why the 400E does not allow individual ball joint replacement?

babymog · #2 11-22-2008, 12:15 AM

Not your answer but, ... you might as well do the bushings also, and the complete control arm is a fantastic way to do it.

emerydc8 · #3 11-22-2008, 04:51 AM

At $275 per side, I think I'll wait a while.

TimFreeh · #4 11-22-2008, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emerydc8

Anyone have any idea why the 400E does not allow individual ball joint replacement?

At some point, I think it was the 94-95 model year, they switched to a ball joint that is not serviceable. As you have discovered you have to replace the entire control arm if the joint goes bad.

I'm not really sure why they made this change, if I had to guess I'd say that somebody figured out they could save 10 cents per ball joint if they made it non-replaceable, or maybe they thought they could make more $$$ down the line since whoever the poor sap was that owned the car in 2008 would have to pony up $275 for an entire control arm assembly instead of $28 for a ball-joint.

On the upside IIRC the new control arms come with new bushings already installed - so you have that going for you... which is nice.

emerydc8 · #5 11-22-2008, 04:53 PM

Thanks. I figured it was something like that.

Chris Bell · #6 11-23-2008, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emerydc8

At $275 per side, I think I'll wait a while.

Pssssst..you can get them for $178 at ********.
http://www.***************/search/product.aspx?sid=tciqfgbn5vihlnr4zsxbg155&makeid=800016@Mercedes&modelid=1194656@400E&year=1993&cid=27@Suspension%20System&gid=7536@Control%20Arm%20%26%20Ball%20Joint%20Assembly

emerydc8 · #7 11-23-2008, 05:02 AM

Is it possible to change this control arm without a spring compressor? Perhaps hanging the car from the center bar so the wheels hang down and unload the springs. How loaded are those springs even with the front wheels hanging there off the ground?

Anyone?

babymog · #8 11-23-2008, 05:05 PM

It's too dangerous, can't be done.

Does this cover my liability?

But if you were stupid enough to try, like me, ... you'd find it is possible.

The springs have a substantial amount of force with the suspension fully extended, even with the swaybar disconnected and the ball-joint disconnected. Seemed better to leave the ball-joint connected and disconnect the inner-end of the control arm while it's on a jack, and lower it until the spring is free, then remove the ball-joint.

Much much easier to do with a spring compressor, even an external one to just contain the spring as you lower the suspension, saves time also.

So yeah, one could make it work without, if he had to.

Andras · #9 11-23-2008, 05:51 PM

When you are replacing the LCAs prepare to also replace some other relatively inexpensive parts: ball joint bolts and nuts, spring shims, eccentric bolts, and possibly sway bar bushings. Also inspect your spring perches. See my thread: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=236457

emerydc8 · #10 11-24-2008, 04:23 AM

Thanks for all the replies. That is an interesting idea--to leave the balljoint connected and simply put a floor jack under the inside of the control arm and lower it after pulling the bolts out.

It's amazing what can be done with a floor jack and ingenuity. I used a floor jack (and a BFH) over the weekend to press in the balljoints on a Camaro after I discovered the Harbor Freight 3-in-1 balljoint tool would neither aid in removal or installation of my balljoints. At $32.95, I guess you get what you pay for.

omegabenz · #11 11-25-2008, 03:17 AM

I bought the OEM FEBI lower control arms complete with the welded in ball joint, but the ball joints leak. Febi assures me this is a rare example, and they will replace the parts, but Id have to buy them, have them installed again, and have the car realigned.

Im going to buy some OE ones when the time comes and send them their OEM ones back.

Yeah, but OE are about $475 EACH!!!

emerydc8 · #12 11-25-2008, 05:26 AM

My dealer wants $575 per side for the control arms.

Andras · #13 11-25-2008, 09:17 AM

I paid $220 for each FEBI LCAs at my local parts store, about $200 for the spring compressor, and about $100 for other related parts. I did the work and I know it's done right. The spring compressor is mine to keep, and I learned a lot doing the job. For me this was the right path, rather than paying the dealer or somebody else.

emerydc8 · #14 11-25-2008, 04:59 PM

Where did you get the spring compressor? I know Harbor Freight has them, but if it's like most of their other stuff, it would probably break under tension.

Andras · #15 11-26-2008, 11:39 AM

I got the spring compressor from eBay. There is a seller called El Paso Tools, which is none other than Baum Tools' eBay operation. The tool (924-0231EP) is a replica of the original German tool that costs about $1000. Baum sells a tool for shops for "everyday use" and this tool for "enthusiasts". A Baum rep told me over the phone that the shop tool is made of better materials. The shop Baum tool (924-0231) costs $700. Although I never saw the shop tool, I would bet anything that the two tools are identical, sold at two different prices. It would probably be not feasible (or possible) for Baum to make two different tools, one of better material than the other.

Harbor Freight sells some great and some poor quality stuff. They do not sell a spring compressor that will work for this job, regardless of quality. It is a special tool.