OOPS! Ball Joints - 560SEL
 

I just did a complete front end suspension on our 1989 560SEL, using Lemsforder parts bought here at Peach Parts.

I took the car to get an oil change, and the mechanic I use for this told me the following:

"Yeah, I noticed the boots on your ball joints were flat, meaning they were dry. So I used a grease needle and shot some grease through the rubber boots into the joint. I did this to all of them. Now the boots are round and full, like they are supposed to be"

I thought these were greased for life from the factory, and you just install them. I found no where that you need to puncture the boots with a grease needle and grease these. Did I miss something, or did he just mess up my brand new ball joints, or was this a well meaning mistake with benign consequences?

If you don't mind, let me answer your question with a question; Did you take it to a guy who normally works on European stuff or was it more like a Jiffy Lube kind of place?

Also look for the needle holes and see if any is now squirting out.

He is a nice mechanic who only does my oil changes, and nothing else. I do all the other work on our cars. It's a gas station with an excellent reputation locally - actually one of the best reputations.

They only work on American cars for any repairs.

I talked to Roy Hunter about this, and the conclusion is that this was a well-meaning mistake with benign or no consequences. It didn't need to be done, nor did it do any harm. I could see a small amount of oozing perhaps....

My concern would be water or road salt entering the holes.

If good grease was injected then dont sweat it - if you are worried about salt etc, clean the boots with degreaser on a rag where the needle was used, and stick a dab of black silicone to it to cover it up.

Good idea.