I know that the 126's are a bit hard to work on when replacing the lower ball joints. So I am going to take it to a mechanic when I find time in my busy schedule to get it done. He gave me a quote of about $300 to do both lower ball joints including parts. I think thats a good price... just wanted to know what sort of price ranges are around the country for this type of work. TIA!

I guess no one had a tech do it when they needed to get them replaced?

Weeeell... A friend of mine let me use his shop to do mine (both the 123 & 126). I don't remember exactly how long it took me, but I want to say that it was around 90 mins for both sides - 2 hours at the most.
So, depending on what you get charged per hour, and his markup on parts, it's probably an o.k. price.

Of course, if you had the handy-dandy tool to press in the new ones, you could do it yourself!

Good luck,

-Larry

__________________
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Those are a PITA, and you must remove the spindle to do the job -- have to figure in wheel bearing adjustment, etc.

You can use the Harbor Freight large ball joint tool if you remove the grease boot, although I'm not too hot on that, but be carefull -- you really want to use an impact wrench, not a hand wrench. We bent the tool putting one in.

$300 is about the going rate.

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!

a local trusted shop queated me 250. o i think that is around how much it should be

__________________
198? 300D ???K - Future DD
1989 300TE 285K - traded in '12
1984 300SD 186K - Sold in 08
1978 300SD 330K - Died in 05

Some one posted a pic a while ago of this very operation on the ball joint. He used a Harbor Freight ball joint press too to do it. I have to do this too.

__________________
Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

Sounds reasonable to me. If you want to know just how reasonable, get the same job quoted at a MB dealer. $1300?



Ken300D

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--------------------------
1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

Larry.. it took you an hour and a half to do both sides? I got a quote that the book says its 2 hours per side

You Really need to use the proper ball joint press to avoid possible ruining the hub. The joint is at an angle to the world and only the MBZ style tool works.
Having done it myself, using the proper tool, $300 is a real fair price. Have to R&R wheels, calipers, rotors, wheel bearings, hub, top joint, tie rod, lower joint/control arm.

Should consider changing top link rubber while there.
(Had severe corrosion happen under the rubber on the 'sway bar' end--not in a salt climate.) Had to R&R the sway bar--that was a royal PITA--took a week.

A friend who is an AMAZING M-B expert decided to challenge himself after hours the other night and asked me to clock him on my 126....exactly 43 minutes later the car was back on the ground with new lower ball joints.
Extraordinary, right tools, right shop & setup... but it gave this legendary PITA job new perspective.

Snibble,

Yes, and I was taking my time too. The best way to save time, was instead of using a spring compressor, to use a second (really really tall) jack. With the car off the ground, I placed the (really) tall jack under the lower joint and jacked it up a bit -inch or two. Then I loosened the nut on the upper joint about 1/2 an inch. Then I gave it a rap with a (really) big brass hammer, and the arm that goes to the upper joint was loose. After removing the nut, I lowered the (really) tall jack. A few raps with the (really) big brass hammer, and the lower joint separated too, I have everything in one hand. ( I skipped the part about removing any of the obvious nuts/ bolts that need to come off for this job)

Had I known in advance which size wrenches and hex bits I was going to need; and had I taken advantage of the air tools available, it would have taken me less time. Dunno about 43 mins. though ... I like to check everything 3-4 times...after all, it's my butt that's going to be in the car, and there would be nothing more embarrassing to have an accident because of a sloppy repair on my part. (really)

-Larry

__________________
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Just to give you my 2 cents worth, I have had the job done from a certified MB mechanic (independant) and he charged me $100 per side including parts. Your price is not totally out of line, but I bet if you check around, you might be able to save yourself $50-100.