Lower ball joint inspection
 

I have been told that my E420 needs new lower ball joints. It has 90K miles and is not driven hard. Does anyone have a good way for a fairly good DIYer to inspect the ball joint to back up the diagnosis of an independent mechanic?

You need to take a hytdraulic jack and place it under the lower control arm. Jack up the car. SO at this point you will have one side of the car up in the air, with the wheel free. Then take a long prybar or board, thenpry up on the wheel. You want something long so you can get leverage. If yopu feel and pop or movement, then the b/joint is bad. Let me know if you have any questions.
I wouldn't THINK that you would need b/joints yet, but who knows. You also want to inspect the boots. If any of the b/joint boots are torn, then the joint is bad or will be very soon.
Thanks
David