124 Ball Joint replacement

[tjamesbo]

I have a very loud squeeking now on the 124 there was a bit of a squeek then it went now its back with a vengeance I'd be worried even driving it to a garage I thought it was a balljoint but they have both been done and the one now groaning was done 3yrs / 25-30K ago so at first squeek I thought no cant be that so sooon? Anyway up on the jack and stands and it seems to be coming from the wheel end by the Ball joint not inboard by the steering Box / column .
So I am thinking I might as well do it but have been scared off a bit by the stories about how to remove and more particularly to reinsert ( the Bush )
I am therefore reconsidering and wondering should I replace the Whole arm ( concerns here about bush alignment and cost and the camber / bolts that adjust the Geometry) at the moment cant make my mind up I do not want particularly to take it to an indie I'd like to sort it myself as with 2 other mercs I might as well get to know the old girls intimately because they are all here for the long haul. On the Plus side I do have the proper merc spring compressor and am likely to change track rod ends at same time and remove and check the springs . The cars at 228K now
Anyone advice after doing it ( the car is a 220 therefore does not have the welded arms/ Bush )
Thanks Guys
Boyd

 

[carat 3.6]

It's a diy job as long as you have a press strong enough to get the old joint out an the new one in. Mark the camber adjustable bolts with tipex so you get them back in the correct place.

 

[tjamesbo]

I haven't got a press what your saying is take the arm out .Therefore its off the car, then I could then take the arm and new joint and get it pressed out / new back in, either at an indie or engineering shop ?

 

[carat 3.6]

I haven't got a press what your saying is take the arm out .Therefore its off the car, then I could then take the arm and new joint and get it pressed out / new back in, either at an indie or engineering shop ?

Yes, that's the best way. Only use a genuine mercedes ball joint though, the pattern ones can wear out in under a year!

 

[rorf]

While you are there it makes sense to get the whole lower control arm with the ball joint and bushes included - makes it so much easier to do the job and also reasonably priced from Euro Car Parts.

Having the correct spring compressor makes the job a breeze.

 

[tjamesbo]

Any Tips for undoing the Clamp Nut and Bolt securing the Ball joint Pin to the steering knuckle I think the nuts about to round i am using 12 point spanners and am thinking i need to go to Hex to get a good grip on all faces cant get a hex socket on it , i suppose it needs a lot of grunt to undo
cheers

 

[carat 3.6]

Any Tips for undoing the Clamp Nut and Bolt securing the Ball joint Pin to the steering knuckle I think the nuts about to round i am using 12 point spanners and am thinking i need to go to Hex to get a good grip on all faces cant get a hex socket on it , i suppose it needs a lot of grunt to undo
cheers

A good 19mm hex socket will do it, must be a half inch drive though cos the smaller ones wont shift it.

 

[tjamesbo]

Machine Mart 240V Impact wrench £60 ............. a breeze