• The Forums are now open to new registrations, adverts are also being de-tuned.

Ball joint replacement and wheel alignment

JonnyCJ

Active Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2008
Messages
364
Location
Wirral
Car
C32 AMG
Merc are replacing the ball joints on my forthcoming CL under the warranty.

Will this affect the wheel alignment and if so will they re-align the wheels under warranty ?

Cheers

CJ
 
It is their duty to do so, but they probably will not
 
Merc are replacing the ball joints on my forthcoming CL under the warranty.

Will this affect the wheel alignment and if so will they re-align the wheels under warranty ?

Cheers

CJ

From what I am aware replacing the ball joints should not affect the wheel alignment. Its usually track rod ends that cause a problem.

Have a word with Ollie (BlackC55)...he would be able to give you an accurate answer.
 
Last edited:
Wheels-inmotion might know the answer to this one... ;)
 
Hmmm

From what I am aware replacing the ball joints should not affect the wheel alignment. Its usually track rod ends that cause a problem.

Have a word with Ollie (BlackC55)...he would be able to give you an accurate answer.

That's what I was thinking, I've asked the seller to ask Merc. so maybe they'll do it as a gesture of goodwill.
 
From what I am aware replacing the ball joints should not affect the wheel alignment. Its usually track rod ends that cause a problem.

Have a word with Ollie (BlackC55)...he would be able to give you an accurate answer.
It certainly does. Disturbing any front suspension joint, no matter how little, has an impact on wheel alignment.
 
There are 2 ball joints on the front suspension upper and lower. The upper one appears to be integral with the suspension arm whereas the lower one is replaceable in the existing arm. If either arm was removed to replace a ball joint then a suspension re-alignment would probably be necessary particularly the lower arm which has an eccentric bush-- 40 in the diagram http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GA=722.633&CT=F&cat=65N&SID=33&SGR=030&SGN=01
. If the lower ball joint was replaced "in situ" without the arm being removed then "in theory" re-alignment should not be necessary. However checking the tracking afterwards would still be desirable. In practice if the front tyres are worn unevenly due to prior suspension wear then its very difficult to set up the car properly without a fresh set of tyres .
 
There are 2 ball joints on the front suspension upper and lower. The upper one appears to be integral with the suspension arm whereas the lower one is replaceable in the existing arm. If either arm was removed to replace a ball joint then a suspension re-alignment would probably be necessary particularly the lower arm which has an eccentric bush-- 40 in the diagram http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GA=722.633&CT=F&cat=65N&SID=33&SGR=030&SGN=01
. If the lower ball joint was replaced "in situ" without the arm being removed then "in theory" re-alignment should not be necessary. However checking the tracking afterwards would still be desirable. In practice if the front tyres are worn unevenly due to prior suspension wear then its very difficult to set up the car properly without a fresh set of tyres .
I couldn't have worded your post any better.
 
Wheels-inmotion might know the answer to this one... ;)

grober had that one well under control.

I feel that any component change that involves the wheels position would require the Geometry to be checked.

With the cost of tyres you cannot afford not to.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom