Ball joints.

[greyboy]

Hello, my car is a 1998 c180 sport estate, 120k miles. At the last MOT i had a warning about one of the lower ball joints.
Both sides are knocking over bumps so i will renew both. However i'm not sure which one it means. There is an upper one which is part of the upper wishbone, then a lower one which is double-ended then the lowest one is actually a track rod end.
Does anyone have any ideas? I could always change the lot as they aren't expensive from Eurocar parts. I have changed ball joints on previous cars is there any inherent problems with the c180?

 

[BlackC55]

They are common for wearing out. I would of thought it was the lower joint as this is the MOST common. (the double ended item).

 

[greyboy]

Ball Joints Completed.

I have now fitted the new lower ball joints (double ended ones). The parts were £17 ish each from Europarts, although they sell cheaper ones, mine were Lemforders which are good quality. I fitted them at home on the drive with the car on axle stands. Took about an hour each side.
I did not have to take the brake calipers and discs off or dismantle anything else. However, i could not use the proper ball joint splitter due to lack of room, had to use the forked type which splits the rubber seal. No problem as i was renewing them. No more knocking over bumps, better steering and saved myself around £100. Result.

 

[Dieselman]

Well done greyboy..

You don't need a splitter at all, just a good whack with a hammer should see them out of the taper.
As you said, access is poor.

 

[rallye_turtle]

They are common for wearing out. I would of thought it was the lower joint as this is the MOST common. (the double ended item).

Greyboy, just wondering how hard it was to install the new ball joints once the old ones were removed. Did you have to hammer them in or did you have a special tool to fit them?


Cheers

Wayne

 

[Dieselman]

Just push them in and do up the nut.

 

[greyboy]

Yes just push them in, no special tools required, then tighten the nut. The torque setting is in the Haynes manual.

 

[television]

Nice feeling when you DIY it,, as dieselman one hard bang with a hammer on the side of the ball joint housing (not the ball joint) you can spring them out.

Well done