Ball Joints

[dokalj]

Hi everyone,

I was looking back through a Mercedes invoice and found that my car needed new Ball joints at the front, steering rack gaitors and track rod ends replacing. This was 3yrs ago and I do not believe they have been changed as I do not have any paper work.

Could the MB Specialist I went to on the weekend be right about the ball joints failing?

Does this sound expensive, how much estimated to carry out?

Jdokal

 

[grober]

Would help if you told us your year and model? Whatever the parts are relatively cheap and pattern parts are available. Labour costs are higher but this type of work can easily be tackled by most competent garages/specialists. Some models have replaceable ball joints, but some require the entire wishbone is renewed which is more expensive. The car will probably need tracking afterwards which will add to the cost. Front ball joints are a safety critical component since failure can lead to suspension collapse and loss of control. If this happens at speed----------??

 

[BlackC55]

I Think its am ML.

The ball joints on them are a pain and quite difficult if you don't have the right gear. They are at least 2 hours labour per side.

 

[dokalj]

Hi all,

Thanks for getting back, I am based in Greater London towards Watford. Yes BlackC55 is right the vehicle is a 2003 ML270 CDI. I have owned it for around 18 months. Therefore I do not know if the car is behaving bad because it came like that it would seem. Any suggestions what to look for?

Does this seem costly? How much realistically? Lastly should I really fit genuine parts and is it essential becuase I only drive at weekends.

Wayne Gates in Harrow informed me the front and rear lower ball joints were gone.

Jdokal

 

[grober]

Here are the parts involved. Óçëû è àãðåãàòû

ML 4x4 parts will be more expensive being heavy duty. The labour costs will be high in comparison to the parts. Due to this I would recommend you use MB parts or high quality OEM parts if you can source them. You would not go far wrong entrusting the work to BLACKC55. There is a list of MB specialists here. Mercedes specialists across the UK - MBClub UK Forums

 

[BlackC55]

How bad is the play. They is a allowable tollerance on the ML's

 

[dokalj]

I am no mechanic as you all may have figured out. However I am not sure, I went to Wayne Gates MB Specialist on the weekend and he said they are all gone. I have also looked through a invoice from MB Warrington that says the front ball joints, track rod ends and steering gaitors have gone.

Any help would be appreciated.

Jdokal

 

[BlackC55]

If they say there gone get them replaced.

 

[pipehose]

IS IT wearing the tyres on inside or out side usually a sign off something being worn

 

[Gucci]

I had a quote from my Indie - though unlikely to use them since I moved away from the area - but here are some prices: What think?

B Service = £425
Ball joint each rear = £334
Ball joint each front = £249
Spark plug change = £247
Fuel filter = £155
Anti-freeze = £122

 

[dokalj]

I had a quote from my Indie - though unlikely to use them since I moved away from the area - but here are some prices: What think?

B Service = £425
Ball joint each rear = £334
Ball joint each front = £249
Spark plug change = £247
Fuel filter = £155
Anti-freeze = £122

Thanks, Which Indie? I went to Wayne Gates.

Jdokal

 

[lynall]

I had a quote from my Indie - though unlikely to use them since I moved away from the area - but here are some prices: What think?

B Service = £425
Ball joint each rear = £334
Ball joint each front = £249
Spark plug change = £247
Fuel filter = £155
Anti-freeze = £122

Jesus thats an indie price hells teeth.
£155 for a fuel filter what a bargain not.
£122 to drain rad and refill with 50/50 coolant must take all of 30 mins and less than 5 litres of anti freeze.
Bet merc dealer is cheaper.

 

[franey]

I agree, are you sure its not a Mercedes dealer in disguise?
Those indie prices are extortionate.
Complacent business approach methinks, or he just does not want to do the job?

 

[dokalj]

Would it cost less to change the wishbone as some come with the ball joints in place?

Jdokal

 

[lynall]

Try a search on here or google as you will never get it done otherwise.



Lynall

 

[dokalj]

Lynall what do I need to search for exactly?

Help please.

 

[SilverSaloon]

balljoint quote seems very excessive. MB dealer charged me £180 all in (inc vat + courtesy car) for 1 balljoint on my W124.

also the fuel filter and coolant changes are excessive. for my W124 atleast, fuel filter part is only £8 and the coolant would be about a fiver. thats a lot of labour then.! spark plugs probably a few quid each and balljoints £20 odd each. The rest is labour -! ML parts are probably more expensive, but not by that much!

go elsewhere!

 

[dokalj]

Any suggestions, I am down in Middx

 

[BlackC55]

Jesus thats an indie price hells teeth.
£155 for a fuel filter what a bargain not.
£122 to drain rad and refill with 50/50 coolant must take all of 30 mins and less than 5 litres of anti freeze.
Bet merc dealer is cheaper.

Have you ever done a fuel filter on an ML?

Very Very fiddly

 

[BlackC55]

Any suggestions, I am down in Middx

if your not happy with the previous diagnosis of the worn ball joints get a second opinion from a dealer or specilaist.

In fact I will check them for free as you are a forum member. All you have to do is get to my workshop! I will give you an honest opinion.