Lower ball joints

[area51]

I have noticed from reading the forums that some Mercedes suffer from lower ball joint problems [noisy/total failure].

Does anyone know if the a-class has similar concerns?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[lynall]

I shouldnt imagine 1, the car isnt old enough and 2 it doesnt weigh enough to wear out the joints ala 124 (very old) and 210 (getting old and rusty) models.

Just had a google a150 1200kgs (suprisingly heavy) and e430 1700kgs.


Lynall

 

[BlackC55]

I have replaced about 4 in my time. Yes they do wear and I have seem them fail at about 35k.

 

[lynall]

Wow all of 35k i wonder what will break first the joint or the coil spring!



Lynall

 

[Dryce]

Just had a google a150 1200kgs (suprisingly heavy) and e430 1700kgs.

Apologies for digressing down this path but:

I've seen the weight of the current Clio quoted at 1150kg.

So it looks like that's the ballpark for moder superminis. I would have assumed on that basis that the A150 was even heavier - just on the basis that MB would build a more substantial small car.

Compare that with a 60s Ford Cortina Mk 2 - which was a family car. just under 1000kgs. By the eighties the Sierra that replaced the Cortina was around 1100kg.

The original Fiesta was something like 750kg.

And another digression - the increase in weight has indirectly made diesels look better. The weight increase for a diesel has become proportionately lower as a result of the increased underlying weight of the vehicle.

 

[wemorgan]

I've seen the weight of the current Clio quoted at 1150kg.

So it looks like that's the ballpark for moder superminis. I would have assumed on that basis that the A150 was even heavier - just on the basis that MB would build a more substantial small car.

Premium cars, such as MB, tend to use more expensive ultra high strength steels, tailor welded blanks, hot stampings and laser welding to help save weight, whilst maintain their image of being 'substantial'.

 

[area51]

Thanks for all your replies.

Black C55, the ball joints that you have replaced, had they failed totally [sheared] or were they just heavily worn? Also, were they noisy in any way?

Reason for asking is that my car produces a loud click [once] from the driver's side front on acceleration and does the same on the overrun.

I am having real difficulty pinpointing the cause of the problem. All bolts are tight. Droplinks, engine mounts,anti roll bar bushes all seem ok, no excess free play anywhere...


Thanks again
Chris

 

[rubbergrape]

I had a lower ball joint replaced at around 50K miles. I was getting vibration on the motorway. I seem to remember jacking up the car and could see movement in the joint when rocking the wheel in line with the driveshaft - it was well worn and i felt lucky to catch it before the joint gave way.

I tried but couldn't separate the joint - got fed up and my local garage replaced it 4 me.

About the loud click noise. I occasionally get one of those when going up/down large bumps. Haven't a clue what it is, but its rare. Maybe I just don't accelerate as hard as u

 

[BlackC55]

I had a lower ball joint replaced at around 50K miles. I was getting vibration on the motorway. I seem to remember jacking up the car and could see movement in the joint when rocking the wheel in line with the driveshaft - it was well worn and i felt lucky to catch it before the joint gave way.

I tried but couldn't separate the joint - got fed up and my local garage replaced it 4 me.

About the loud click noise. I occasionally get one of those when going up/down large bumps. Haven't a clue what it is, but its rare. Maybe I just don't accelerate as hard as u

The click can be from where the subframe mounts. I have heard it a few times before.