w124 E220 wishbone bush/joint replace project

[Algoritmus]

Hi All,

I am playing with the idea to replace the bushes and joints on front whisbones.

The problem is I have no idea wheter it is possible as a DIY.

Further, I have no idea about the correct procedure.

So, here is when you guys come into picture. I would like to ask help to set up a procedure first on theoretical level only (bulletpoints ) then decide the GO/NO GO.

On this Saturday I will replace the ARB bushes and take some picture about the wishbones etc, then post here to identify the parts bolts etc.

Any help welcome.

Cheers

Attila

 

[Sp!ke]

Sounds to me like you'd be better off buying and fitting new wishbones with new bushes and already balljoints fitted.

Fitting the lower balljoints into the wishbone is not a job for the faint hearted.

On an elderly W124, you might find that the bolts holding the wishbones in are seized solid and you may need to cut the existing wishbones off with a grinder.

 

[grober]

Here's how one guy did the front ball joints. PeachPartsWiki: How I Replaced the Ball Joints and Tie Rods Not a job for the average DIY man IMHO. You can make the job easier by buying the complete lower wishbone complete with new bushes and ball joint. However to do the job safely and easily you need an appropriate front spring compressor tool. The front wishbone is mounted on the chassis using excentric bolts/bushes/washers to set camber etc and some folks reckon you can mark the position of the old bolts and use these again. While this might work with the same old suspension arm it might not apply to a new one. There can also be be slight differences between wishbone arms also, mainly to do with the angle of the outer ball joint- some can be removed [ like the example above] others are welded in place. So its theoretically a DIY job - but not for the faint hearted or inexperienced imho.
Spike beat me to it!

 

[WDB124066]

This may help.......

 

[Algoritmus]

I have access for car lift, air gun, press machine, ball joint separator to make life easier, so hopefully old nuts,bolts wont be a problem (finger crossed).

Yes, I know there are complete bolt on ready wishbones, that is why I'd like to know how hard/impossible/easy to do this, then do the math and decide the next move.

This is a kind of hobby to doing things on the car if doable, even if it takes double/triple times than a experienced mechanic. Of course if at the end the math shows that replacment parts+afterwork (alignment etc)+ my free time (measured in the sef-service garage cost (£20/hour) ) greater than the cost of mechanic then red flag for me and leave it for mechanic.

How much would be this job in garage (all inclusive).

Thanks for the comments guy!

WDB124066: where do you get those brilliant pages from ?

 

[WDB124066]

Fitting is very quick and easy, so cost is low.

Buying the part/s will be where the majority of the cost will be. Suggest you do a search and make sure if you do not buy Genuine pre installed bushes that you get the bushes installed correctly. Manufacturers get this wrong!!!