W124 E320 coupe ball joints

[MBK]

Hi Guys,

I remember hearing somewhere that the ball joints on a E320 coupe are not replacable and that you have to change the whole wishbone. is this true?

Thanks,

Kully

 

[grober]

Dont think so. Maybe doesn't apply to the sports line??? Otherwise they are designed to be replaced AFAIK. I would go for Lemforder from ECP or Pukka MB ones.

 

[MBK]

Dont think so. Maybe doesn't apply to the sports line??? Otherwise they are designed to be replaced AFAIK. I would go for Lemforder from ECP or Pukka MB ones.

The car is a sport line.

 

[nick mercedes]

Hi Guys,

I remember hearing somewhere that the ball joints on a E320 coupe are not replacable and that you have to change the whole wishbone. is this true?

Thanks,

Kully

You'll need to replace the wishbones, not cheap either.

 

[w124nut]

If you are going to replace your front wishbones then please make sure that you stipulate that it is for a sportline model. I understand that they are different from a standard model and of course, much more expensive.

I had the front wishbone bushes renewed on my sportline W124 earlier this year and instead of having brand new wishbones (the price was much greater and delivery time to my indy not suitable for me), I opted for my indy to refurbish mine.

 

[kth286]

the steering ball joint is welded into the wishbone so cannot be renewed.

Buying the complete new wishbones from mercedes means you get all new joints per wishbone (that's 3 per wishbone) and they should last another 120,000 miles (in my case).

Plus of course you get the correct rubber joint hardness that matches your chassis/suspension set up whether it be sportline or standard.

It would therfore seem false economy to replace just the two joints that fix the wishbone to the chassis on this model, and then leave the vitally important old steering ball joint in place and which IS going to need replacement soon anyway (complete new wishbone required).

 

[MBK]

New wishbones ordered at £255 + vat from MB

thanks for all your help.

Also on the sportline you can't just rpelace the ball joint as stated above.

 

[kth286]

Have you had a quote for fitting - how much ?

 

[w124nut]

New wishbones ordered at £255 + vat from MB

thanks for all your help.

Also on the sportline you can't just rpelace the ball joint as stated above.

My decision to have the wishbones refurbished was based on economics and the mileage of the car.

My car has completed 82,000 miles in 15 years so at your quoted 120,000 miles I have about another 7 years before my ball joints wear out.

The cost of refurbishment, including parts and labour worked out to £270 for both wishbones which is a lot less than £255 for each wishbone.

IMHO there is no right or wrong answer to this one just what one feels at the time when speaking to the mechanic at the garage. Yes, money no object, I would just say "brand new please."

 

[MBK]

hi w124 nut where did you get yours refurbished, i might be interested in going down that route only if the ball joint is refurbed too

 

[MBK]

Have you had a quote for fitting - how much ?

Fitting is not a problem i can do that myself.

 

[w124nut]

hi w124 nut where did you get yours refurbished, i might be interested in going down that route only if the ball joint is refurbed too

The garage I use is Cornerstone Garage at Ilton in Somerset. At the end of January this year, I just had new front wishbone bushes fitted, not a new/refurbished ball joint.

The telephone number of Cornerstone is 01460 55585 - ask for Paul.