---Quote (Originally by Rupununipete)---
Ball joints are fairly easy. With the lower control arm supported you will want to remove the calipers and rotor for easier access. Removing the hub and backing plate is an option but will require a dial-gage to set the wheel bearing play on reassembly, so keep that in mind (half a thousands of an inch)
Back both the nuts off until flush with end of threaded shaft. I personally heat up the spindle with a torch in the area that holds the ball joint to avoid having to beat on stuff and then give it a good square faced smack with a 3 pound hammer and it comes loose every time, even on this well corroded daily driver with what looks to be original suspension. You will need to retain the big nut on the spindle connection for the new ball joint, so hit it squarely and don't beat it up. on assembly torque to 140 Nm
You then give the same square smack to the top of the ball joint with the lower control supported on the floor jack. Spin the nuts off and replace. Torque control arm nut to 100 Nm.
Keep in mind that the coil spring is only kept under compression by the floor jack under the control arm and weight of the car. Lowering the jack once the ball joint is loose will result in a lot of excitement and possible terminal injury, so be bloody careful! The safest way is to retain the spring is with a proper compression tool, but not necessary if you are careful.
---End Quote---
Thanks for the advice and encouragement! I have the proper spring compressor so I may use that.
Would you mind commenting on this guy's DIY? he mentions putting the ball joint into the control arm first and then swinging it into the spindle hole in order to better align it. What do you think?
W140 Ball Joint DIY Guide - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum
Also, I am not sure if I have the replacement nut for the backside. It is alright to reuse it?
Thanks again!
***************
End Quote
The article in Pelican Parts is correct in that it is best to situate the ball joint in the control are first. You can reuse the nut to situate the ball joint in the spindle. This is why you want to take care when you knock it out of the spindle in the first place.
Ball joints are fairly easy. With the lower control arm supported you will want to remove the calipers and rotor for easier access. Removing the hub and backing plate is an option but will require a dial-gage to set the wheel bearing play on reassembly, so keep that in mind (half a thousands of an inch)
Back both the nuts off until flush with end of threaded shaft. I personally heat up the spindle with a torch in the area that holds the ball joint to avoid having to beat on stuff and then give it a good square faced smack with a 3 pound hammer and it comes loose every time, even on this well corroded daily driver with what looks to be original suspension. You will need to retain the big nut on the spindle connection for the new ball joint, so hit it squarely and don't beat it up. on assembly torque to 140 Nm
You then give the same square smack to the top of the ball joint with the lower control supported on the floor jack. Spin the nuts off and replace. Torque control arm nut to 100 Nm.
Keep in mind that the coil spring is only kept under compression by the floor jack under the control arm and weight of the car. Lowering the jack once the ball joint is loose will result in a lot of excitement and possible terminal injury, so be bloody careful! The safest way is to retain the spring is with a proper compression tool, but not necessary if you are careful.
---End Quote---
Thanks for the advice and encouragement! I have the proper spring compressor so I may use that.
Would you mind commenting on this guy's DIY? he mentions putting the ball joint into the control arm first and then swinging it into the spindle hole in order to better align it. What do you think?
W140 Ball Joint DIY Guide - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum
Also, I am not sure if I have the replacement nut for the backside. It is alright to reuse it?
Thanks again!
***************
End Quote
The article in Pelican Parts is correct in that it is best to situate the ball joint in the control are first. You can reuse the nut to situate the ball joint in the spindle. This is why you want to take care when you knock it out of the spindle in the first place.