[philipk2003]

W211 DIY Lower Control Arm and Ball Joint Change

Why?

Dealer wanted $66x2 for ball joints and $400 for Labor. For the Lower control arm $290x2 and another $400 for labor – a total of $1,500

I decided to change it myself. I purchased both Ball joints on ebay for $53 (free shipping), and both lower control arm for $162 (including shipping).

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I had to buy two special tools. 1) Ball Joint Separator $35 (including shipping) and 2) Ball joint Remover/Installer $92.00 (including shipping).

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For a total of $342, this job saved me over $1150.00.

1) Jack up front of the car, put jack sands on both sides, leave the jack in the middle, put stopping blocks on both rear wheels.

2) Take the front wheels off, remove the dust pans from under the car.

3) Loosen the 21mm nut on the ball joint (top) and the 21mm nut on the lower control arm ball joint (bottom).

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4) Use the Ball Joint Separator tool, break loose both ball joints. I highly recommend this tool!! Use an impact wrench if you can, when the ball joint breaks loose, it is quite violent.

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5) The other end of the lower control arm, loosen the nut and bolt that holds the body (9/16 - 12 point socket and a 21mm socket).

6) Remove the Lower control arm.

7) Lower the steering knuckle out of the way, then Put the Ball Joint Remover/Installer Tool on the Ball Joint, press the old ball joint out. YOU MUST HAVE THIS TOOL, THIS JOB CANNOT BE DONE WITHOUT IT. ALSO, YOU WILL NEED TWO BREAKER BARS. ALSO CANNOT BE DONE WITH OUT IT.

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8) Using the same Ball Joint Remover/Installer Tool, press the new ball joint in.

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9) Put the steering knuckle, ball joint back together, tighten the ball joint.

10) Put the new lower control arm back in place, tighten the ball joint, and the nut and bolt on the other end.

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11) Put the dust pan back

12) Put your wheels back on

13) Lower the car, you just saved over $1,150.00!

Also see my write up on DIY W211 Front End Alignment – search for it on this forum!

DIY W211 Lower Control Arm and Ball Joint Change

Mercedes DIY Alignment

 

[philipk2003]

Ebay!

 

[philipk2003]

Haha, it's more of a Yay! I get to play outside today. But that's only because I have the right tools.

It is VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY important to have the right tools, and NOT the general loaners from Autozone.

I've known guys with a pitch fork that was pounding the sh*t out of the ball joint and steering knuckle for 30 min (each side) before it popped. The tool did it in 10 seconds with an impact. Not to mention no pounding on the hands and dents in your suspension!!!

Even more important, the Ball Joint press made for the Mercedes ball joint fits PERFECTLY, not just some generic size bushings. The tool is also about 10lbs and it's heavy duty. If you tear your front end apart using generic loaner tools, you'll end up stuck mid way in your job, then will have to leave the old ball joint there, putting everything back together.

You're already saving over a 1K, spend the extra $130 and buy the right tools. If you're really cheap, sell the tools on ebay after you're done and get 1/2 your money back.

 

[philipk2003]

I bought mine from these guys. Please email the seller and confirm it will work for your model/year before purchasing:


BMW BENZ Ball Joint Tie Rod End Separator Remover Tool:eBay Motors (item 250497740060 end time Sep-15-09 20:40:38 PDT)

Good Luck! Keep us posted!