[Spyderman]

Hi, I mostly just read up on the archived topics so as to not ask a repetitive question as I'm sure you guys have more to do than respond to the same old questions from newbies, but I can't find anyhing on the subject of replacing front ball joints on a ML. How difficult and expensive is it? I have been quoted any where from $69 for the ball joint from Auto Zone to $235 for the part from Munro and anywhere from half an hour labor to 2 hours per side. I may attempt to change them myself but while mechanically inclined I have never attempted this before. Any suggestions? I've heard it's easier to replace the whole control arm than just the joint? Thanks in advance. Spyderman:bowdown:

 

[Witek_M]

Not to question your mechanical inclination but if you dive under your truck and take a good look you may find out that ball joint is pressed into wheel carrier not lower control arm. It's not your fathers Oldsmobile

Searching this forum I have found writeup on the job.
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w163-m-class/1402382-strange-sound-2.html

As easy as it may sound ball joint replacement led to following thread: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w163-m-class/1407257-cv-boot.html

There is not enough room between ball joint and axle shaft to do it without harming C/V boot.

 

[Spyderman]

well then Thanks for the info. I won't attempt it myself. Any ideas on how long you think it should take a qualified mechanic to do one side?

 

[mlfun]

What's the symptom of the problem with the Ball Joint ?

 

[jefferino]

Or you can buy one from me from my ml55 that I am parting out and just replace it from there and not have to worry about pressing in and out...

 

[Spyderman]

The symptom was a sweak in the front end driver's side. I took it to an local garage who said I needed a left side lower ball joint and a sway bar repair kit. Took it to aniother garage who told me I only needed a right side lower ball joint. Took it to a third garage and he agreed it was the right side....go figure. However one garage wanted 2.5 hours another 2 hours and a 3rd 45 minutes in labor. So I have no idea how to proceed except to bring it to a fourth garage -one more time. But what is the average amount of time required to change a lower ball joint on my truck? I'm assuming if one really is bad I should change both.

 

[pcy]

43sqd and Witek may be able to tell you what the 'book' hours are for replacing both front lower ball joints. I would guess somewhere around 2.5 hours of labor for both sides.

This article came in just about right time; I will have to replace front lower ball joints on my truck soon.

 

[boardboy330]

IMO, I would take it to a shop for completion. But that is just me.

 

[43sqd]

43sqd and Witek may be able to tell you what the 'book' hours are for replacing both front lower ball joints. I would guess somewhere around 2.5 hours of labor for both sides.

This article came in just about right time; I will have to replace front lower ball joints on my truck soon.

Somewhere in between 3.5-4 hrs. for both sides.

 

[mlfun]

The symptom was a sweak in the front end driver's side. I took it to an local garage who said I needed a left side lower ball joint and a sway bar repair kit. Took it to aniother garage who told me I only needed a right side lower ball joint. Took it to a third garage and he agreed it was the right side....go figure. However one garage wanted 2.5 hours another 2 hours and a 3rd 45 minutes in labor. So I have no idea how to proceed except to bring it to a fourth garage -one more time. But what is the average amount of time required to change a lower ball joint on my truck? I'm assuming if one really is bad I should change both.

Do you mean "squeak" ?

 

[Spyderman]

An squeak like an "eee" "eee" when i turn the wheel or go over uneven ground. it's gone now though so i think it must have been caused by the freezing tempatures here in Canada.

BTW - I called MB dealer and he said about 3.5 hours a side. I'm going to go with the quote I got for 2 hours per side + $200 for the BJ.

 

[jefferino]

$200 for the BJ.

That seems a little high for a BJ I am sure you could find one on CraigsList for cheaper than that

In all honesty...sounds like a good idea and HOPE it works!

 

[pcy]

AutohausAZ has the front lower ball joint for around $60 each and the rears are even cheaper.

 

[AV8R4AA]

Ball joints revisited:
If I already have the threaded but on my front lower
ball joints, have they been replaced at least once?
Did the factory ever send out the threaded nut
ball joints?

 

[Noodles]

They have been replaced at least once if you have the threaded version on there.

 

[AV8R4AA]

Ok, good to know.
As for the rears, they look similar, but don't have a notched collar.
As those new or original?

 

[Noodles]

They are original. Get the Moog ball joints all around(If they are needed). They have seemed to last the longest for most users.

BTW- I have to do them on all the 99 and I am getting Moogs all around and also both front upper control arms. Then it is getting aligned because the upper control arms can change the geometry.

 

[croat]

Job is easy and takes 1 to 1.5 hrs per side.

As Noodles suggested, get the Moog BJs
Cheapest I could find them was at FCPEuro for $38
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/me...t-ml320-ml350-ml430-ml500-ml55-amg-1633300135

 

[sat_sonic]

I had my mechanic do all 4 plus the upper control arm rear passenger side. He did all 4 in just over 2 hrs, but this guy is very good. As others stated is used Moog ball joints, and although the OEM are pressed on, he simply hit them with a hammer to get them out and threw the new ones in a freezer while he worked on disassembly. When ready the Moogs have a large nut you screw on and have very high torque (~500 lbs). We even cut the threads with a a chisel to make sure the nuts would never rattle loose. Hope this helps, good luck!


-Using Tapatalk

 

[Noodles]

Not sure why the threads were chiseled. The nuts from MB and Moog that I have used had thread locking compound already applied.

Also it is torqued to 300nm which is about 222 ft lbs.