Ball joint problem

[fendoch]

Hi

My 2004 Mercedes S320 broke down yesterday with a loud bang underneath. Having been recovered to the nearest Mercedes dealer it was found that a heatshield had come adrift and was getting caught in the propshaft. No problem I thought, but the young mechanic mentioned that a SMALL BALL JOINT in the front offside was also worn, and was creating a small knocking noise.

On checking the cost I am told that it is part of a kit cost £160 + vat, but if they cannot release it then the arm it is attached to is £600 + Vat. All this plus labour !!!!!!

Surely I could buy just the ball joint itself, and get it down in a local garage ????

Typically the warranty ran out 3 months ago.......so its down to me

Any advice or assistance would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

Graham

 

[tsanders]

Assuming it is the cause of the noise, my advice would be to get them to fix the heatshield problem and just report anything else they find to you. Then get a second opinion.

Ball joints per-se allow the hub assembly to pivot on its wishbones. I don't know about your specific model but generically they can be replaced by any garage. I got mine done (2002 E220) at 80K by my favourite brakes/tyre shop.

Search other posts on here about ball joints. I think mine lasting that long was, shall we say, "getting the most out of them" but it still passed MOTs!

Ask your dealer to be specific about which joint it is.

 

[fendoch]

Hi m8

Thanks for the reply....I have just returned from the dealers and the heatshield has been put back on. The ball joint he says will last for a while yet but it is requiring replacing. The ball joint in question is the small one on the offside which attaches to the bottom of the strut, and its at this point, he says, if they cannot seperate them, then I would also require a new strut, at a price of £600 + vat plus labour, over and above the ball joint (£166) + labour.

Where is the best place to source this ball joint and I can get my local garage to fit it..

Any help !!!!!

 

[tsanders]

Like I say, we need someone with knowledge of your model but it all sounds like a lot of cash, not to mention hot air.

I translate what you say as lower ball joint. I had both mine done for £120 inc. The tyre shop sourced the joints. Don't have the invoice in front of me but search on here. They are inexpensive.

You have time on your side so ring around.

What's your milage, btw, and in what area do you live? It will help others to answer you better.

 

[fendoch]

Thanks m8

I am in central scotland (Perth) Mileage is 75K

 

[brandwooddixon]

I must admit that I didn't realise that S class had Macpherson struct front suspension. I'd always assumed double wishbone similar to E class.

Some lower ball joints are an interference fit with the lower wishbone and as such require a workshop press to rempove and refit.

Get a quote for the work detailing all parts. Much of the cost will be labour (£120 ph) and the work could be performed elsewhere more cheaply, even if you source the parts from MB.