Ball Joint woes

[Jonnym]

I have a 190d 1991 Mercedes. The car has done around 148000 miles.

It’s got an evil squeak on the front passengers side front wheel when turning. I plan to inject some oil under the rubber boot of the ball joint as I suspect that is the most likely suspect.

As it is squeaking so badly now does that mean new ball joints?

How would I check there condition?

I know they are a pain to fit and have read http://www.mercedesshop.com/Wikka/W124BallJoint.

I need to wait for good weather and the chance to use my parents drive as I don’t have one. So need to eak out a few more hundred miles safely.

Thanks for your help

Jon

 

[wireman]

Do not wait.

The ball joints are under tension and will come apart if they get sufficiently tired.

Your ball joints are tired and do not know about warmer weather, one of them might let go and then try and steer you into an obstruction. They often pop at low speed and there is little damage, but if its faster.....

Lift the weight of the wheel to check it.

Jack and stand the corner of interest, remove the wheel and then use a block or scissorjack to lift the arm/strut from below the ball joint to ensure there is no tension on the joint and strut.
Then crow bar the gap between the bottom arm and strut, if it moves at all do replace it.

Given your safety requirement (and mine if I'm any where within a few yards of you driving) it is of paramount importance that you get the ball joint changed. It cost me £70 a side with an indie. It is not easy to change them properly without removing the arm.

 

[Jonnym]

Thanks for the quick response

Ive jacked the car up and had a good poke about. I couldn't get see any play between the bottom arm and strut, but have to say it was fairly dark under there and hard to see for sure. I will have another look on Sat with help from my girlfreind.

To be honest I can't see what else it could be, it has been suggested its just a dry joint which can be rectified with a syringe and some oil, but I think swapping it out is a better idea.

Should both be swapped or can they be done individually?

Thanks for your help

Jon

 

[Smudge]

I would spray some silicone lube on the rubber bushes around that area too.The rubber can get very dry in cold weather and give these symptoms.However if it turns out to be the ball joints get it fixed asap!
Particularly as the side you mention is where your girl friend sits!

 

[MissyD]

I have had a similar sounding squeak from the drivers front wheel for a few weeks now and not sure when i can have it looked at to confirm the problem, but having read this I am now worried it could be the ball joints . I am not too good at all the jacking up and checking malarky and so would appreciate some advice and reassurance please (or a nice young man to do it for me!)

 

[television]

I have had a similar sounding squeak from the drivers front wheel for a few weeks now and not sure when i can have it looked at to confirm the problem, but having read this I am now worried it could be the ball joints . I am not too good at all the jacking up and checking malarky and so would appreciate some advice and reassurance please (or a nice young man to do it for me!)

If I lived nearer you would get a nice old man to check your ball joints Missy D

 

[Alex M Grieve]

I have had a similar sounding squeak from the drivers front wheel for a few weeks now and not sure when i can have it looked at to confirm the problem, but having read this I am now worried it could be the ball joints . I am not too good at all the jacking up and checking malarky and so would appreciate some advice and reassurance please (or a nice young man to do it for me!)

Hi Sarah,

This was covered well by Nick Froome (Bolide) and others recently:
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showpost.php?p=273032&postcount=2

Malcolm's post (number #16) at the end of that thread is also helpful.

Somebody did manage to weave the idea of grease nipples into the conversation - but I don't think you need worry about that ..........

 

[MissyD]

If I lived nearer you would get a nice old man to check your ball joints Missy D

I know you would Malc, thanks

Hi Sarah,

This was covered well by Nick Froome (Bolide) and others recently:
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showpost.php?p=273032&postcount=2

Malcolm's post (number #16) at the end of that thread is also helpful.

Thanks Alex too