Ball joints

[yellowbelly]

Hi

Can anyone tell me what i need to look for to tell if my ball joints are in need of replacing? Visited two independent who have contradicted each other and would prefer to check for myself.

Also any advice on how to check the steering idler would be appreciated.

Many thanks!

Darren

 

[mstar]

i have had the same problem myself it seems to be a thing most garages like to pick up on, and others dnt i in the end sold my car but i was assured by a respected garage mine was fine, however my MOT place said "excessive wear and need replacing asap, wnt last much miles"

 

[mioba]

Believe the garage that said they are OK.

its not uncommon for garages to tell you the ball joints need replacing as its something the average consumer will have idea about, its simply very easy for them to you tell you that and give them business for nothing.

I was told this by a firend who works in the trade.

If the ball joints have perished it will not be missed in the MOT.

 

[television]

The ball joint consist of two parts, either can cause it to fail the MOT.

If the rubber boot is damaged, the ball joint will soon fail once, water finds its way inside, so the joint will fail the MOT test on the rubber boot being damaged. the same goes for any steering components that have a rubber boot.

The ball joint is tested by rocking one wheel while the other is held still, there should be no play in the joint, the other way to test is with a flat bar that is placed in the joint to lift the socket, once again there should be no play, whilst doing this test any play in the idler can be seen by an up and down movement when the wheels are rocked.

Malcolm

 

[angus falconer]

Hi

Can anyone tell me what i need to look for to tell if my ball joints are in need of replacing? Visited two independent who have contradicted each other and would prefer to check for myself.

Also any advice on how to check the steering idler would be appreciated.

Many thanks!

Darren

Is the steering crisp and accurate? On my W202 you can tell if the lower balljoints are excessively worn because you need to make constant steering corrections to travel in a straight line. Turn-in feels soggy too.

 

[angus falconer]

Is the steering crisp and accurate? On my W202 you can tell if the lower balljoints are excessively worn because you need to make constant steering corrections to travel in a straight line. Turn-in feels soggy too.

They last 40-50k on mine - bear in mind C43's have heavy enginer and stiff suspension h combined with London roads speeds up the wear rate. If you drive hard on bad roads it certainly won't help.

 

[Blobcat]

They last 40-50k on mine - bear in mind C43's have heavy enginer and stiff suspension h combined with London roads speeds up the wear rate. If you drive hard on bad roads it certainly won't help.

Or use the power steering whilst the car is stationary

 

[mstar]

Is the steering crisp and accurate? On my W202 you can tell if the lower balljoints are excessively worn because you need to make constant steering corrections to travel in a straight line. Turn-in feels soggy too.

thats intresting... in a straight line the car doesn't seem to sway left or right maybe the benz garage was teling me porkies all along :x i will get them checked again.

 

[angus falconer]

thats intresting... in a straight line the car doesn't seem to sway left or right maybe the benz garage was teling me porkies all along :x i will get them checked again.

It's not so much swaying, it's more wandering. Feels similar to having the inside shoulders or the tyres worn. the car follow cambers and generally.....wanders. You notice it on a motorway - rather that relax and cruise with one hand lightly on the wheel you feel you need two hands to correct and re-correct all the time.

 

[mstar]

right i am off to the motorway and burn some deisel to try it out:smile:

 

[joem]

I know I am late in to this, but just to confirm, my W202 has just failed it's MOT on it's lower front ball joints and the symptoms described by Angus Falconer cover it perfectly. Wandering and vagueness. Mine lasted 119,000 miles though, not the 40-50k mentioned.

 

[angus falconer]

I know I am late in to this, but just to confirm, my W202 has just failed it's MOT on it's lower front ball joints and the symptoms described by Angus Falconer cover it perfectly. Wandering and vagueness. Mine lasted 119,000 miles though, not the 40-50k mentioned.

I think the C43's are particulary hard on balljoints due to extra loading due to (a) heavy engine and (b) phenominal brakes. In addition I live in London and there are (c) loads of speedbumps and potholes. So my case is extreme.....

 

[SimonRaf]

The ball joint is tested by rocking one wheel while the other is held still, there should be no play in the joint.
Malcolm

Yup, that is what is happening to my drivers side front. Ball joint is loose and there is movement when on ramp. Big job to fix Malcolm?

 

[dava]

Check this link out and scroll down to Merc Vans, although it's vans the same principle applies to cars.
http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosacorp/rep...+ball+joints&pr=CORP&order=r&cq=&id=4757943e6

 

[aquiss]

My old W203 failed MOT on exactly this point.

I had local merc dealership cost it up £250ish.....local VOSA indie garage in Shrewsbury did the lot for £60.

 

[wireman]

My 201 failed its MOT on a ball joint, but the next MOT man passed it.
It just goes to show that if you leave a sick 190 in the drive for 3 months it will mend itself.

The ball joint however did not agree and fell apart one nice day whilst the other side of the car was being jacked up.

It is not always easy to spot a duff ball joint due to the static loads holding them in place.

 

[SimonRaf]

My old W203 failed MOT on exactly this point.

I had local merc dealership cost it up £250ish.....local VOSA indie garage in Shrewsbury did the lot for £60.

Thanks fellas, wish I lived in Shewsbury though Will b ook in with my mechanic .

 

[SimonRaf]

Lower rearmost arm to be replaced. Is this the same as above??

 

[dieselman]

Lower rearmost arm to be replaced. Is this the same as above??

Effectively, Yes. Different arrangement though.

 

[dieselman]

It is not always easy to spot a duff ball joint due to the static loads holding them in place.

Easy on these cars, just jack the wheel off the ground using the car body and then lift it up. Any appreciable movement and the joint is fubar.
It would have to be very worn to fall apart.