C250TD Front Lower Ball Joints

[wingco]

I am looking for advice on how hard it is to change the front lower ball joints on a W202 C250TD. (The Stealership asked for £350 to do it). I have got the Haynes book of dreams on the car, but it seems confusing.

Do you need to remove the Coil spring, track rod end, shock absorber etc? Or can I just split the lower joint out by itself?

Do I need a coil spring compressor? What is the best ball joint splitter to buy ? (I have still got the version which requires a big hammer, should I buy a specific Merc tool?)

I am also told that the front anti-roll bar link rod bushes need changing - again any advice much appreciated.

The last time I did this job was on an old Audi GT5E and it didn't seem too bad then.................


Any advice much appreciated.

 

[teky]

you dont need to touch the suspention at all they are removed the same way you did your audi and the anti roll bar link rods are a dodle which you will need to remove to get the lower ball joint off anyway then you fit the new ones when the ball joints are on

 

[wingco]

Teky

Thanks very much - I'll get the spanners ready!

 

[wingco]

Teky

Did the job yesterday very easy (aprt from having to drill out a snapped off locating pin in the steering knuckle) and the joints were only £26 each from the local MB dealer.

I have another question i would appreciate your help on. The car makes a click from the nearside front when reversing off the drive, under braking, on corners and speed bumps, mostly at low speed. It was diagnosed as the ball joints by the dealer. All other bushes/joints are OK.

One suggestion is that it is a brake pad moving in the caliper. Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[teky]

sounds like idler arm
http://uk.msnusers.com/autodatabase...sage=567&LastModified=4675471731951061020
could also be sway bar bush

 

[wingco]

Thanks Teky

I will take a look.

 

[wingco]

Teky

Whats a sway bar bush? is this an anti roll bar bush? Also will the idler arm bush affect steering/stability/tyre wear?

Thanks again for your help.