M Class ball joints

[television]

Care should be taken when replacing the lower ball joint in the front and rear suspension, otherwise it can become expensive.

Replacing the ball is uaually straightforward, the problem starts in the second stage in the pre glued ring to install the joint.

As the ring is turned the heat generated melts the glue and allowes it to flow but as the force needed to get the torque up to 350Nm is hard work, its normall to take a rest, but if you do the thing sets, and you have to start all over again, and chissel the old one off.

As the joint cost £90 each plus VAT it could turn a simple job into an expensive one. The locking rings are not sold on their own so you have to buy a complete new ball unit.

So remember to torque it up to the 350Nm in one go, the trade use a special tool to torque it , and then fit the ring.

Malcolm

 

[psmart]

Ever since I read this, I've been scratching my balls pondering it (Italians rubbed off on me)!!

Good advise though Malcolm, many thanks, hopefully I wont get to do it, but you never know! Putting 30Nm on manifold bolts is not easy, but applying 350Nm.... my Torque wrench only goes upto 118Nm and the 1/2" extension drive with 1/2metre handle will probably be overkill .... Maybe a case to call into an Indie if this needs doing!

 

[psmart]

Care should be taken when replacing the lower ball joint in the front and rear suspension, otherwise it can become expensive.

Replacing the ball is uaually straightforward, the problem starts in the second stage in the pre glued ring to install the joint.

As the ring is turned the heat generated melts the glue and allowes it to flow but as the force needed to get the torque up to 350Nm is hard work, its normall to take a rest, but if you do the thing sets, and you have to start all over again, and chissel the old one off.

As the joint cost £90 each plus VAT it could turn a simple job into an expensive one. The locking rings are not sold on their own so you have to buy a complete new ball unit.

So remember to torque it up to the 350Nm in one go, the trade use a special tool to torque it , and then fit the ring.

Malcolm

Lower ball joint for an ML, can this be bought from Merc complete as part of the lower arm, or must the ball joint be bought seperately? I ask because I need to replace one and havent got a 350Nm torque wrench.

 

[eric242340]

Lower ball joint for an ML, can this be bought from Merc complete as part of the lower arm, or must the ball joint be bought seperately? I ask because I need to replace one and havent got a 350Nm torque wrench.

350mn torque wrench? what, on earth, is all this about?

 

[psmart]

350mn torque wrench? what, on earth, is all this about?

Thats whats written down below! My intention is to replace the entire front suspension, bushes and shocks to last another 6 years, so its simpler to get the lower suspension arm with in-built ball than try and get a new ball joint and install it into my old suspension arm!

What Torque settings do you use Eric?

 

[eric242340]

Thats whats written down below! My intention is to replace the entire front suspension, bushes and shocks to last another 6 years, so its simpler to get the lower suspension arm with in-built ball than try and get a new ball joint and install it into my old suspension arm!

What Torque settings do you use Eric?

Well, lets put it this way, there is no car in the world that would require 350 nm. It would be enough to destroy anything (thats if you can find a torque wrench that goes to that level.

 

[wireman]

The big nut inside a rolls shadow rear hub is at 300lbft about 360nm.
I used a scafold tube 4 feet long and me as the weight to torque them up.

 

[eric242340]

Lower ball joint for an ML, can this be bought from Merc complete as part of the lower arm, or must the ball joint be bought seperately? I ask because I need to replace one and havent got a 350Nm torque wrench.

You can buy it seperately, and NO you dont need a massive torque wrench. But it has to be pressed out and the new one pressed in and for this you need a helpful mechanic

 

[eric242340]

The big nut inside a rolls shadow rear hub is at 300lbft about 360nm.
I used a scafold tube 4 feet long and me as the weight to torque them up.

Have you ever worked on Rolls Royce? You use and I quote (scaffold to torque)?

 

[eric242340]

Care should be taken when replacing the lower ball joint in the front and rear suspension, otherwise it can become expensive.

Replacing the ball is uaually straightforward, the problem starts in the second stage in the pre glued ring to install the joint.

As the ring is turned the heat generated melts the glue and allowes it to flow but as the force needed to get the torque up to 350Nm is hard work, its normall to take a rest, but if you do the thing sets, and you have to start all over again, and chissel the old one off.

As the joint cost £90 each plus VAT it could turn a simple job into an expensive one. The locking rings are not sold on their own so you have to buy a complete new ball unit.

So remember to torque it up to the 350Nm in one go, the trade use a special tool to torque it , and then fit the ring.

Malcolm

What is this, now we are supposed to fit parts with super glue? doh my head hurts

 

[kth286]

Eric

Crank pulley on 5 cylinder Audi engines (mid 80's) needed to be torqued to 350Nm using a combination of special extension tool and torque wrench.

 

[Blobcat]

mmmmm http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...em_ID=55380&group_ID=955&store=uk&dir=catalog

 

[Blobcat]

or if your not feeling quite so flush; http://www.toolshopdirect.co.uk/handtool/product/TEN1292AGE4

 

[eric242340]

mmmmm http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...em_ID=55380&group_ID=955&store=uk&dir=catalog

OK, got your point, but these are for comercial vehicles. ie trucks and not cars.I for one have never had to resort to scaffolding pipes to find the correct torque.

 

[television]

OK, got your point, but these are for comercial vehicles. ie trucks and not cars.I for one have never had to resort to scaffolding pipes to find the correct torque.

The plain truth is eric that you do not know much about MB cars, but you are very good at showing how big you are and messing up threads.

Do you think that I got the 350nm off the top of my head, you are wrong here again, so admit it.

 

[psmart]

mmmmm http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...em_ID=55380&group_ID=955&store=uk&dir=catalog

600quid..... dont scare me Blobcat .... I can replace my whole front suspension, shocks, followers, bushes for less than that!!

Apparently I have to replace a rear coil, but they are hydroponic units (coil and shock pre-assembled) so hopefully no special equipment on that one ... I do have a spring clamp somewhere from my boy racer days though :idea:

 

[eric242340]

The plain truth is eric that you do not know much about MB cars, but you are very good at showing how big you are and messing up threads.

Do you think that I got the 350nm off the top of my head, you are wrong here again, so admit it.

The simple fact is 350nm on any car (and not truck) is really stupid and as for the super glue bit Oh and yes we are arguing again:roll:

 

[television]

The simple fact is 350nm on any car (and not truck) is really stupid and as for the super glue bit Oh and yes we are arguing again:roll:

No eric you are arguing over the correct torque figure for this car, I posted the correct figure and you did not like it. I Say no more.

 

[greenfingers]

Please chaps, not again.

 

[MarkF]

Malcolm, dont rise to the jibes my friend, you are to important to this forum.

Thanks for the info as mine need replacing, on the last service they noted a small amount of play in them so me thinks it will be going back to the indi for this little job.

Regards

Mark