Sl 350 front shock absorber

[Dijit]

fyi.1 supplier ball joint, there is at least 1 other. as said not great fun to get out

https://rebuildmastertech.com/merce...uspension-strut-ball-joint-single-2303331327/

Has anyone replaced the strut bottom ball joint? Are they just an interference fit and press out?
Thanks

 

[ajlsl600]

Has anyone replaced the strut bottom ball joint? Are they just an interference fit and press out?
Thanks

yes but really tight ,at least the one i removed was all ten tonnes deployed. i actually push the ball thru the casing ! then had to press the casing out ,it was that tight, not wanting heat near the strut itself.. they have a thin splines line all the way around .i measured across the splines at 50.20/30 and inside the ring fitting for the joint 50.00 so i guess the spline rise is close to .10/.15 a side .you will need a sleeve to fit the ridge around the ball to press it in, as i would not be pressing on the back of the ball socket itself.

 

[ajlsl600]

thought you were going the resin route ?

 

[Painter16]

thought you were going the resin route ?

Who you asking mate

 

[ajlsl600]

Who you asking mate

ah ,sleepin ....think on same page now!

 

[Painter16]

ah ,sleepin ....think on same page now!

Haha yes taking mine to star in reading in the morning mate ,bit of a drive but if it sorts it out jobs a goodun

 

[ajlsl600]

interested in how that goes.

 

[Dijit]

yes but really tight ,at least the one i removed was all ten tonnes deployed. i actually push the ball thru the casing ! then had to press the casing out ,it was that tight, not wanting heat near the strut itself.. they have a thin splines line all the way around .i measured across the splines at 50.20/30 and inside the ring fitting for the joint 50.00 so i guess the spline rise is close to .10/.15 a side .you will need a sleeve to fit the ridge around the ball to press it in, as i would not be pressing on the back of the ball socket itself.

Thanks for this. Exactly as I suspected.
Mercedes of course don't sell just the balljoint for the SL500 and I'm wondering if there is any difference in the SL350 & SL500 balljoints as I wanted to replace the balljoint on both sides of a friend's SL500. My preference is to replace rather than resin. I note a seller on eBay offers them but wants £150 each. Don't know why as they normally are in the £12-£20 range. I've got a 10 ton press but can access a heavier one if necessary. A socket will provide a "sleeve" to push the new one in. All thoughts welcomed.

 

[ajlsl600]

follow the link i gave you.ref new joint. before the joint was avail i heard (but dont know for certain ) that some were getting hold of the joint from a 350. as the strut was cheaper. still a drastic way to get a new joint.

 

[Painter16]

So took car to star in reading couple weeks ago,and as star predicted it was the ball joint in the hub making the noise not the one on the strutt ,he said both front struts ,ball joints were fine ,he changed the knackerd ball joint and no more creaking noise horray .would recomend star to any you peps that live that way .
he said it's very common fault and changes quite a few regular ,

 

[Dijit]

Mercedes shout about their green credentials and boast of the recyclability of the parts of their cars. Absolute nonsense to then expect people to replace a whole strut assembly (unnecessarily) at a cost of around £1600 each rather than supply just the ball joint at around £8-£16.
In practical terms Mercedes are guilty of theft through market manipulation by refusing to supply a "wear" part on its own. I'll be thinking very carefully about replacing this car. I'd planned on another Mercedes but similar issues with their refusal to supply vanes for the PSE pump and to honour the bodywork warranty means after 7 Mercedes I won't likely be buying an eighth and will be doing my best to warn off others too.