w163 ML lower ball joint

[marc.lovell]

Hi

The ML failed the MOT on a lower ball joint and replacing the joint this week end. I see the ball joint bolts on to the lower wishbone but seems to be shrunk fitted into the hub.Do I need to remove the hub and have it pressed out ? How do I remove the joint from the hub ?

regards
marc

 

[piestore]

ML ball joint

Hi

Yes you need to remove the knuckle and press out the old joint but that is the easy bit the new joint comes wth a nut which has to be tightened to some ridiculess torque (360 nm I thinck) need special socket and lotts of wheatabix

good luck

 

[whitey]

You forgot to add to your list the plasters for the cut knuckles.I have done this job a few times,but doing that lock nut up is a pig.Without the special socket it cant be done.

 

[marc.lovell]

thanx

thanks for the help, decided to take it in to the stealership to have it done. They quote 3.7 hours........ it shouldnt realy have worn quite like it has in 50,000 miles. They dont make them like they used too.

 

[tom7035]

Bottom ball joints W124/Pop up/sliding roof fault.

Will be doing my bottom joints in the next few weeks. No such complications with the W124 (1993) 2.0 is there?

Also slight problem with pop-up/sliding roof which doesn't 'pop-up' anymore. Still slides OK. Faulty switch I presume?

Cheers.

 

[Barraw]

Hi, I'm planning to do this same job this weekend.

Can you confirm what knuckle needs removing? I can't see what you mean.

Can anyone confirm the exact ft lb torque needed for the nut ( I have the proper socket).

Many thanks.

 

[Barraw]

Ps I'm planning to replace wishbone at same time, as bushes are too soft. Does anyone know where to buy poly bushes?

 

[HaydnM]

Different MOT stations seem to have different idea's on these lower ball Joints, not sure if they should have a certain amount of play in them in the first place, I am sure other members can back this up, but my ML had a advisery on the MOT about play at 24,000, no other MOT station ever made any comments about it in any MOT after that.

These ball joints have a hard life, with the weight of the ML, so my tip would be buy good O.E branded ones only i.e Lemforder or TRW or Febi

Ball joints from the factor will come from anywhere regardless of branded box other than above, no point in doing the same job again in a further 12 months time & after all the Factor in the town is not going to pay you for the time it takes to replace.

With TRW or Lemforder you can not go wrong

Lemforder available from Euro Car Parts, make sure you ask for Lemforder, TRW a little harder to track down in UK aftermarket.

 

[Barraw]

ok, thanks, I'll do that

 

[drdre78]

hi you can buy special tool for removing them from german and swedish.