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Ball Joints
- Thread starter 46Dodge
- Start date
Cheers!
Assuming you have the early control arms, this should help Best Bushing/Ball Joint brand for LCA ? | Brakes, Suspension and Steering
Regards,
D
Assuming you have the early control arms, this should help Best Bushing/Ball Joint brand for LCA ? | Brakes, Suspension and Steering
Regards,
D
Hello,
I took my 1993 500E into my mechanic today with the ball joints and he said I need the the complete left and right side control arms with the ball joints already in them. Would anyone have the part numbers for these??? Also, he stated he cannot find the info on the front end alignment information for a 500E and was wondering if the 400 alignment specs would work?
Any help would be greatly appreciated? Thanks!!
I took my 1993 500E into my mechanic today with the ball joints and he said I need the the complete left and right side control arms with the ball joints already in them. Would anyone have the part numbers for these??? Also, he stated he cannot find the info on the front end alignment information for a 500E and was wondering if the 400 alignment specs would work?
Any help would be greatly appreciated? Thanks!!
The late-style lower control arms (LCA's) with non-replaceable ball joints have been NLA from Mercedes for a while now. Ball joint failures in these late LCA's is pretty rare, often they can be refreshed with a new dust boot, adding grease, and new bushings. Did your mechanic say what exactly was wrong with the ball joint or LCA? If the ball joints are bad or the LCA is otherwise damaged, your options are:
1) Buy new late-style OE Sportline LCA's, p/n 124-330-36-07 and -37-07... IF you can get them. The right side (#37) is showing as NLA at MB Classic. If you can't get new ones, uh-oh.
2) Obtain good used LCA's (tight ball joints) and refresh as described above (boots, grease, bushings). Any 124 with M104 engine is an acceptable donor, also any 400E/E420.
3) Last resort is gambling on aftermarket LCA's which have some history of short balljoint lifespan. If you get aftermarket LCA's, add grease (Jono says they often are under-greased), and inspect the joint for vertical play at every oil change.
The 400E/E420 alignment specs are NOT the same! Do not use them. Alignment specs are in the PDF linked below, look for the 124.036 chassis data in Section C. Make sure your mechanic uses a spreader bar when setting toe.
Thank you! Where would you recommend me to buy the new LCA ? The mechanic said the bushing and ball joint is bad and I should replace the whole LCA?(drivers side) The ball junk clunks when backing out of the garage? Would you replace both sides?The late-style lower control arms (LCA's) with non-replaceable ball joints have been NLA from Mercedes for a while now. Ball joint failures in these late LCA's is pretty rare, often they can be refreshed with a new dust boot, adding grease, and new bushings. Did your mechanic say what exactly was wrong with the ball joint or LCA? If the ball joints are bad or the LCA is otherwise damaged, your options are:
1) Buy new late-style OE Sportline LCA's, p/n 124-330-36-07 and -37-07... IF you can get them. The right side (#37) is showing as NLA at MB Classic. If you can't get new ones, uh-oh.
2) Obtain good used LCA's (tight ball joints) and refresh as described above (boots, grease, bushings). Any 124 with M104 engine is an acceptable donor, also any 400E/E420.
3) Last resort is gambling on aftermarket LCA's which have some history of short balljoint lifespan. If you get aftermarket LCA's, add grease (Jono says they often are under-greased), and inspect the joint for vertical play at every oil change.
The 400E/E420 alignment specs are NOT the same! Do not use them. Alignment specs are in the PDF linked below, look for the 124.036 chassis data in Section C. Make sure your mechanic uses a spreader bar when setting toe.
You'll have to contact your favorite dealership and see if they can get the part numbers above. Definitely replace both at the same time if possible.
Ball joints don't typically make noise when backing out of the garage IME, but it is possible. I'd like to know how he tested this. The factory procedure is to pry upward below the joint with the car on the ground (generally requires a 4-post lift, or ramps, to do this). If there is vertical play, the joint is bad. The bushings can get oil soaked from P/S or other leaks on the driver side, these are available separately. If you install new ones, save the old for failure analysis and possible refurbishment/spares.
GSXR..Thanks for all the help. When I get on the MB site it says the part numbers above do not fit the 93 500E?You'll have to contact your favorite dealership and see if they can get the part numbers above. Definitely replace both at the same time if possible.
Ball joints don't typically make noise when backing out of the garage IME, but it is possible. I'd like to know how he tested this. The factory procedure is to pry upward below the joint with the car on the ground (generally requires a 4-post lift, or ramps, to do this). If there is vertical play, the joint is bad. The bushings can get oil soaked from P/S or other leaks on the driver side, these are available separately. If you install new ones, save the old for failure analysis and possible refurbishment/spares.
Don't use that site to confirm fitment. And if you order from an online dealer, don't provide your VIN either, they may cancel the order.
The Sportline LCA's were not original equipment on the 500E and the dealer will tell you the same thing (they "don't fit"). The only difference is the Sportline LCA's have stiffer rubber bushings. They "fit" fine but the ride will be firmer. Unfortunately you don't have much choice, although you could remove the new Sportline bushings and install standard bushings if you really don't like the difference in ride...
