Procedure for inspecing Ball Joints on 190e (1986)

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Martin Joseph - 26 Aug 2005 21:09 GMT

I am wondering what the best procedure is for testing the ball joints
on the my 1986 201?

When I go over a bump and the chassis is moving upward I hear a slight clunk.

Also, how much should an independent garage charge me to replace these
(estimate obviously). I presume that in this design the lower ball
joints are the ones that sustain the most wear?

Thanks for any help/ideas/tips on this.

Marty

Reply to this Message

Peter W Peternouschek - 26 Aug 2005 21:34 GMT

With one wheel slightly off the ground insert a crowbar under the wheel and
lift up. You should be able to detect any looseness in the up and down
direction or side play.

Peter

> I am wondering what the best procedure is for testing the ball joints
> on the my 1986 201?
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Marty

Reply to this Message

Wan-ning Tan - 27 Aug 2005 05:35 GMT

I guess you mean "should NOT be able to detect any play". If there is
any play, the ball joint should be replaced. On W201, the ball joint
can be pressed out/in with proper (i.e. high quality, expensive) tool.
Any competent MB shop should be able to do it. My estimation is 1 to
1.5 hours labor for each wheel.

I have seen a neighbor got the ball joint separated while doing parking
(a Ford Mustang). That was not a good sight. He was very luck that did
not happen at other time.

> With one wheel slightly off the ground insert a crowbar under the wheel and
> lift up. You should be able to detect any looseness in the up and down
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>>
>>Marty

Reply to this Message

Josh - 27 Aug 2005 02:27 GMT

I think that the control arm in that model can have a new ball joint pressed
into it. If so, then you could save some major $$$ as the later models are
one piece. Otherwise parts might run you $500 or more. Don't forget to
check your sway bar links while you're poking around down there. They can
cause a "clunk" too, but there a whole heck of a lot cheaper to replace than
ball joints.

Also, try injecting lubricant into the ball joints. This might quiet them
down a little bit (it helped some on my '95 E320).

Josh

Reply to this Message