W211 DIY Lower Control Arm and Ball Joint Change
Why?
Dealer wanted $66x2 for ball joints and $400 for Labor. For the Lower control arm $290x2 and another $400 for labor – a total of $1,500
I decided to change it myself. I purchased both Ball joints on ebay for $53 (free shipping), and both lower control arm for $162 (including shipping).
I had to buy two special tools. 1) Ball Joint Separator $35 (including shipping) and 2) Ball joint Remover/Installer $92.00 (including shipping) – a total of $342.
This job will save me over $1150.00.
1) Jack up front of the car, put jack sands on both sides, leave the jack in the middle, put stopping blocks on both rear wheels.
2) Take the front wheels off, remove the dust pans from under the car.
3) Loosen the 21mm nut on the ball joint (top) and the 21mm nut on the lower control arm ball joint (bottom).
4) Use the Ball Joint Separator tool, break loose both ball joints. I highly recommend this tool!! Use an impact wrench if you can, when the ball joint breaks loose, it is quite violent.
.
5) The other end of the lower control arm, loosen the nut and bolt that holds the body (9/16 - 12 point socket and a 21mm socket).
6) Remove the Lower control arm.
7) Lower the steering knuckle out of the way, then Put the Ball Joint Remover/Installer Tool on the Ball Joint, press the old ball joint out. YOU MUST HAVE THIS TOOL, THIS JOB CANNOT BE DONE WITHOUT IT. ALSO, YOU WILL NEED TWO BREAKER BARS. ALSO CANNOT BE DONE WITH OUT IT.
8) Using the same Ball Joint Remover/Installer Tool, press the new ball joint in.
9) Put the steering knuckle, ball joint back together, tighten the ball joint.
10) Put the new lower control arm back in place, tighten the ball joint, and the nut and bolt on the other end.
11) Put the dust pans back
12) Put your wheels back on
13) Lower the car. You just saved over $1,150.00!
Now, go take a look at my write up on DIY W211 Front End Alignment!
http://mercedes-diy-alignment.blogspot.com/
I have the same car as you. I looked at my ball joints and saw that the one connected to the control arm with the nut facing down was torn. I ordered ball joints for the steering knuckle which look exactly like the ones in your first picture. Have I ordered the wrong one? Because there was also a ball joint for the control arm mid section without the lip. Great blog by the way!
ReplyDeleteHi! hope you're still reading this posts...
ReplyDeleteFirst of all thanks a million for the very detailed how-to, I wasn't sure how to go about this one without a hydraulic press to remove the ball joint (never seen the remover tool before) so you just saved me a few bucks!
Two questions that still remain:
- Do you know the torque that must be applied to the joint nuts and the torque that must be applied to the installer tool when you fit the new ball joint?
Thanks again man, I owe you a few beers if you ever come to Dublin!
Wow! If only I can do what you did. I am having the same problem with my E320. Dealer wants $1693.69
ReplyDeleteHi, We also supply ,ball joint, universal joint with of good quality. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteInteresting and valuable Post.
ReplyDeleteIt is helpful for everyone.
Thanks for sharing with us.
Wheel Alignment
Thank you so much, you saved me a lot of money. It was hard removing/installing the ball joints, but boy was it worth it in the end. Thanks again, if you ever see this
ReplyDeleteGreat post, going to attempt this myself, may tackle upper ball joints while at it. BTW are the ball joints available seperatly for the control arm ? What is the torque settings for the ball joint nuts? Again great post, thank you.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, going to attempt this myself, may tackle upper ball joints while at it. BTW are the ball joints available seperatly for the control arm ? What is the torque settings for the ball joint nuts? Again great post, thank you.
ReplyDeleteBall Joints for control arm come as one part with arm
ReplyDelete1. Jack up front of the car, put jack sands on both sides, leave the jack in the middle, put stopping blocks on both rear wheels.
ReplyDelete2. Take the front wheels off, remove the dust pans from under the car.
3. Loosen the 21mm nut on the ball joint (top) and the 21mm nut on the lower control arm ball joint (bottom).
4. Use the Ball Joint Separator tool, break loose both ball joints. I highly recommend this tool!! Use an impact wrench if you can, when the ball joint breaks loose, it is quite violent.
5. The other end of the lower control arm, loosen the nut and bolt that holds the body (9/16 – 12 point socket and a 21mm socket).
6. Remove the Lower control arm.
7. Lower the steering knuckle out of the way, then Put the Ball Joint Remover/Installer Tool on the Ball Joint, press the old ball joint out.
8. Using the same Ball Joint Remover/Installer Tool, press the new ball joint in.
9. Put the steering knuckle, ball joint back together, tighten the ball joint.
10.Put the new lower control arm back in place, tighten the ball joint, and the nut and bolt on the other end.
11. Put the dust pans back.
12. Put your wheels back on.
13. Lower the car.
http://techprotools.blogspot.com/
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