kepla

The time has come again for the annual inspection (known as an 'MOT test' here in Britain) and my 190E needs a lower ball joint replacing on the front suspension - this is the joint which allows the hub carrier to swivel on the lower wishbone. Also known as a 'steering swivel' or 'kingpin' I guess.
Anyone got details of the procedure for replacing this and know of any reason why it couldn't be done at home ?
It seems that the ball joint itself is cheap enough and is simply bolted to the hub carrier - but I can't see how it is fixed to the lower wishbone !

MTI

Removal is typically just cutting the joint out. Replacement of the ball joint requires a press. If you don't have a press, and don't fancy buying one just for this, consider what the service department does . . . replace the lower control arm that has the ball joint built in. They run about $275 here in the states while the ball joints are about $25 each.

kepla

I can get the ball joint for about £18 and the wishbone/arm for about £60 at my local Mercedes-Benz parts dept - double those figures for dollar equivalents. That would still leave me with a ball joint which needs pressing into the wishbone ! Seems like I can't win with this one - either I buy myself an hydraulic press or pay somebody else to fit the ball joint and wishbone together. Not good news - I had hoped for better !

MTI

Here in the states, when you buy a new lower control arm, I believe that the ball joint is already attached.

If you do that labor to remove the control arm, take it and the new ball joint to a shop, pressing in the joint should take 10 minutes and off you go.