Replacing ball joint in front suspension.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 57
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From: Manchester, England
1993 Mercedes 190E
Replacing ball joint in front suspension.
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 !
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 !
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Scottsdale, Arizonai
'85 190E 2.3-16 '99 C280 '11 GLK350
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.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Manchester, England
1993 Mercedes 190E
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 ! 
Not good news - I had hoped for better !
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, Arizonai
'85 190E 2.3-16 '99 C280 '11 GLK350
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.
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.
Last edited by MTI; Jan 1, 2007 at 12:40 PM.
