Folks,

So i replaced the control arms on my 02C230, but instead of using the correct tool as mentioned by Frank I used the pitch fork to yank the control arm out. Now I have the rubber boot on the knuckle end of the conrtol arm ripped/chipped. I dont want to throw away the entire control arm, can just replace the bushings and have a spare set, but my question is; is there a way to fix the the knuckle end of the control arm, the end with the stud/bolt that connects to the knuckle? are there kits avalibale to fix this? with the rubber boot chipped is it still good or scrap and I should just discard it???

Any advise is helpful.....

thank you
Javvy

 

you have any pics of the damage?

 

will post some soon....

 

here are the imgaes















lete me know your thoughts....dont worry about the threads and the rust the threads can be re made and the rust is from sitting outside the garage.....

would like to revive them and replace the bushings and keep them for spare...

Any advise would be helpful....

javvy

 

Phister what do you think.....!!!!

 

you can try searching ebay and typing in "ball joint boot mercedes" they dont have any for our models but I think you can use another models and make it fit. just remember to grease the ball joint before putting the new boot on

 

yep will do thatnk you for your input...

 

Good luck finding a boot.
If that ball joint does not have any play than u can use it, but it will eventually crap out.

The proper way to remove a ball joint, by the way, is by hitting the part on the knuckle where the "bolt" part of the ball joint goes through with a hammer. As hard as you can, with the biggest hammer you have. It will eventually come off, but be careful not to hit the threads and once again not the boot either.
If you cant aim properly with a single hammer, use a second hammer to place on top of the area to hit, and just bang on that hammer

 

thats why most will leave the nut on the shaft of the ball joint and hit it with a rubber mallet. it gives more contact area to hit and it prevents the threads from being damaged.

 

If it can come off with a rubber mallet, it probably wouldve came off if you pulled on it by hand. Meaning it was never stuck. Which I have never seen, even on the 1 or 2 year old cars I find with bad ball joints sometimes

Heavy, metal hammer, as hard as you can on the knuckle and spraying some penetration fluid if it is really stubborn. It will come off eventually. The bigger and harder to hit, the faster it will come off.
Some leave the nut on to protect the threads, but Ive seen some snap right off more often than ive seen someone damage threads really... Thats why the double hammer trick is useful if its a hard to reach area.

 

I couldn't get that off on my car with a hammer, and I beat the crap out of it. I was only able to get if off after a fellow member sent me the proper tool to remove it. I also did install mine with a ripped boot and the ball joint crapped out after a year, so I highly suggest you dont reinstall it that way or you will be replacing it again in the near future.

 

Thank you all for you feedback, I would hate to do this but I think this one is going in the junk and for next time I will buy the tool. What a waste of metal and craftsmanship....only if I had the patience of buying the right tool....live and learn....hopefully can advise some one else from this experience....

Thank You all

Javvy