Are ball joints supposed to be loose?
11-14-2016, 10:16 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Are ball joints supposed to be loose?
Hello, this is a general question that applied so far to my W211, W203 and R230.
I have been changing ball joints or different arms that had ball joints for many years. They joint itself was always so tight in its socket that I had to use a socket wrench in order to align it with the hole.
For the last year all the joints that I am buying have the ball so loose that I can almost feel a play in it. This goes also for brands like Febi, Bilstein, not only Hamburg Technic.
Anybody knows if this a new thing or the quality overall went in the toilet?
Thank you,
Radu
I have been changing ball joints or different arms that had ball joints for many years. They joint itself was always so tight in its socket that I had to use a socket wrench in order to align it with the hole.
For the last year all the joints that I am buying have the ball so loose that I can almost feel a play in it. This goes also for brands like Febi, Bilstein, not only Hamburg Technic.
Anybody knows if this a new thing or the quality overall went in the toilet?
Thank you,
Radu
11-14-2016, 09:28 PM
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Try Lemförder - I bought tie rod ends a couple months ago, they were old-school 
If 'new' joints already have play I imagine that will lead to accelerated wear and premature failure...
Febi are repackaging parts from what I understand. Bilstein mostly makes shocks, not sure about ball joints etc?
If 'new' joints already have play I imagine that will lead to accelerated wear and premature failure...
Febi are repackaging parts from what I understand. Bilstein mostly makes shocks, not sure about ball joints etc?
