W210 Ball Joint Replacement
Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 112
Likes: 1
From: DC/VA/MD
C230 Kompressor Sport
Hey,
I know my '99 E430 (166K mi) needs new ball joints and bushings. I've just replaced tires and motor mounts and some other work (i.e. I'm trying to spread these costs out) and cannot get my car back in for service in a while. I have the notorious 'clanking or knocking' sound from the front...I know this is the issue as my tech told me and fits the exact description of earlier posts.
Am I doing any damage if I don't replace this right away? Is it a saftey hazard or will this cause futher damage if I wait a couple more months and few more thousand miles to take care of this?
Thanks! -DL
P.S. I haven't been on the forum in a long while, I went back to grad school...lots of work. Grad school=reason for not having as much money as I want to take care of this German girl's service bills!!!
I know my '99 E430 (166K mi) needs new ball joints and bushings. I've just replaced tires and motor mounts and some other work (i.e. I'm trying to spread these costs out) and cannot get my car back in for service in a while. I have the notorious 'clanking or knocking' sound from the front...I know this is the issue as my tech told me and fits the exact description of earlier posts.
Am I doing any damage if I don't replace this right away? Is it a saftey hazard or will this cause futher damage if I wait a couple more months and few more thousand miles to take care of this?
Thanks! -DL
P.S. I haven't been on the forum in a long while, I went back to grad school...lots of work. Grad school=reason for not having as much money as I want to take care of this German girl's service bills!!!
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 693
Likes: 1
From: Mansfield, TX
11 ML350W2 / 17 GLC300
The ball joints are a safety issue. Worn ball joints cause poor steering. I would doubt that clunk sounds would be from the ball joints. Worn bushings in the suspension would more likely be the cause of the noise. These too could affect the steering but not as much as the ball joints. The anti-roll bars also can cause noise but usually do not affect steering.
