Going blind reading posts.
Quick question.
I have a '98' E430 with a lower ball joint that has some play in it and I get a lot of vibration at 80mph on that wheel only. The lower ball joint seems to be the problem.
What is involved in replacing it?
Remove caliper, rotor, dust shield?
Support lower control arm?
And will I need a air chisel with a fork to pop it loose?

Thanks,

Steve

 

First support lower control arm so that the spring doesn't let go?

Remove caliper and rotor then turn the dust shield out of the way? there is a bracket that hold the wheel sensor magnet and the brake lines that needs to be disconnected as well.

Back the nut off of the ball joint to the last few threads. Tap it with a brass hammer. The shop uses a pulling tool that cups over the fitting and screws a bolt in to free the ball joint but a hammer works too.

To install the new ball joint you may have to pull down on the upper control arm to get it to line up. Make sure the new one goes in as far as the original one. If it is the correct part it will.

 

Thanks for the help Dr. E
I greatly appreciate it and look forward to fixing this vibration.

 

B4 you do a major job like that, are you sure its not wheel balance?