Steering suspension
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Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 19
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e350
Steering suspension
I have a question please don’t kill me for asking
I had my tires changed at Costco and the guy said the passenger tire was wearing uneven, that being said I drove it home and jacked the front up and the driver side is tight but the passenger side 3&9 position is tight but the 12&6 position has some play. Does anybody know what that could be or is it common and I drove it this morning and it does have a slight pull to the right. I know it is a loaded question just checking my options before getting alignment
I had my tires changed at Costco and the guy said the passenger tire was wearing uneven, that being said I drove it home and jacked the front up and the driver side is tight but the passenger side 3&9 position is tight but the 12&6 position has some play. Does anybody know what that could be or is it common and I drove it this morning and it does have a slight pull to the right. I know it is a loaded question just checking my options before getting alignment
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 545
Likes: 87
From: Southern California
So 3&9, I'm thinking would be a tie rod.
12&6 could be the upper and/or lower ball joint. Not sure what year your car is, but if your upper ball joint is held to the upper wishbone with 3 bolts, then the ball joint can be easily removed and replaced. I'm talking about something like part #A0003301007. Lower ball joint, you would need a ball joint clamp to remove it off the knuckle. So the upper is DIY doable, the part is roughly $30~40. The lower, if you have the special tool and experience in doing it, then go ahead. But if not, this would be for a mechanic, preferably someone who has worked on Mercedes before.
If it was the wheel bearing, I assume there would be play in every position. The spring control arm also has a ball joint at the end that attaches to the knuckle. That ball joint may be bad and is letting the wheel move.
12&6 could be the upper and/or lower ball joint. Not sure what year your car is, but if your upper ball joint is held to the upper wishbone with 3 bolts, then the ball joint can be easily removed and replaced. I'm talking about something like part #A0003301007. Lower ball joint, you would need a ball joint clamp to remove it off the knuckle. So the upper is DIY doable, the part is roughly $30~40. The lower, if you have the special tool and experience in doing it, then go ahead. But if not, this would be for a mechanic, preferably someone who has worked on Mercedes before.
If it was the wheel bearing, I assume there would be play in every position. The spring control arm also has a ball joint at the end that attaches to the knuckle. That ball joint may be bad and is letting the wheel move.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 545
Likes: 87
From: Southern California
First you would need to get the car on a lift. Then get a pry bar and start prying things. What you want to check for is any movement where the ball joints are. Good thing is that you can compare the driver's side against the passenger side. Since you said the driver's side wheel is tight, there is probably no movement in those ball joints.
