DIY procedures?: rear shock replacment, front ball joints and front tie rods
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, WI
2000 ML320, 2000 Audi TT Quattro Coupe Modified, 1996 NSX-T Modified
DIY procedures?: rear shock replacment, front ball joints and front tie rods
Now had 3 different dealers confirm a few items that the ML needs 
Rear shocks are leaking- I am getting a squeak anytime I go over a bump, get in the truck, etc. They need to be replaced. Dealer cost: $1546.50
Front ball joints are loose according to two mechanics. Also need to be replaced. Dealer cost $1145.00
Front tie rods need to be replaced also on the front. Cost for the dealer: $415.00
He said I also should get a coolant flush, brake flush and an alignment for the above components- each is $145.00.
Finally my horns ($270) don't work and rear trunk does not lock so I need a new locking mechanism ($420).
What am I going to need to do these repairs. The dealership does sell a repair manual correct, is it any good? Also anyone have any good DIY guides for any of the above repairs. Also what are some good online parts vendors to keep the cost of parts down. I do a lot of wrench work on my Audi TT, and I have full access to a lift, hand and air tools- for $35 a day.
I'm a little clueless on my ML vs. my TT, so I feel like I need to kinda start from scratch in finding the guides and instructions over on this forum. Any help would be very appreciated!
Rear shocks are leaking- I am getting a squeak anytime I go over a bump, get in the truck, etc. They need to be replaced. Dealer cost: $1546.50
Front ball joints are loose according to two mechanics. Also need to be replaced. Dealer cost $1145.00
Front tie rods need to be replaced also on the front. Cost for the dealer: $415.00
He said I also should get a coolant flush, brake flush and an alignment for the above components- each is $145.00.
Finally my horns ($270) don't work and rear trunk does not lock so I need a new locking mechanism ($420).
What am I going to need to do these repairs. The dealership does sell a repair manual correct, is it any good? Also anyone have any good DIY guides for any of the above repairs. Also what are some good online parts vendors to keep the cost of parts down. I do a lot of wrench work on my Audi TT, and I have full access to a lift, hand and air tools- for $35 a day.
I'm a little clueless on my ML vs. my TT, so I feel like I need to kinda start from scratch in finding the guides and instructions over on this forum. Any help would be very appreciated!
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Now had 3 different dealers confirm a few items that the ML needs
Rear shocks are leaking- I am getting a squeak anytime I go over a bump, get in the truck, etc. They need to be replaced. Dealer cost: $1546.50
Front ball joints are loose according to two mechanics. Also need to be replaced. Dealer cost $1145.00
Front tie rods need to be replaced also on the front. Cost for the dealer: $415.00
He said I also should get a coolant flush, brake flush and an alignment for the above components- each is $145.00.
Finally my horns ($270) don't work and rear trunk does not lock so I need a new locking mechanism ($420).
What am I going to need to do these repairs. The dealership does sell a repair manual correct, is it any good? Also anyone have any good DIY guides for any of the above repairs. Also what are some good online parts vendors to keep the cost of parts down. I do a lot of wrench work on my Audi TT, and I have full access to a lift, hand and air tools- for $35 a day.
I'm a little clueless on my ML vs. my TT, so I feel like I need to kinda start from scratch in finding the guides and instructions over on this forum. Any help would be very appreciated!
Rear shocks are leaking- I am getting a squeak anytime I go over a bump, get in the truck, etc. They need to be replaced. Dealer cost: $1546.50
Front ball joints are loose according to two mechanics. Also need to be replaced. Dealer cost $1145.00
Front tie rods need to be replaced also on the front. Cost for the dealer: $415.00
He said I also should get a coolant flush, brake flush and an alignment for the above components- each is $145.00.
Finally my horns ($270) don't work and rear trunk does not lock so I need a new locking mechanism ($420).
What am I going to need to do these repairs. The dealership does sell a repair manual correct, is it any good? Also anyone have any good DIY guides for any of the above repairs. Also what are some good online parts vendors to keep the cost of parts down. I do a lot of wrench work on my Audi TT, and I have full access to a lift, hand and air tools- for $35 a day.
I'm a little clueless on my ML vs. my TT, so I feel like I need to kinda start from scratch in finding the guides and instructions over on this forum. Any help would be very appreciated!
Rear shocks are standard Mcpherson cost $65 each. Check your local papers for discount on installation from any independent repair shops. I would estimate $200-400 max on cost (parts and labor). If you better stuff, go with Blistein Shocks (front and rear) for $545 shipped from online vendors. Pay a tire/repair shop to install them ( labor cost will be $150-200 to install).
Any independent shop can repair/replace the ball joint. Parts is $145 (oem ) and shop rate usually around $100-150 installations.
Front tie-rod requires the removal of some nuts and bolt-- You can totally DIY.. Cost for part at any dealership $85.
Coolent flush you can do that yourself--Let your car cool overnight, Remove the radiator plug, Garden hose goes on top, and flush your system until water runs clear, refill with OEM coolant (cost $15)
Brake flush-- local repair shop can do that $65--
Alignment--$85 for all wheel alignment
Horn-- online sells them $25 bucks or your local salvage yard
Trunk locks easy replacment- Cost $65 parts and usually take your DIY about 30 minutes to replace--removal of couple of screws
If you have access to a lift and power tools, then it would be a quick DIY
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,212
Likes: 9
From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
rear shocks and springs... will require a special wrench... Will be significantly more then a $200 job. Ball joints will also require a special tool, if you buy the tool, its a DIY job as well. Brake fluid flush is easy if you purchase a fluid evacuator... Also not sure where you are buying your Bilstien shocks? The bilstiens HDs for my ML55 at cost were like $700
Radiator flush doesnt require needing it to cool over night... let it to cool while you are doing everything else but yeah, pretty easy to doo as well... Most of this stuff is pretty easy... and sometimes requires some special tools or patience
Radiator flush doesnt require needing it to cool over night... let it to cool while you are doing everything else but yeah, pretty easy to doo as well... Most of this stuff is pretty easy... and sometimes requires some special tools or patience
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1
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ML430
ML430 rear shock/spring replacement
[QUOTE=55fanatic;2793307]rear shocks and springs... will require a special wrench... Will be significantly more then a $200 job.
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I am planning on replacing the rear shock/springs on my '99 ML430. While I have maintained all vehicles we have owned over the (many) years, you note this requires a special tool (versus a somewhat standard set of nuts and bolts) that affix the top and bottom.
So before I get into this, what kind of special tool are we talking about?
thanks much!
---------
I am planning on replacing the rear shock/springs on my '99 ML430. While I have maintained all vehicles we have owned over the (many) years, you note this requires a special tool (versus a somewhat standard set of nuts and bolts) that affix the top and bottom.
So before I get into this, what kind of special tool are we talking about?
thanks much!
