zedrash

Last few days my ML430 (2001) with about 147000 miles has developed a very loud creaking noise on the drivers side. It is a very metallic screech and i hear it when i get in or out of the vehicle. I opened the hood and pushed down on the frame and it does squeek and creak. what could it be be. ? your advise and help appreciated.

thx

PTE

I brought a Used ML-500 64,000 miles had the same really bad Creaking. I ID my issues by jacking up the drivers side , removed the wheel , Heated up a tiny screw driver and melted a small hole in the lower ball joint boot. Then got some spray Grease , installed the little red tube in the spray nozzle . stuck the tude in the little hole & filled it up. Reintall the wheel. If the Creak subsides , . Then you know you have to replace it. This is a very short term fix. ! the Creak will come back . I replaced both sides & also replaced the Torsion bar adjustment pads while I was there. Cheers _PTEngineering

zedrash

thanks PTE. this creaking is driving me crazy. after reading countless threads i was leaning more towards the sway bar bushings as the culprit. i have had the front and rear lower ball joints replaced at about 114,000 miles and since then i have put on about 33,000 miles. surely these parts should last a bit more then that.

part # 1633300135
# 1633500113

is there a DIY sticky and any special tools for this job.
thanks

zedrash

hey PTE do you happen to have instructions and tools used for this DIY. ?

thanks

Maj. Dundee

[QUOTE=zedrash;5568553]hey PTE do you happen to have instructions and tools used for this DIY. ?

thanks[/QUOTE

One person's problem does not mean it is yours too. Replacing ball joints is time consuming and costly.

Why don't you bring the truck to a front end/alignment shop and they will find the problem in five mins. Then you can decide what you want to do.

zedrash

[quote=Maj. Dundee;5568657]I would not be asking or changing parts just because i think it is an issue. with over 12 years of ownership of this vehicle i have had ball joints done thrice and labour in ontario is pricey.
The local shop diagnosed the creaking noise issue as a lower suspension ball joint replacement on drivers side and recommend i replace both front end ball joints. quote on Labour and parts is about $345 compared to stealership price of $655 for each side.
autohausaz sells them for about $20 bucks each and if i can get the job done myself then willing to invest money in the right tools.

Maj. Dundee

[quote=zedrash;5569022]You never mentioned having the problem diagnosed. And the reason why you keep replacing lower ball joints is because you are going to buy $20 ball joints. Do you honestly think that represents quality? Never heard of PEX parts. Sounds like Taiwan or China to me.

zedrash

[quote=Maj. Dundee;5571416]
If you already checked on autohaus - you will see that they are listed at 140.00 retail - now that is not cheap is it. btw All the replacement changes were OEM made in german parts which did'nt last either so i will take a chance on these, and PEX is also a german company founded in 1977 and a leading OEM supplier.
so going back to my original request I guess there is no one on this site who has done this DIY themselves.

PTE

I did not do a DIY , pictures or write a picture subject. I through there would not be much interest or the subject matter. I'm most sorry. But it is always ok to ask. I don't have a problem with that. When I redid the front suspension on my 05 ML. it had only 66,000 miles. I was a little disappointed that it had many worn parts, and I being the 2nd owner and brought it first the original owner , not knowing how bad the winters were in Minnesota . I excepted the ML's conditions. I was some what shocked at the many worn parts. Not caused by the 1st owner. Lower ball joints, The SACKS shocks , torsion bar adjustment plate pads, I replaced the pads (NOT WITH THE OEM JUNK WHITE NYLON ) but with a set of aftermarket Delrin type. They are tuff as hell & a $100.00 for 2. I also replaced the shocks with Monroe Reflex for a Ford Lighting( Longer stroke & better damping control ) $100.00 a set. As For ball joints I went with the OEM Mercedes 163-330-01-35. Retails for $204.75 I paid under $170.00 a piece. There were many chooses from Rock Auto. If I were to buy from there My choice would have been the premium one with a Grease fitting. I did the whole change out in my home garage , on Jack stands. I used a ball joint separator , I drove the worn out ball Joint out with one hit of a 32oz dead blow Hammer & a Brass hammer acting as a drive plug. The new BJ has a Spanner Nut. so It went to a auto parts store & brought a Spanner socket for a Dana 44 axle nut . $17.00 Then put it in the Lathe and took off .040 ths on the ID , the depth of the sockets drive tangs. You can do this with a Dremel & a stone mounted mandrill. You will see ?? Then off the the Front alignment shop
Cheers _PTEngineering