R-Class (W251) Produced 2006-2013: R320CDI, R350, R420CDI, R500

Rear ball joint squeaking...

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Old Jul 8, 2012 | 02:59 PM
  #1  
a930rocket's Avatar
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From: Mount Pleasant SC
R350
Rear ball joint squeaking...

Look like the right rear ball joint is squeaking. I've taken off the sway bar link, the rear shock and the air spring. Still squeaks when pushed up and down. Using a stethoscope has the squeak at the ball joint, not any bushings.

Anybody replace theirs?

Does the old one press out?

Any special tools (besides a ball joint socket to install the new one)?

Thanks!
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Old Jul 14, 2012 | 09:04 PM
  #2  
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From: Mount Pleasant SC
R350
...crickets chirping...
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Old Jul 18, 2012 | 07:52 AM
  #3  
josworth's Avatar
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From: Akron, OH
2006 R350
Suscribed.... but not much help since I haven't dug into ours that far yet...

It is interesting how little DIY help is out there...
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Old Jul 23, 2012 | 09:14 AM
  #4  
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2008 R320 CDI, 2006 smart fortwo cabrio, 1983 240D, 1982 300SD, 1980 300SD
Ok, two things you can do BEFORE you change it! Easiest is pierce the rubber boot on the balljoint and spray grease or oil inside, something that is gooey and heavy not wd40. Once it is flooded inside clean the boot and dab some silicon over the tiny hole to seal it shut.
Or if your more talented and have the time to improve things install a grease fitting on the cap side of the balljoint if accessible it may be blind on the backside I have not looked at mine yet- so it looks just like a domestic product from the 70s. Yes you can do that, requires a drill bit and self taping grease fitting and grease gun. Either method will get rid of squeaky balljoints, it will not help the balljoint if it is already worn out though...
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Old Jul 23, 2012 | 07:04 PM
  #5  
a930rocket's Avatar
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From: Mount Pleasant SC
R350
Good ideas h-o-d. I can try the injection first, then tapping a fitting. It'll buy me time and confirm the bad ball joint.
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Old Jul 25, 2012 | 05:50 AM
  #6  
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From: Akron, OH
2006 R350
Originally Posted by houseofdiesel
Ok, two things you can do BEFORE you change it! Easiest is pierce the rubber boot on the balljoint and spray grease or oil inside, something that is gooey and heavy not wd40. Once it is flooded inside clean the boot and dab some silicon over the tiny hole to seal it shut.
Or if your more talented and have the time to improve things install a grease fitting on the cap side of the balljoint if accessible it may be blind on the backside I have not looked at mine yet- so it looks just like a domestic product from the 70s. Yes you can do that, requires a drill bit and self taping grease fitting and grease gun. Either method will get rid of squeaky balljoints, it will not help the balljoint if it is already worn out though...
Neat tip that got me thinking..... Use the "pierce" method and use a syringe medicine dispenser that you get for kids liquid medicine to "inject" suspension grease into the joint.
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Old Jul 25, 2012 | 06:53 AM
  #7  
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From: Garden State
02ML320/06R350
do you have any pic on where the lower ball joint is. Thanks.
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Old Jul 25, 2012 | 09:32 AM
  #8  
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2008 R320 CDI, 2006 smart fortwo cabrio, 1983 240D, 1982 300SD, 1980 300SD
You can even get nice fine tips for the grease gun and inject that way also, they look like an inflator for a basketball type of tip. The best is to tap the backside, however I think they maybe pressed into a cast piece that covers the backside, have to crawl around and look. The balljoint is just inside the rear wheel, very bottom.
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