Ball Joints
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Super Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 987
Likes: 5
Ball Joints
Ok, I recently started hearing this really loud and annoying squeecky sound when I hit bumps and turn into parking sports, I talked to a MB tech who immediately said I needed new ball joints (00 S500 60k miles). Sounds simple. I made my appointment for Monday but untill then I need advise on doing this myself. I need someone who has done this to tell me how easy/hard it is to replace these ball joints. The MB guy says parts are like $40-60 but labor is a wharping $800 (did I mention plus tax?). Mmmhhhhhh. Is this something I can do myself? I have replaced my shocks on my 02 suburban with ease and done a couple of brake jobs without any problems on my Maxima & suburban. Would I need any kind of special tool for this? Is it more like take the old out and put the new or is more involved? Anyone that knows this well please help.
Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
2000 S500
I had mine replaced by a local MB tech (non-dealer). It is not a job you want to take on yourself. From what I understand, the most difficult part is removing the old ball joint from the seat. It requires a lot of muscle and most teches would rather replace the entire arm (ball joint included). The parts cost more but labor is less. I think it comes out to about the same. I chose to have the entire arm replaced.
Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
2000 S500
No it was fixed and I haven't had a single problem from the install. One thing I forgot to mention is that you will need an alignment afterwards so it is probably cost effective to replace both passenger and driver side lower ball joints at once.
