Replace Ball joint or complete Front Upper Wishbone/Control arm
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: UK
S600L-2000-w220
Replace Ball joint or complete Front Upper Wishbone/Control arm
Hi,
I was changing wheels yesterday. With the front wheel off the car. I noticed that on the front left (passenger side) I could move the ball joint up and down with my hand (the balljoint is situated at the base of the upper control arm/wishbone and slots into a vertical metal slightly curved silver coloured rod. This ball joint is then screwed into the metal rod via a nut).
I am sure other owners have experienced this. My car had the front right control arm replaced under warranty around 16,000 miles ago. The current mileage is now 46,000m. I now do not have any warranty.
Please would it be possible to offer some advice. First It costs £208 to just replace the ball joint and costs £500 to replace the complete upper control arm. This includes parts, labour and VAT tax. Which option would you go for?
Secondly, is this dangerous or can I put off the repair for two months, as I do very little mileage? I only notice slight vibration through the car when travelling at 65mph to 75mph.
I was changing wheels yesterday. With the front wheel off the car. I noticed that on the front left (passenger side) I could move the ball joint up and down with my hand (the balljoint is situated at the base of the upper control arm/wishbone and slots into a vertical metal slightly curved silver coloured rod. This ball joint is then screwed into the metal rod via a nut).
I am sure other owners have experienced this. My car had the front right control arm replaced under warranty around 16,000 miles ago. The current mileage is now 46,000m. I now do not have any warranty.
Please would it be possible to offer some advice. First It costs £208 to just replace the ball joint and costs £500 to replace the complete upper control arm. This includes parts, labour and VAT tax. Which option would you go for?
Secondly, is this dangerous or can I put off the repair for two months, as I do very little mileage? I only notice slight vibration through the car when travelling at 65mph to 75mph.
Last edited by s600owner; Jul 20, 2007 at 07:28 AM.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: huntington Beach, CA
2000 S500 Designo Edition
you should replace the ball joint. I had it replaced on the front passenger side last month after hearing squeaking noise from the front suspension. It cost me $350USD to fix it.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: UK
S600L-2000-w220
Help!! Front Not Level After Upper Control Arm Replaced
Hi,
I need help with this major problem, please.
I have just replaced the upper control arm on the front passenger side. I went out for a test drive and when I parked on my level driveway I noticed that the front is now lob-sided!
I have the ABC suspension and even when I raise the suspension from within the car the front is still lob-sided.
With the suspension raised to the maximum level, on the driver's side I can fit 4 finger widths between the top of the tyre and the wheelarch. But on the passenger side where the control arm was replaced, I can only fit 2 finger widths between the top of the tyre and the wheelarch.
With the suspension raised to the normal level, on the driver's side I can fit 2 finger widths. But on the passenger side where the control arm was replaced, I can not even fit 1 finger widths.
Please help !!
I need help with this major problem, please.
I have just replaced the upper control arm on the front passenger side. I went out for a test drive and when I parked on my level driveway I noticed that the front is now lob-sided!
I have the ABC suspension and even when I raise the suspension from within the car the front is still lob-sided.
With the suspension raised to the maximum level, on the driver's side I can fit 4 finger widths between the top of the tyre and the wheelarch. But on the passenger side where the control arm was replaced, I can only fit 2 finger widths between the top of the tyre and the wheelarch.
With the suspension raised to the normal level, on the driver's side I can fit 2 finger widths. But on the passenger side where the control arm was replaced, I can not even fit 1 finger widths.
Please help !!
Last edited by s600owner; Jul 23, 2007 at 01:13 PM.
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Weston FL
2007 S550
Replace the ball joints
Don't put off the repair. And If I were you just replace what you needs to be done (Just the ball joints). It costs too much money with these cars if something else goes wrong because of a hesitation. Bite the bullet before one bad thing leads to another!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: UK
S600L-2000-w220
Passenger side front and rear both down by 2 inches!
Hi,
Now not only is the front passenger side is down but also the rear passenger side is also down!
I have taken it to a main dealer and they carried out a complete rodeo check. They say there is no fault in the system, but visually they can see that the passenger side front and rear are down by two inches!
Please does anyone have any ideas?
Now not only is the front passenger side is down but also the rear passenger side is also down!
I have taken it to a main dealer and they carried out a complete rodeo check. They say there is no fault in the system, but visually they can see that the passenger side front and rear are down by two inches!
Please does anyone have any ideas?
Almost a Member!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
2000 S500, 2001 Camry,1996 Honda SUV
Hi,
Now not only is the front passenger side is down but also the rear passenger side is also down!
I have taken it to a main dealer and they carried out a complete rodeo check. They say there is no fault in the system, but visually they can see that the passenger side front and rear are down by two inches!
Please does anyone have any ideas?
Now not only is the front passenger side is down but also the rear passenger side is also down!
I have taken it to a main dealer and they carried out a complete rodeo check. They say there is no fault in the system, but visually they can see that the passenger side front and rear are down by two inches!
Please does anyone have any ideas?
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: UK
S600L-2000-w220
.
Hi Winmaw,
Do you know which connectors specifically would control the level of the vehicle when stationary or on the move?
For the ABC system, there is a metal rod screwed into the upper control arm. This I think controls the level of the front left passenger wheel (not sure..).
Do you know which connectors specifically would control the level of the vehicle when stationary or on the move?
For the ABC system, there is a metal rod screwed into the upper control arm. This I think controls the level of the front left passenger wheel (not sure..).
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 377
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
Hi,
Now not only is the front passenger side is down but also the rear passenger side is also down!
I have taken it to a main dealer and they carried out a complete rodeo check. They say there is no fault in the system, but visually they can see that the passenger side front and rear are down by two inches!
Please does anyone have any ideas?
Now not only is the front passenger side is down but also the rear passenger side is also down!
I have taken it to a main dealer and they carried out a complete rodeo check. They say there is no fault in the system, but visually they can see that the passenger side front and rear are down by two inches!
Please does anyone have any ideas?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 29
From: Sydney, Australia
190D 2.5 (x2), 190E 2.6, W202 C240,W202 C43 (C55), W210 E55, W212 E250CDI
If the level sensor isn't correctly located on the upper control arm then it sends false readings to the airmatic or ABC control unit. The lop-sided vehicle "looks" level to the computer and therefor leaves no fault code.
Recheck the sensor position (not the control rod) on the upper control arm.
Recheck the sensor position (not the control rod) on the upper control arm.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: UK
S600L-2000-w220
.
Thanks for your reply.
My S600 is now back with a mercedes main dealer. I will contact the shop manager and let him know that he should check the correct fitting of the sensor (which looks like a black box underneath the left arm of the upper control arm).
But why would one level sensor on the front passenger side also cause the passenger side rear to also drop by the same amount?
My S600 is now back with a mercedes main dealer. I will contact the shop manager and let him know that he should check the correct fitting of the sensor (which looks like a black box underneath the left arm of the upper control arm).
But why would one level sensor on the front passenger side also cause the passenger side rear to also drop by the same amount?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: UK
S600L-2000-w220
.
Hi,
The merc main dealer has advised that my S600L requires a new front pressure relief control valve and a complete ABC filter and hydraulic fluid flush. This will now cost me £915 to put right!
Apparently this is not related to the control arm I replaced and could have happened at anytime, due to microscopic metallic pieces found in the ABC fluid ending up in the front control valve.
There is also a rear control valve, which should not be affected after the flushing.
The MB dealer has guaranteed the control valve part for a two year period.
Painful as it is to be paying one's own money, I guess this goes with the territory of owning a flagship merc with the latest advanced technology.
I now hope I can drive my German bullet worry free for a few more years to come!
The merc main dealer has advised that my S600L requires a new front pressure relief control valve and a complete ABC filter and hydraulic fluid flush. This will now cost me £915 to put right!
Apparently this is not related to the control arm I replaced and could have happened at anytime, due to microscopic metallic pieces found in the ABC fluid ending up in the front control valve.
There is also a rear control valve, which should not be affected after the flushing.
The MB dealer has guaranteed the control valve part for a two year period.
Painful as it is to be paying one's own money, I guess this goes with the territory of owning a flagship merc with the latest advanced technology.
I now hope I can drive my German bullet worry free for a few more years to come!
Last edited by s600owner; Jul 26, 2007 at 11:18 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 377
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
Hi,
The merc main dealer has advised that my S600L requires a new front pressure relief control valve and a complete ABC filter and hydraulic fluid flush. This will now cost me £915 to put right!
Apparently this is not related to the control arm I replaced and could have happened at anytime, due to microscopic metallic pieces found in the ABC fluid ending up in the front control valve.
There is also a rear control valve, which should not be affected after the flushing.
The MB dealer has guaranteed the control valve part for a two year period.
Painful as it is to be paying one's own money, I guess this goes with the territory of owning a flagship merc with the latest advanced technology.
I now hope I can drive my German bullet worry free for a few more years to come!
The merc main dealer has advised that my S600L requires a new front pressure relief control valve and a complete ABC filter and hydraulic fluid flush. This will now cost me £915 to put right!
Apparently this is not related to the control arm I replaced and could have happened at anytime, due to microscopic metallic pieces found in the ABC fluid ending up in the front control valve.
There is also a rear control valve, which should not be affected after the flushing.
The MB dealer has guaranteed the control valve part for a two year period.
Painful as it is to be paying one's own money, I guess this goes with the territory of owning a flagship merc with the latest advanced technology.
I now hope I can drive my German bullet worry free for a few more years to come!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 377
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
BTW, in the US we have a recall for an ABC failure:
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?p=2339358
I know that typically European owners are left to twist in the wind on such defects, but you should have your dealer check for this corrosion, common in early W220 ABC-equipped vehicles.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?p=2339358
I know that typically European owners are left to twist in the wind on such defects, but you should have your dealer check for this corrosion, common in early W220 ABC-equipped vehicles.
