Lower Ball Joints DIY Question
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 526
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From: ChiTown
e46 m3, w211 e55
Lower Ball Joints DIY Question
Getting some sqeeking and think its the LBJ's. Is a press required to do the swap? If so will the ones from autozone etc that you can rent work or do I need to order the mercedes one?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 526
Likes: 4
From: ChiTown
e46 m3, w211 e55
Awesome - does anyone have the link? Probably should just take it to mercedes... but something kinda fun to wrench on the car and learn a bit more.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 332
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From: WEST PALM BEACH
W211 E55 AMG
Can you confirm that these tools would also work for the upper ball joints? I’m trying to decide which ball joint press to purchase from amazon....
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 332
Likes: 7
From: WEST PALM BEACH
W211 E55 AMG
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 329
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From: Virginia, USA
2005 c230
I did all 4 of my control arms recently. To me, at 95k miles, I felt it was more cost effective to replace the entire arms which inclided ball joints/bushings already installed. Got them from FCP..Lemforder and MOOG were the part brands supplied..quality seemed top notch during install, and after a few hundred miles of driving, same.
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 369
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07' E63
I replaced both Torque Arms as well as attempted to replace both inner Bushings on the Strut Control Arm (but only managed to have one guy attempt only one) as well as put in new Ball Joints down below and installed F1 Upper Camber Correcting Control Arms. In the process, I also installed new front rotors (Racing Brake) and pads. I intended on rebuilding both front hubs, but since they weren't giving any play, I ended up leaving them alone. I must admit though that after taking off the Bearing Covers I couldn't figure how to unscrew the locking Set-Clamp as it's just recessed enough within the circumference of the hole that I couldn't get a tool on it (major head scratcher!!).
Anyways, since after attempting at manually driving out the BJ's and finding it more of pain to do on the ground, I popped out of both Tie Rods and disconnected them from the Steering Swivel and placed the Swivels it in my vice and used my DeWalt Impact Driver to both drive the BJ's out and properly seat them in. Having it on the bench is great because you have the leverage from above to drive the BJ in while being able to see just how much more you have to drive it in with the Impact Driver millimeter by millimeter until it seats just right!!! Very much worth it as I could definitely see coming up a bit short doing it manually. Also, freezing the BJ's before install is highly recommended!
Anyways, since after attempting at manually driving out the BJ's and finding it more of pain to do on the ground, I popped out of both Tie Rods and disconnected them from the Steering Swivel and placed the Swivels it in my vice and used my DeWalt Impact Driver to both drive the BJ's out and properly seat them in. Having it on the bench is great because you have the leverage from above to drive the BJ in while being able to see just how much more you have to drive it in with the Impact Driver millimeter by millimeter until it seats just right!!! Very much worth it as I could definitely see coming up a bit short doing it manually. Also, freezing the BJ's before install is highly recommended!
Last edited by E63007; Sep 2, 2018 at 01:20 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2018
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From: Atlanta, GA
W211 E63 AMG | W205 C43 AMG
Here's a good video that I found:
I'm planning on swapping mine within the next couple of weeks. From everything that I have seen and read, it looks like the press from AutoZone will work fine.
I'm planning on swapping mine within the next couple of weeks. From everything that I have seen and read, it looks like the press from AutoZone will work fine.
