Ball Joint Removal Without Damage to Boot

Sep 29, 2019 | 07:44 PM

Rallyboy383

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Member

Joined: Dec 2013

Posts: 165

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2004 E55

Ball Joint Removal Without Damage to Boot

I need to replace the front lower control arms on my 2004 E55 AMG. I already replaced the lower ball joints about 25000 miles ago. Is there any way possible to seperate the lower ball joint from the lower control arm without damaging the ball joint boot? The ball joint separator that I have will damage the boot because it is not quite wide enough. Is there one that is made with a wider jaw opening that would work for my purpose? Any recommendations?

Sep 29, 2019 | 11:27 PM

bbirdwell

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Joined: Jan 2014

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From: Republic of Texas

'99 and '05 E55 AMG

Front lower control arm ball joints are not replaceable. The front lower control arms are aluminum; removing and reinstalling the ball joints will result in excess play, i.e. loose fit. Your front lower control arm suffered what is referred to as "infant mortality" with an early failure. Just bite the bullet, replace the control arm, and realign the toe of the front wheels. I feel your pain as I am replacing both lower front control arms after just 72,000 miles which I regard as ridiculous.

Sep 30, 2019 | 03:11 AM

AMGPilot

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Joined: Dec 2009

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From: SOCAL

2004 E55

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbirdwell

That's not correct at all. you can replace the lower ball joint, I have and there is no play or weakening of the control arm

Sep 30, 2019 | 06:36 AM

StarvingArtist

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Joined: Aug 2012

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From: DownEast Maine

CLS 55 AMG E500 ML320

Control arms, thrust arms. Thrust arms are the aluminum ones and can be replaced without taking anything else apart. I ground the tips off my ball joint fork and pounded from the inside, aiming for the backing plate. the tips would have dented the backing plate if I left them on.

Sep 30, 2019 | 11:07 AM

bbirdwell

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From: Republic of Texas

'99 and '05 E55 AMG

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarvingArtist

I was referring to the aluminum thrust arms. From the OP's post, when he said *front* lower control arms, I assumed he means the thrust arms; those are called "strut rods" in the parts diagram and are listed as "control arms" on the Pelican Parts website. Ball joints are available for the rear lower control arm (the steel one). From the below parts diagram, a separate ball joint is not available for the aluminum arm. So, here's a handy picture of the front end to which folks can refer.

FWIW, I was going to replace the "strut rods" this past weekend but realized I did not have the proper bushing bolts; I installed KMac bushings 72,000 miles ago and they use a "D" bolt". So another delay. sigh....

Sep 30, 2019 | 01:21 PM

anomadtoo

Super Member

Joined: Sep 2018

Posts: 525

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From: Seattle

09 E63

I too have to replace my lower control arms; would you all recommend this? https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...mforder-516478
anything else needed or recommended? I appreciate it!

Sep 30, 2019 | 02:25 PM

bbirdwell

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Joined: Jan 2014

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From: Republic of Texas

'99 and '05 E55 AMG

Quote:

Originally Posted by anomadtoo

I too have to replace my lower control arms; would you all recommend this? https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...mforder-516478
anything else needed or recommended? I appreciate it!

If it is just the thrust arms (aka strut rods), yes, that's a good combo. I don't know how much you know about how the bolt insertion position affects the alignment but here is a link to the placement (inner, center, outer):

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ml#post7514643