Lower Ball Joint?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 170
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From: San Antonio, TX
2005 E55 AMG
Lower Ball Joint?
Hey guys, I went through my front end about 2 months ago, replacing all control (thrust) arms and ball joints. About a week ago I started getting a pop when turning my wheel left while stationary, or moving very slowly. I can’t recall if the thrust arm was properly torqued down on top of it with load from the car and was told that could be a potential issue. Any chance I can just crawl under it and tighten the hell out of the thrust arm while the car sits? Just curious if anyone has had similar issues. The popping has become much louder in recent days.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 453
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From: East Coast, USA
Mercedes CLS 55 AMG
Not really, no. Essentially they want the suspension (in general) tightened in "ready to drive" condition, and not tightened with the wheel hanging down on the lift/jack.
You can lift the car, break the bolt loose in question, and re-tighten it in the proper "ready to drive" condition.
Not sure what would cause the popping. Never had an issue like that after replacing suspension components.
You can lift the car, break the bolt loose in question, and re-tighten it in the proper "ready to drive" condition.
Not sure what would cause the popping. Never had an issue like that after replacing suspension components.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 170
Likes: 16
From: San Antonio, TX
2005 E55 AMG
Hoping improper install didn’t cause premature wear to the extent it’s shot. I’ll be jacking the car up tonight and retightening with a full load on the thrust arm. Hoping that excess play in the seating of the ball joint has grown larger and causes the popping noise when weight shifts on it, and that tightening will do the trick. Will update tonight.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 453
Likes: 50
From: East Coast, USA
Mercedes CLS 55 AMG
Hoping improper install didn’t cause premature wear to the extent it’s shot. I’ll be jacking the car up tonight and retightening with a full load on the thrust arm. Hoping that excess play in the seating of the ball joint has grown larger and causes the popping noise when weight shifts on it, and that tightening will do the trick. Will update tonight.
I use a ramp on the other side so the car is actually level across.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 170
Likes: 16
From: San Antonio, TX
2005 E55 AMG
Thank God, success! The nut on top of the tie rod ball joint wasn’t tight. I was able to put the car on ramps and have my Dad turn the wheel with me looking and I could see the top of the call joint shifting slightly. Tightened down hard and no pop!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 170
Likes: 16
From: San Antonio, TX
2005 E55 AMG
Yeah, really! Thankfully I wasn’t driving it hard until I corrected the problem. Just nice to have a small win. Next to tackle is an SRS light I suspect is the passenger seat sensor. Heard people code it out or use emulators in lieu of replacing the sensor.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 170
Likes: 16
From: San Antonio, TX
2005 E55 AMG
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 453
Likes: 50
From: East Coast, USA
Mercedes CLS 55 AMG
