Re: [MBZ] Clunky ball joint 86 W201
None of the supplied sleeves will fit the top of the old ball joint to press it out the bottom of the control arm (this is assuming it's the same as the W124, you need to check). Any bit of pipe that will seat in the tool and fit inside the hole in the control arm will work, as you don't care about the joint you are pressing out. It's tight, make sure you have the car supported well!. Going back in the sleeves and cups that come with the tool work. The ball joint kit was on sale again at HF, so I bought it. When I get a chance to try it, we'll see. -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Clunky ball joint 86 W201
None of the supplied sleeves will fit the top of the old ball joint to press it out the bottom of the control arm (this is assuming it's the same as the W124, you need to check). Any bit of pipe that will seat in the tool and fit inside the hole in the control arm will work, as you don't care about the joint you are pressing out. It's tight, make sure you have the car supported well!. Going back in the sleeves and cups that come with the tool work. I believe the strut in the W201 will come out with the spring in place like most McPhearson types do, but I don't know that for a fact. If not, you will have to use external spring compressors, which I hate (I've had one slip off before). If it comes out complete, as I expect it does, this becomes a fairly easy job as suspension work goes. Peter ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Clunky ball joint 86 W201
The 86 201 does not have a McPherson strut, it uses a shock absorber strut next to the spring. How do I know this? Because I used an internal spring compressor to remove the springs yesterday and I will be using an internal spring compressor to re-install the springs today. Unfortunately the rear rubbers where pretty much toast, so I had to get the control arm fully rebuild. Hendrik Peter Frederick wrote: None of the supplied sleeves will fit the top of the old ball joint to press it out the bottom of the control arm (this is assuming it's the same as the W124, you need to check). Any bit of pipe that will seat in the tool and fit inside the hole in the control arm will work, as you don't care about the joint you are pressing out. It's tight, make sure you have the car supported well!. Going back in the sleeves and cups that come with the tool work. I believe the strut in the W201 will come out with the spring in place like most McPhearson types do, but I don't know that for a fact. If not, you will have to use external spring compressors, which I hate (I've had one slip off before). If it comes out complete, as I expect it does, this becomes a fairly easy job as suspension work goes. Peter ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Clunky ball joint 86 W201
Does that car have a brake rod support? THe connector that goes from the firewall to the control arm? The ball joint in those on the 123 wear out and give that clunk. --R Hendrik Fay wrote: The dramas never stop, got the engine and box back in the car and after adjusting the control pressure that seems all good. There was a scrapping noise after reinstalling the rear wheel carrier but that was a simple adjustment with a hammer on the dust shield. However there is still a clunking noise coming from the left front wheel. I have jacked the front up and had a look to see if I could determine the noise of the clunk, which only happens when going over some bumps. The only thing I could find was the ball joint had up down movement of about 5mm (the right one only has about 2mm) and I am thinking if that is bouncing it could cause a clunking noise. Anyone have any input? Is there supposed to be up/down movement? Speaking to my Mum, she reckons that clunk has been there for years. The ball joint seals are still intact and there is no groaning when turning the wheel or shuddering (like the ball joint is grabbing and releasing). As always thanks for any and all replies. Hendrik who is quite pleased with himself that the engine fired up first go ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Clunky ball joint 86 W201
The only thing I could find was the ball joint had up down movement of about 5mm (the right one only has about 2mm) and I am thinking if that is bouncing it could cause a clunking noise. Anyone have any input? Is there supposed to be up/down movement? I don't think there is supposed to be any perceptible movement. -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Clunky ball joint 86 W201
That's pretty much the repair limit. Not a terrible job, the tool from Harbor Freight will work if you make and adapter to push the old one out. Jack car and support with a jackstand under the control arm (this is absolutely necessary unless you want to remove the spring). Remove strut and steering knuckle, then press the old ball joint out and the new one in. There are index marks on the new joint, install with them perpendicular to the centerline (side to side rather than front to rear!) as the joint is directional and will die fast if you put it in wrong. Reinstall strut and steering knuckle and you are on your way. You should replace the control arm if there is wear or play in the inner pivot bushings, though -- they are very difficult to replace if they are like the W124 ones, and it's much easier to just swap the control arm. That requires the MB spring compressor tool, though. Peter ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Clunky ball joint 86 W201
I have a spring compressor tool, the rubber bushings still seem to be pretty good. More than likely I'll take the control arm out and take it to a shop to get the ball joint replaced. Hendrik Peter Frederick wrote: That's pretty much the repair limit. Not a terrible job, the tool from Harbor Freight will work if you make and adapter to push the old one out. Jack car and support with a jackstand under the control arm (this is absolutely necessary unless you want to remove the spring). Remove strut and steering knuckle, then press the old ball joint out and the new one in. There are index marks on the new joint, install with them perpendicular to the centerline (side to side rather than front to rear!) as the joint is directional and will die fast if you put it in wrong. Reinstall strut and steering knuckle and you are on your way. You should replace the control arm if there is wear or play in the inner pivot bushings, though -- they are very difficult to replace if they are like the W124 ones, and it's much easier to just swap the control arm. That requires the MB spring compressor tool, though. Peter ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Clunky ball joint 86 W201
On the TD I took the knuckle to a shop, an old Benz mech (I think he was Italian, go figure) put the thing in a vise and put a ball peen hammer round end on the BJ, then took a BFH and beat on that thing like a rented mule until the BJ popped out. Steel on steel, a bit scary. But it came out and then they used the MB press to put in the new one, on which the little collar snapped off. They ordered up a Lemforder (the one I got from Rusty, was not sure of the brand, broke, I think this is the right name for the good one) and they pressed that in fine. The mech said anything else was not proper and they had broken two presses ($650 per if I recall) on cheap replacements, so their preference was the Lemforder. YMMV. --R Hendrik Fay wrote: I have a spring compressor tool, the rubber bushings still seem to be pretty good. More than likely I'll take the control arm out and take it to a shop to get the ball joint replaced. Hendrik ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Clunky ball joint 86 W201
Hendrik Fay wrote: I have a spring compressor tool, What kind of spring compressor tool? Mitch ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Clunky ball joint 86 W201
Internal type, which is a copy of the Klann but mucho cheapero. Bought it off ebay in the states. The aftermarket manual I have for the 201 chassis shows them using an external set of spring compressors, guess that would work if they are heavy duty enough but the way I figure it, by the time I have done the front end and rear in the 190E + the front of the 123 I will have paid for the tool by not having to take the car to a workshop and pay them to do the whole job, plus I also save on medical expenses/damage to the vehicle by going the safe route. Well I will confess that I have removed springs with a cheap set of external compressors but never again, not worth the risk as I have seen what happens when they slip off the spring. Hendrik the tool with tools Mitch Haley wrote: Hendrik Fay wrote: I have a spring compressor tool, What kind of spring compressor tool? Mitch ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Clunky ball joint 86 W201
The W201/W124 ball joint is MUCH easier to replace, as it's in the control arm and not the steering knuckle. The ones on W126s are a real pain, although my brother's came out fairly easily and pressed in without major problems. Not easy, though. Peter ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Clunky ball joint 86 W201
Yes the pressing in of the ball joint is a job for an experienced person, from what I understand if they go in crooked the only way to get them out is with a gas axe. Also you wanna be careful bashing things with a BFH, sometimes things end up bent or otherwise broken. Just about every decent workshop must have a hydraulic press to get a ball joint out. Specially these days with insurance. False economics, using a dangerous method to save on the cost of a $300-400 hydraulic press. Imagine if the ball peen had shattered and took out his eye. Hendrik Rich Thomas wrote: On the TD I took the knuckle to a shop, an old Benz mech (I think he was Italian, go figure) put the thing in a vise and put a ball peen hammer round end on the BJ, then took a BFH and beat on that thing like a rented mule until the BJ popped out. Steel on steel, a bit scary. But it came out and then they used the MB press to put in the new one, on which the little collar snapped off. They ordered up a Lemforder (the one I got from Rusty, was not sure of the brand, broke, I think this is the right name for the good one) and they pressed that in fine. The mech said anything else was not proper and they had broken two presses ($650 per if I recall) on cheap replacements, so their preference was the Lemforder. YMMV. --R ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
