Re: [MBZ] wheels falling off
My son was pulling out of the school parking lot when the RF BJ broke, causing a bit of a problem. He was not going that fast and somehow managed to pull into a parking lot across the street. I ended up redoing the whole front suspension as the rubber bits were shot, and the failure caused a few other problems. Symptom the car had was wear on the inside of the tires -- too much camber -- though that might have been mostly due to the lower control arm bushings being worn out, and maybe that stressed the BJ too much, or maybe the whole thing was shot. Anyway, would be best to get them sorted out. Here is my story and writeup on the job. http://www.constructivity.net/rebuilding_a_79_300td.htm --R Allan Streib wrote: > So, the recent discussion of ball joint failure has me wondering, is > there a way to detect a worn ball joint before it fails? I have some > noises in the 300D front end but it seems to be right on the firewall > so I'm thinking it's the track rods. > > How would I check for worn ball joints, or other wear in the front > end? > > Allan > ___ 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] wheels falling off
Allan Streib wrote: > So, the recent discussion of ball joint failure has me wondering, is > there a way to detect a worn ball joint before it fails? I have some > noises in the 300D front end but it seems to be right on the firewall > so I'm thinking it's the track rods. > > How would I check for worn ball joints, or other wear in the front > end? With the wheel a little off the ground, you use a large (3 ft) screwdriver or prybar tip to the ground and the shaft under the wheel to apply upward pressure to the wheel with LOTS of leverage. If you feel play then the ball joint is worn. Some experience is require to know how much effort should be used and how much movement can be tolerated. Almost any experienced mechanic can test it for you in a few minutes. Marshall -- Marshall Booth Ph.D. Ass't Prof. (ret.) Univ of Pittsburgh School of Medicine [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ 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] wheels falling off
they make a pretty nasty noise once they are dry (related to turning the steering wheel). Yep, that's what's goin' on with my '83 300sD (right front) right now. As soon as the budget permits, I'm planning to replace the offending joint. While I'm on the subject, should I just replace both of them? I think I should at least have all of the front end joints/bushings checked out since there are 267Kmi on the car. Kevin in Portland, OR 1983 300Sd 267Kmi, Ursula
Re: [MBZ] wheels falling off
Usually the rubber goes before the joint, however they make a pretty nasty noise once they are dry (realted to turning the steering wheel). I does pay to get your car up in the air every now and then and check all the components, steering and suspension. Anyway I gotta get some parts organised to fix my Benzes up. - Original Message - From: "Allan Streib" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2007 2:13 AM Subject: [MBZ] wheels falling off So, the recent discussion of ball joint failure has me wondering, is there a way to detect a worn ball joint before it fails? I have some noises in the 300D front end but it seems to be right on the firewall so I'm thinking it's the track rods. How would I check for worn ball joints, or other wear in the front end? Allan -- 1983 300D 1966 230
Re: [MBZ] wheels falling off
It seems than at Wed, 13 Jun 2007 12:43:36 -0400, Allan wrote: > So, the recent discussion of ball joint failure has me wondering, is > there a way to detect a worn ball joint before it fails? I have some > noises in the 300D front end but it seems to be right on the firewall > so I'm thinking it's the track rods. > > How would I check for worn ball joints, or other wear in the front > end? The chassis manual for the W123 says to to grab the end of the front bumper and shake the car side-to-side while watching the two sides of the upper ball joint. If it wobbles, it's bad. For the lower joint, jack up the car by the lower arm so the tire is an inch or two above the ground. Put a prybar in the gap between the tire and the ground. Lift up and let off while watching for movement on the two sides of the lower Fuhrungsgelenk - er, I mean ball joint. -- Philip
Re: [MBZ] wheels falling off
Decided after I posted this that it sounded a bit cryptic. I mean no offense. I have been fooled myself at times. I replace upper ball joints in our 4Runner at one point because I was convinced that it needed it. However, after I had them out - and ruined in the process, I discovered that there really was nothing wrong with them. That is why I suggest that you have someone familiar with suspension check them even if you check them yourself. I am fortunate in that my wife's brother is a licenced mechanic and I can get a good second opinion without much trouble. I just go into the shop for an oil change and ask him to check anything that I have doubts about. Randy -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of R A Bennell Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 12:05 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] wheels falling off Very simply, wiggle, pry etc to see if there is looseness in the joint. However, if you have to ask the question, you may be better advised to take it to a shop and have them check and advise. Randy -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Allan Streib Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 11:44 AM To: mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: [MBZ] wheels falling off So, the recent discussion of ball joint failure has me wondering, is there a way to detect a worn ball joint before it fails? I have some noises in the 300D front end but it seems to be right on the firewall so I'm thinking it's the track rods. How would I check for worn ball joints, or other wear in the front end? Allan -- 1983 300D 1966 230 ___ 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] wheels falling off
Very simply, wiggle, pry etc to see if there is looseness in the joint. However, if you have to ask the question, you may be better advised to take it to a shop and have them check and advise. Randy -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Allan Streib Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 11:44 AM To: mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: [MBZ] wheels falling off So, the recent discussion of ball joint failure has me wondering, is there a way to detect a worn ball joint before it fails? I have some noises in the 300D front end but it seems to be right on the firewall so I'm thinking it's the track rods. How would I check for worn ball joints, or other wear in the front end? Allan -- 1983 300D 1966 230 ___ 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] wheels falling off
i've always seen techs check for play every time the car is up in the air. On 6/13/07, Allan Streib <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: So, the recent discussion of ball joint failure has me wondering, is there a way to detect a worn ball joint before it fails? I have some noises in the 300D front end but it seems to be right on the firewall so I'm thinking it's the track rods. How would I check for worn ball joints, or other wear in the front end? Allan -- 1983 300D 1966 230 ___ 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
