Ball joints controll arm bushings

spoke · 11-01-2009, 11:20 AM

I took my E500 to the dealer for front end alinment and was told they could not do the work unless they replaced the ball joints and bushings.
This cost $2,500.00 plus tax. The car has 50,000 miles and I have never had to have this kind of work done on any car I have owned. Does this mean that the E5000 has a week front end? Is this a common problem?
Does any one know if this work can be done DYI?
I am thinking maybe I should replace the car instead.
It seems strange to have these going bad this soon in the cars expected life of 100K

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99210 · 11-01-2009, 04:44 PM

i see lower ball joints and thrust arm bushings go out all the time///you can do it your self if you have ball joint remover and installer and press for installing new bushings//

spoke · 11-01-2009, 06:38 PM

Ok so there are speical tools for this?
Does any one have pictures on how to do this?
I think I can do it myself if I know witch parts to replace and were I can rent or buy the tools.
This is the only way I can keep my car is to fix it myself.
I really need to be told how to do this I have never replaced ball joints or bushings.
Thanks, Spoke

spoke · 11-01-2009, 06:42 PM

Were can I buy discounted parts like ball joints and bushings? I also need pads and rotors for my 2004 E500.
Thanks, Spoke

ohlord · 11-01-2009, 06:50 PM

www.autohausaz.com
you should be on the w211 forum and do not do sbc brakes unless you learn how to do them without killing yourself.Lots of pressure in that dangerous system.
If you can't do either job find an indie mb shop.They will do it for far less than the dealer.Stop going to the dealer

spoke · 11-01-2009, 09:03 PM

Ok thanks I will unplug the the unit first.

01BlackE320 · 11-01-2009, 10:28 PM

Just because the dealer says you need ball joints and control arm bushings doesn't mean that you do. My dealer trained indy mechanic tells that to every MB owner that comes into his shop, I've witnessed it. He told me I needed it and I've driven 30k miles since then with now unusual tire wear or handling problems.

spoke · 11-02-2009, 10:00 AM

I live in Naples FL I have taken my car to independent garages in my area but the price is near the same as the dealer. It seems in Naples everyone thinks you are a millionaire if you drive a Mercedes Benz. I think the best thing for me to do is try to figure it out with the help of Mb World members. I have done very well in the past with information on how to change the heat exchanger valve, oil change and serpentine belt change. If I can get photos on how to I can do this in my own garage.
I really don't trust that dealer any more I went there only for a front end alignment and the service writer said I needed 4 new tires and I had new tires put on less than 10,000 miles. And he said i need valve cover gaskets brake fluid flush transmission flush spark plugs and all I asked for was a front end alignment!
I will feel better about the repair if I do it myself at least I will know it has been done.
Example the car had a 4 year maintenance service included but when I did my oil change I found that they never changed or cleaned the air filter and only did a pump out of oil if that much.I would have had them replace all the bushings and ball joints but they said they would not work on the car unless I did everything they said I needed.
Spoke

11-01-2009, 06:42 PM	#4
spoke Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Naples Florida HOT HUMID BORING Posts: 17 Drives: 2004 E500	Discount Parts? Were can I buy discounted parts like ball joints and bushings? I also need pads and rotors for my 2004 E500. Thanks, Spoke

11-01-2009, 06:50 PM	#5
ohlord MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,438 Drives: E55 powered E320 Wagon,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross,94subaru, 2000 E320 wagon.	TRy www.autohausaz.com you should be on the w211 forum and do not do sbc brakes unless you learn how to do them without killing yourself.Lots of pressure in that dangerous system. If you can't do either job find an indie mb shop.They will do it for far less than the dealer.Stop going to the dealer __________________ "whatever you say, you speak into existence" ohlord Cognomen is in homage to the late great Janis Joplin "Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz" W210 Wagons,a few MG's,assorted others and a partridge in a pear tree. pm me if you need me

11-02-2009, 10:00 AM	#8
spoke Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Naples Florida HOT HUMID BORING Posts: 17 Drives: 2004 E500	Ball Joints and bushings I live in Naples FL I have taken my car to independent garages in my area but the price is near the same as the dealer. It seems in Naples everyone thinks you are a millionaire if you drive a Mercedes Benz. I think the best thing for me to do is try to figure it out with the help of Mb World members. I have done very well in the past with information on how to change the heat exchanger valve, oil change and serpentine belt change. If I can get photos on how to I can do this in my own garage. I really don't trust that dealer any more I went there only for a front end alignment and the service writer said I needed 4 new tires and I had new tires put on less than 10,000 miles. And he said i need valve cover gaskets brake fluid flush transmission flush spark plugs and all I asked for was a front end alignment! I will feel better about the repair if I do it myself at least I will know it has been done. Example the car had a 4 year maintenance service included but when I did my oil change I found that they never changed or cleaned the air filter and only did a pump out of oil if that much.I would have had them replace all the bushings and ball joints but they said they would not work on the car unless I did everything they said I needed. Spoke

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11-01-2009, 04:44 PM	#2
99210 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 30 Drives: 1999 e320	i see lower ball joints and thrust arm bushings go out all the time///you can do it your self if you have ball joint remover and installer and press for installing new bushings//

11-01-2009, 06:38 PM	#3
spoke Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Naples Florida HOT HUMID BORING Posts: 17 Drives: 2004 E500	Ok so there are speical tools for this? Does any one have pictures on how to do this? I think I can do it myself if I know witch parts to replace and were I can rent or buy the tools. This is the only way I can keep my car is to fix it myself. I really need to be told how to do this I have never replaced ball joints or bushings. Thanks, Spoke

11-01-2009, 09:03 PM	#6
spoke Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Naples Florida HOT HUMID BORING Posts: 17 Drives: 2004 E500	Ok thanks I will unplug the the unit first.

11-01-2009, 10:28 PM	#7
01BlackE320 Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 202 Drives: 01 E320	Just because the dealer says you need ball joints and control arm bushings doesn't mean that you do. My dealer trained indy mechanic tells that to every MB owner that comes into his shop, I've witnessed it. He told me I needed it and I've driven 30k miles since then with now unusual tire wear or handling problems.

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