Mercedes Ball Joints
Discussion
Our 2019 C300d is in for service, 45,000 miles. Passed its MOT with no advisories in January and the main dealer had just red flagged the need for OSF and NSF lower ball joints at the expected premium cost. Is it me, or is 45,000 miles in six years rather early for this sort of wear. I'm torn as to whether thats reasonable, unfortunate or just the dealer just at it. Add in rear discs down to the service limit. I do wonder why Mercedes has a reputation for quality and longevity. As the o\h said, she's done double that mileage in several Audi TT's before this, doing much the same commute and never had to replace suspension components. Rant over.
First off Mercedes reputation for solid build quality went in the 1990's. They are building cars the same as every other manufacturer these days. Second its quite a heavy car and depending on where and how it's driven could have a big effect on how long these joints last. Plus a dealer will take the slightest of play and flag it as an issue, the MOT tester may not even comment on a tiny bit of play.
Thanks, no bumping up kerbs in our ownership and the last 25k miles, who knows before that. It does feel a fairly heavy car and what with poorly maintained rural roads around us I guess it's possible there is play to be found if you were really looking for it. One to take on the chin then and put it down to preventative maintenance!
cliffords said:
I think any dealer is going to view the car as an income source and point out the flaws according.
I increasingly don't replace with original parts . On the basis the manufacturer parts have failed it seems a contrary decision to replace like for like .
What do you do then, or are you world's best mechanic?I increasingly don't replace with original parts . On the basis the manufacturer parts have failed it seems a contrary decision to replace like for like .
paul_c123 said:
cliffords said:
I think any dealer is going to view the car as an income source and point out the flaws according.
I increasingly don't replace with original parts . On the basis the manufacturer parts have failed it seems a contrary decision to replace like for like .
What do you do then, or are you world's best mechanic?I increasingly don't replace with original parts . On the basis the manufacturer parts have failed it seems a contrary decision to replace like for like .
Hugo Stiglitz said:
Respectfully do you get all your repairs conducted at a main dealer outside of the warranty period?
Fair question - it's the o\h's car and she's on a service plan and has been since we got it so it's not left the main dealer network for servicing since new - she's paying for the service plan so all visits have been 'free' (of course it isn't!) and this is the first time anything major and additional has been flagged, so just a bit of a surprise. But her car, her choice on where it goes. If it hadn't been on a service plan it would have been at a specialist for servicing by now. I had the lower arm bushes replaced on my 2005 C Class at 40K miles and the car was only about 3yrs old and only used for long motorway trips. Cost was covered by Mercedes ServicePlus (doesn’t exist anymore).
I then started using the car less, and at 80K and around 9 years old, they, and the ball joints, had worn again and Warranty Direct paid for both lower arms to be replaced - cost over a grand at dealer rates.
I then got a clean MOT off the dealer but a health report which would have written the car off, so switched to an indie and he laughed at the list. Car was fine.
I then started using the car less, and at 80K and around 9 years old, they, and the ball joints, had worn again and Warranty Direct paid for both lower arms to be replaced - cost over a grand at dealer rates.
I then got a clean MOT off the dealer but a health report which would have written the car off, so switched to an indie and he laughed at the list. Car was fine.
Hugo Stiglitz said:
At least get a second opinion.
Too late, done and paid for now. Next battle is why its maybe better to take it on the chin that the odd maintenance bill, even if big, is better than throwing it all in for a new car at hundreds and hundreds a month for the next three years paying for nothing except depreciation, and then adding on top the service and maintenance. Bottom line is that it's a lovely car and nice to drive. And the courtesy CLA180 did nothing but to demonstrate that for a list price of over £30k you really don't buy anything Mercedes new that is anywhere near as nice, nor anywhere near as powerful, or better put together. In fairness, the digital dashboard was better clarity but the controls were that rubbish shiny black plastic that is popular and just horrible in any car, and the functions really didn't do anything additional to ours! Thats before mentioning the infernal irritating speed warnings and bongs that kept going off with the mandatory ADAS stuff - I'm sure you could turn it off but what a faff every time you get in the car. I'm sure the ball joints perhaps didn't need doing immediately, and that a few hundred could have been shaved off using an independent, but there is something in there about piece of mind that on the same basis it'll be 2030+ and 90k before they would need doing again.
ARHarh said:
First off Mercedes reputation for solid build quality went in the 1990's. They are building cars the same as every other manufacturer these days. .
I agree. My 1996 SL320 ( R129 ) is a perfect example of the way Mercedes used to build cars. It has never let me down, very few components have been replaced, it still has the original exhaust system !,My daily used to be a C270 CDI. Nice car to drive, 50-60 mpg on a run. But! the car fell apart. Almost all of the suspension had to be replaced in less than 90K, a number of other issues. Then last year it was discovered that the rear subframe, and the body shell was so rusty I had to scrap it.
2002 C240 Merc of mine around 31K miles one of the control arms at the front was very harsh over potholes and certain bumps. Replaced myself now nice and smooth. The bushing was very worn but the ball joint was fine - MOT did not pick up the wear on the bush but I did. Ex owner repetitively drove up kerbs to park the car.
In regards to OP I would jack the car up, and see how much play there is in said ball joint. Wiggle the wheel around and see if it is major.
In regards to OP I would jack the car up, and see how much play there is in said ball joint. Wiggle the wheel around and see if it is major.
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