W124 Balljoint Replacement Advice

[MJK 24]

Well I've just bought a pair of balljoints from Mercedes along with front ARB bushes to change next weekend. My question is I'm wondering if it's worthwhile changing the wishbone bushes at the same time? Mercedes want £61 for a kit which I'm presuming at that price is for a pair of bushes?

When are they normally prone to be excessively worn? Car is a 1991 with 112,000 on the clock.

Thanks

[Mercky]

How are you proposing to change the ball joints? if you are going to remove the lower arms to do so then I would say its well worth doing the bushes while they're off even if they do have a few more miles in them.

It is possible to press or 'knock' the ball joints out with the arms still on the car,and if you are going down this route,and you are not experiencing any uneven tyre wear and the bushes appear serviceable, then personally I would leave well alone.

[0a]

I understand that the ball joints are a real pain to change - my mechanic is an old ex MB bloke who did these in the day and even he says it's a job he doesn't particularly like. Are you doing them yourself?

Mine were done for £14 per side plus under £100 in labour - no swearing on my part needed!

[MJK 24]

Late update!

I had my local MOT place do them. I did contact the garage who looks after my Elise. He couldn't fit me in for ages tho I'm not sure if it's because he didn't want to do them! He had a 300E that did monster miles and he said it wasn't the work of a moment to do them!

Anyway, MOT man did them plus front ARB bushes. Car drives spot on now. Much more taut feeling and no more wandering on the motorway. He did say never to bring the car back to his workshop again however!

[0a]

Good to hear you got it sorted. My mechanics are very familiar with the W124 but even they commented it's an annoying job to do. Still, at least you have a better driving car now

[BlueMR2]

0a said:

Good to hear you got it sorted. My mechanics are very familiar with the W124 but even they commented it's an annoying job to do. Still, at least you have a better driving car now

You should try having the welded in balljoints.