Replacing the upper ball joint assembly W126

[@samuellockejr3442]

Awesome job. I appreciate all your videos . My 89 300se needs allot of love and your videos give me confidence in doing the job myself. Thanks

[@straybenzes]

All the best and good luck and be safe.

[@paulysingh2665]

You're a rock star, Ralph!!! Saved me tons of money$$$$$

[@straybenzes]

Thanks and good luck!

[@Hugo_Furst]

Regarding the upper ball joint video I have a couple of questions. How difficult was it sliding the upper control arm bushing into the chassis I noticed that you hammered in with the mallet. Secondly, at the end of the video you've mentioned that the wheels should be on the ground before tightening any of the suspension nuts. Which nuts and bolts are you specifically referring to-the bolts in the chassis or the bolt/nut on the sway bar? Well I have to crawl under the car to do that with the wheels on the ground or how. Thanks so much for your help and the video

[@straybenzes]

You have to tap in the upper ball joint assembly pretty well in order for it to slide back in place. It helps compress the metal bushings in a vice just before mounting it (there are two bushings that just look like one piece). That particular bolt needs to be tightened with wheels on the ground. The lower control arm bushing is a bear to get to with the wheel on the ground. This does not apply to the anti-sway bar mounts.

[@Hugo_Furst]

@@straybenzes thanks. Just so I understand clearly.

[@Hugo_Furst]

@@straybenzes just so that I understand clearly are you referring to the bolt that is holding the upper control arm to the chassis? The lower control arm bolt is the one connecting the spindle to the upper control arm assembly?

[@straybenzes]

@@Hugo_Furst just so that I understand clearly are you referring to the bolt that is holding the upper control arm to the chassis? YES The lower control arm bolt is the one connecting the spindle to the upper control arm assembly? The lower control arm bushing is held in place by a similarly long bolt and it has excenter washers under head and nut. Cannot miss it.

[@Hugo_Furst]

@@straybenzes okay thank you . Thank you I have no plans to remove the lower control arm but I was a little bit confused when you mentioned the lower control arm. Thanks very much for your help..

[@northwoodsnine]

Very good info ,thanks.

[@straybenzes]

Thx!

[@juanmorales5133]

Un trabajo bien hecho

[@straybenzes]

Gracias!

[@Hugo_Furst]

Thank you. I have couple of questions. I noticed you removed the wheel, brake, spindle and rotor assembly to do this. Is that all necessary? Secondly, how are you supporting the car and the coils spring assembly. Thanks

[@straybenzes]

You are rightfully questioning that. You do not need to do any of that to replace the upper arm. I replaced the lower ball joint and had to remove a lot of other stuff in that process.

[@Hugo_Furst]

Hi again. I have one more question regarding the lower ball joint removal. Your video shows you separating the lower control arm from the ball joint with a 4 or 5lb hammer. I have purchased a tool from OTC that is used to do that particular job. How difficult was it two separate the two with the.. the reason I ask is because I paid $70 for this tool and would like to return it if it's really not necessary

[@straybenzes]

That can go either way and totally depends on if and who worked on that before you. I wish you the best of luck.

[@Hugo_Furst]

Can you also do a video of R and R the lower ball joint (without removing the spring) and any procedure you have for removing the ball joint from the spindle? Thank you. I have MBZ380se..

[@straybenzes]

That is indeed coming up.

[@Hugo_Furst]

@@straybenzes Thank you. Another project that would be valuable to 126 owners is how to R an R a hood latch cable (double latch). Also, any ideas on how to open the hood if the cable is broken on a two latch 126? I always worry about that if cable breaks. I'm thinking making a "safety wire" attached to the two latches that could be routed so wire could be pulled from underneath vehicle somehow..

[@straybenzes]

@@Hugo_Furst That is a frightening thought. It is very rare however.

[@DsFk80s]

Hi I've replaced a pair of my upper ball joints about 2 years back and one of it already worn off making squeeky noise and it had slight movement when i turned my steering. Is it normal for it to wear in about 2 years time? Is it possible to just replace the rubber inside the ball joint rather then replacing the whole thing? Thanks.

[@straybenzes]

Most aftermarket stuff does not last long. Especially rubber products can fail between 2-5 years. The OEM stuff, if you can still get it, does last longer. Most is very expensive.

[@straybenzes]

Just replacing the rubber does not fix play in the ball joints though.

[@inovahightechltd]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@straybenzes]

Thanks!

[@inovahightechltd]

@@straybenzes Hi Ralf, the previous owner did this wrong with tightening the bolts while car is up on Clay’s 450SEL and the front end is 2”+ or so higher then normal. That is on our to do list. Your video was very helpful as I had suspected this but wasn’t sure on why his front end is abnormally high. Your buddy Peter from Kansas

[@straybenzes]

@@inovahightechltd Wow, that is a lot. Good luck!

[@inovahightechltd]

@@straybenzes unless they installed the wrong shocks besides the bolt issue, but we will find out

[@straybenzes]

@@inovahightechltd Unlikely, but nothing is impossible.

[@bajersson3126]

Hi writes from Poland I have w126 but I can not diagnose one problem. Could I contact you in some way?

[@straybenzes]

Sure. What problem are you trying to solve?