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Feb 21, 2012 14:58:24 GMT
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Chaps,
The front lower ball joint rubber boots / dust covers on my W123 Merc are split. However, the ball joints themselves are fine, don't creak and have no play in them and have passed all recent MoTs without any issues.
Now then, new MoT rules state that the boots / covers must be in good condition with no splits. Bearing in mind that replacement of the lower ball joints on a W123 Merc is not a DIY proposition, at least not for me, does anyone know whether there is a replacement boot / cover that I can fit over the existing ball joint without having to remove anything first?
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1985 Mercedes W123 230E - 5 speed manual & 2011 BMW F11 520d Touring - 8 speed automatic.  |
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Feb 21, 2012 15:58:23 GMT
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Hi! As far as I know, Mercedes sells them as a replacement. MB part number A1165860433. Can be swapped separately.  Or ar you looking for smething to wrap around without splitting the joint from the controll arm? Cheers, Jan |
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Feb 21, 2012 16:04:33 GMT
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That is very helpful, but I suspect that a fair amount of dismantling will be required to fit the replacement cover? Or not? How much work is involved in replacing it?
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1985 Mercedes W123 230E - 5 speed manual & 2011 BMW F11 520d Touring - 8 speed automatic. |
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Feb 21, 2012 16:17:02 GMT
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In theory: undo nut, split bal joint from controll arm/hub, remove dust cap, fit new dust cap. However, fitting the dust cap resp. the wire ring holding it can be fiddly... As can splitting the lower joint.
But it's a good time to re-grease the ball joints. If the cap was split, dirt got probably in.
Not the most convenient job I'm afraid...
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Feb 21, 2012 16:37:54 GMT
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Would the coil spring require restraint if the ball joint is to be separated from the suspension link? I guess it would.
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1985 Mercedes W123 230E - 5 speed manual & 2011 BMW F11 520d Touring - 8 speed automatic. |
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MrSpeedy
East Midlands
www.vintagediesels.co.uk
Posts: 4,786 
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Feb 21, 2012 18:44:04 GMT
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I once repaired a CV gaiter on my mums 405 by super glueing a piece of bicycle inner tube of the split.
I kid you not, it lasted for 3 years!!!
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Feb 21, 2012 19:22:37 GMT
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Would the coil spring require restraint if the ball joint is to be separated from the suspension link? I guess it would. If you don't remove the shock absorber, no. It doesn't. The shock serves as rebound limiter and holds the lower controll arm & spring in place. If in doubt, put some wood under the controll arm to suport it.  |
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Feb 21, 2012 20:01:39 GMT
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Would the coil spring require restraint if the ball joint is to be separated from the suspension link? I guess it would. If you don't remove the shock absorber, no. It doesn't. The shock serves as rebound limiter and holds the lower controll arm & spring in place. If in doubt, put some wood under the controll arm to suport it. Thanks mate. I wouldn't dare attempt this job at home but I also don't want to pay my mechanic £££ for a complicated repair. |
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1985 Mercedes W123 230E - 5 speed manual & 2011 BMW F11 520d Touring - 8 speed automatic. |
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Feb 21, 2012 20:02:26 GMT
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I once repaired a CV gaiter on my mums 405 by super glueing a piece of bicycle inner tube of the split. I kid you not, it lasted for 3 years!!! Would that form of repair be MoT friendly? |
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1985 Mercedes W123 230E - 5 speed manual & 2011 BMW F11 520d Touring - 8 speed automatic. |
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MrSpeedy
East Midlands
www.vintagediesels.co.uk
Posts: 4,786
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Feb 21, 2012 23:15:30 GMT
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Worked for me  |
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Feb 23, 2012 12:54:59 GMT
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I once repaired a CV gaiter on my mums 405 by super glueing a piece of bicycle inner tube of the split. I kid you not, it lasted for 3 years!!! Would that form of repair be MoT friendly? Yes it would. As long as it isn't split any more it doesn't matter how you fix it. PS, I've done the same myself - repairing pinhole damage in CV boots with a puncture repair kit |
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To get a standard A40 this low, you'd have to dig a hole to put it in |
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bl1300
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,678
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Feb 23, 2012 16:45:03 GMT
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A blob of superglue worked on my CV boot last year Only a pinhole mind. Cant you just crack the joint pull it down and swap over the covers without actually removing it from the car? Hammer through ball joint splitters are easy to find and aren't expensive. I personally don't use them as they tend to split the boots but as yours is being changed anyway it would do the job. In my local motorfactors their £7.50 or £12 for a scissor type |
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Current fleet.
1967 DAF 44
1974 VW Beetle 1303s
1975 Triumph Spitfire MkIV
1988 VW LT45 Beavertail
1998 Volvo V70 2.5
1959 Fordson Dexta
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Feb 23, 2012 17:01:30 GMT
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It's realy stupid to reach on a W123...   |
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Feb 23, 2012 19:32:10 GMT
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i mot vehicles and this new rule does not come in untill the 1st april and yes you can repair them with glue the ruling states it has not to be split !
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fha772
Part of things
Posts: 247
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Jun 26, 2012 14:38:47 GMT
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Would it pass a MOT, if I wrapped it with silicon tape?
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