Just had the car serviced 10,000 miles 1 year and 9 months old and been told both front ball joints need replacing.
I know it is covered under warranty and wont cost me anything but I was just wondering if anyone else has had this problem.
I was told it's common on the SLK but it's the first time they will have done them on a Crossfire.

Thanks.

Norrie.

 

What was it that made them decide the ball joints needed replacing? Did you notice any problems with the car?

 

No I never noticed any problems with the car.
I've hardly used the car in the last year due to my better half not being well.
It was just in for the service.


Norrie.

 

Hmm, my car is similar age and mileage to yours, I will be taking the front wheels off this weekend so I'll check and see if there is any play in the ball joints. Is it both sides?

Simon.

 

Yes it's both sides.


Norrie.

 

Seems a very premature failure, especially if you haven't been driving it much. You would think there would be others with the same problem by now, but I guess someone has to have it happen first, at least it's not going to cost you anything.

Simon.

 

The council has installed a lot of speed humps in Edinburgh lately so I'm wondering if it has something to do with this.
There was a load on the road outside my work which were deemed to be to high so they have just been re-done.
This could have easily caused the problem.


Norrie.

 

sure it could add to permature failure.

 

Yep, it certainly won't have helped!

I am definitely checking mine now. I have to negotiate several of these damn bumps every day on the way to and from the office.

Simon.

 

i too will have to keep an eye out on my ball joints as i am in rough terrain everyday bumps humps dumps sumps craters potholes cracks gratings rubbish... its a mine field here! thanks for the info... it helps.

also hope the better half is feeling better...

josh

 

I don't know about the ball joints going bad from rough roads or highways. I mean think about it Ball Joints last almost forever in most cars, (due to the fact most cars don't) so I don't know about the humps being the cause. That's why we got shocks, springs, etc... but if you got a ball joint problem it could be something from the factory, smells like a "Recall" in the works folks.

 

Checked for play in the ball joints this morning - everything was fine, even though it gets driven fairly hard. Seems strange that norrie's needed replacing, I could understand a single defective joint, but both?

Simon.

 

I am wondering if they are just generating work for themselves as they always seem to be quiet.
If I get a chance I will check it before I take it in.
OK it isn't costing me any money but it is the inconvenience of having to take the car in.
I am getting a Jeep Cherokee as a courtesy car though.

Might try a bit of off roading.


Norrie.

 

Norrie, have you considered taking the car to another dealer for a second opinion? I know that Chrysler dealers are few and far between in the UK, but it might be worth the drive to find out if your dealer knows what he's talking about.

 

I've never heard of it being a problem with the SLK, but they do admit that the bushings leave a lot to be desired. It sounds like you have one of two problems. Bogus dealer repair, or bad parts / installation from the factory... It's not a common problem with the car...

 

Update on the ball joints.
The dealer phoned me yesterday to say they had fixed the wind noise (New seal and adjusted glass). Excellent.
I had reported vibration from the wheels so the dealer was phoning to find out where the locking wheel key was.
I was told that was all they had to do "Balance the front wheels".
I asked what about the ball joints?
"They have been done" I was told.
I asked how can you do the ball joints without taking the front wheels off?
Pause ---"Mmmm you've got a point they must be able to do them without taking the wheels off".
My response I used to be a motor mechanic and I don't think so.
"I'll phone you back he says".
Phones me back 10 mins later "Yes they have been done".

Now I've not got he car back yet so can someone tell me.
Can you do the ball joints without taking the wheels off?
Does anyone have a pic/diagram of the ball joint assembly?

I think I smell a rat and although I am not paying as it's under warranty I'm not happy if I am being lied to.

Thanks.

Norrie.

 

This is all starting to sound like some sort of dealer warranty scam but I will reserve judgment until I know for sure.

I had a look at the ball joints at the weekend and you can see the attachment bolts from being the wheel but changing them with the wheel on looks like a non-starter.

Here's the official method from the manual - note instruction no. 2 :

 

Here's an exploded view of the front suspension (item 16 is the ball joint).

 

Just thought, I have been assuming that it was the lower ball joints we are talking about. Could be the uppers I suppose but still looks tricky with the wheels on!

Norrie: have you asked if you can see the old parts? But they will probably just say they have had to send the back to DC as part of the warranty claim though.

Simon.

 

Just picked the car up and the service manager had a pic on his phone of the new ball joints fitted.
Can't check just now as the weathers crap here but will have a look at the weekend.


Norrie.