TSB : Checking Lower Front Axle Ball Joint (33/34)

Affected years: September 1996

Details

Publication date: 1996-09-01 Reference number: 33/34 Supersedes refnos: 33/30 CHECKING LOWER FRONT AXLE BALL JOINT CHECKING LOWER FRONT AXLE BALL JOINT TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN Reference Number(s): 33/30, 33/34, Date of Issue:  September 1996 Superceded Bulletin(s): 33/30, Date of Issue:  June 1993 MODELS 124, 129, AND 201, CHECKING LOWER FRONT AXLE BALL JOINTS Model(s): 1984-89 Mercedes-Benz 190 D 1984-93 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 1986-93 Mercedes-Benz 300 E 1987 Mercedes-Benz 300 D, 300 TD 1987-89 Mercedes-Benz 260 E 1988-93 Mercedes-Benz 300 CE, 300 TE 1990-93 Mercedes-Benz 300 E 4MATIC, 300 TE 4MATIC, 300 D, 300 SL, 500 SL 1992-93 Mercedes-Benz 400 E, 500 E 1993 Mercedes-Benz 600 SL 1994 Mercedes-Benz E 500 1994-95 Mercedes-Benz E 420 1994-96 Mercedes-Benz E 320 1994-on Mercedes-Benz SL 320, SL 500, SL 600 1995 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Group: 33 - Front Axle Bulletin No.: 33/34 Date: September 1996 NOTE: This bulletin supersedes Service Information No. 33/30 dated June 1993. SERVICE INFORMATION Additional to the visual inspection of the front axle ball joints, the below listed ball joint checks are required at every maintenance job. CHECKING PROCEDURES (Vehicle can be driven onto a drive-on lift, but vehicle weight must be on its wheels.) A - INSPECTING BALL JOINTS WITH GAUGE (All models except with engines 104 and 119) Ball joint must be replaced if Special Tool, part no. 201 589 10 23 00 (1, Fig 2 ) can be inserted completely, by hand, without much resistance and without the use of any tools. B - INSPECTING BALL JOINTS WITH LEVER/FULCRUM (All models) Position Special Tool, part no. 129 589 06 21 00 (090, Fig 3 ), under control arm as close as possible to ball joint (arrow, Fig 4 ). By lifting/lowering control arm (4, Fig 4 ) with Special Tool (loading/unloading wheel), any play can be detected at the ball joint by a second person touching the ball joint. If play is found in the ball joint, the ball joint or control arm (on versions with integral ball joints) must be replaced (See SMS, Front axle, Group 33, Job Nos. 33-0440 or 33-0510). NOTE: * Ball Joint (7, Fig 5 ) must be replaced If Its boot/cover leaks or is torn. When a ball joint is replaced, It must always be installed in the upper most position. Only tighten clamping bolt once ball joint is pressed up with mobile jack (arrow, Fig 5 ). In addition, ball joint freeplay inspection (Maintenance Job No. 3355) must be performed every 60,000 miles (96,000 km). TIME ALLOWANCE INFORMATION The recommended time allowance, in the warranty time guide, for maintenance service with 60,000 mile intervals already includes the time allowance of .2 hours for the ball joint free play check. This recommended time of .2 hours may be added when checking ball joints at all other maintenance services. Please note, the warranty time guide scheduled for release in March 1997 will include this time allowance of .2 hours in all maintenance services. SPECIAL TOOLS Fig 1: SPECIAL TOOL INFORMATION TABLE Fig 2: Inspecting Ball Joint With Gauge Fig 3: Positioning Lever/Fulcrum Under Control Arm Fig 4: Inspecting Ball Joint With Lever/Fulcrum Fig 5: Cross Sectional View Of Ball Joint Fig 6: Lever/Fulcrum Fig 7: Ball Joint Gauge