New source for 6.9 Front Strut Ball Joints

[wbrian63]

I came across a listing on eBay for a front strut ball joint. Price was buy-it-now and was a good deal at $US115.00 plus freight from Germany. I assumed it was a lonely NOS part someone found sitting on a shelf.

These items are still available from MB, but list is $US770.00.

A few days after the part had shipped, I got a note from the seller indicating that he had to order 100 parts from the manufacturer and was interested in moving them along from his inventory to the hands of people in need of new ball joints.

Further contact with him revealed that the item isn't a NOS part, but a newly manufactured item.

Here's what the item looks like - I am very pleased:



His name is Markus and he has a website: www.m115.de.

He would prefer to sell the items outside the boundaries of eBay, and is offering the items for anyone that should wish to purchase at $US85 plus shipping and handling.

I'm still figuring out how to detach an existing ball joint from one of my struts just to make 100% certain that the replacement item will fit.

(Anyone that knows how this trick can be performed, please let me know...)

Of course, real in-world usage is the only way to know for sure if these are good replacements or otherwise, and it will be months before I'm ready to go that far. That being said, the item looks well made and that is a very good start from my perspective.

Certainly the price is right...

Full disclosure - Markus has offered to give me a ball joint for free in addition to the one I've already purchased in exchange for this posting.

He also indicates he's working on rear ball joints for a run in the near future.

Markus can be contacted via eMail at matrom-at-web.de

[nathan]

thanks for posting WB.
id certainly be keen just to have some around! ill await TJs oppinion as he is quite knowledgable about these things.  or WGB for that matter who remains the only man that has documented his strut rebuilding endeavours!
nathan

[wbrian63]

Understood. Bill and TJ's opinions are welcome of course.

There's no arguing that until the part is installed and tested over many thousands of miles can a true opinion as to quality vs. price can be rendered.

At this early stage of the game, the only test that is valid is the "does it fit" test. I've confirmed that the holes in the base match the pattern in the original part. All that remains is to get the old one off to verify that the new one will screw into place properly.

I've been unable to find a service job in my manuals that discusses R&R of this part. Hopefully Bill knows what to do - I'm pretty sure this part has to come off to do a strut rebuild...

[motec6.9]

Let us know how they go as that is an excellent price. I don't need them at this point in time . As I checked mine when I had car on hoist to service the other week. But great find. 

[WGB]

It does have the good tough nylon boot as to the much softer rubber boot often found on lesser products.

Bill

[oversize]

I'd be very keen to purchase some of these.  But looking at the picture the threaded end seems to be longer than standard and the base appears to have a rough surface, which could indicate it's an old one that's been reconditioned.  I really hope I'm wrong....

[wbrian63]

As for thread length, I've never seen one of these parts detached from the strut, so I have no comment.

It could very well be that this is a reconditioned part. However, the seller indicates that he has 100 of these for sale - that would be a LOT of wrecking yard scavenging. I'll ask the seller.

Even if it is a reconditioned part - at $US85 vs $US770, I'll take the risk.

As WGB noted, the boot is nylon, which is superior to rubber. The movement of the joint is stiff as one would expect for a new part, but smooth in all quadrants. I compare this with the currently installed part on one of my struts which just flops around and feels like it's had a grit injection as it pivots.

Once installed, unless this is a really substandard part, it's unlikely I'll ever wear it out for as long as I own the car.

[oversize]

Yes it's definitely the right price.  As long as they fit and work as intended for 10 years I'd be very happy.

[etmerritt33]

I bought two of these from Tom Hanson about 18 months ago. Believe it was around $ 1K for both.