I have a 1998 E320.

My dealer says I need lower Ball Joints and front lower control arms to be replaced. There are hairline cracks in them.
It's about a $1,200 repair.

How urgent is this repair, and does it need to be done without any symptoms on my car?

Thanks,
Nate

 

Can anyone answer this for me?

 

if you hear a knocking sound over bumps then one of the problems could be lower ball joints but sometimes they will just have some play but will still be recommended by a dealership. if there are really bad and are noisey its a good idea to replace the ball joints but if not I would wait till some noise starts to occur.

as far as the control arms..do they mean the control arm bushings have cracks or the control arms have cracks?

 

no noises or symptoms.

I think they mean the outside casings have hairline cracks on the control arms.

 

I have a 2000 e320 wagon and I thought I needed ball joints when in fact the spring perch was about to seperate from the inner panel and made the noise of a bad ball joint.

 

yes common on the older e class and dangerous