Service Information: Disassembling of ball joints with race

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Picture 1 Ball joint with race when installed

1 Race

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Picture 2 Ball joint with race

2 Contact surface to steering knuckle

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Picture 3 Sectional view of sealing bellows, clamping ring

1 Race

3 Clamping ring

 In order to further improve the service lives of ball joints, a new technology has been introduced for the selected joints on the front axle. This is metallic race (1) which is fixed in position between the ball joint and sealing bellows.

This race (1) is firmly pressed onto the ball joint and guarantees sealing to the rotating sealing bellows together with the small clamping ring (3). The shape of the race (1) alone defines the exact seating of the bellows without the influence of the conical pull-in. In this way we achieve a basic improvement in the sealing and service life of the ball joints.

In order to permanently safeguard the function of the new technology, it should be ensured that neither the race (1) is damaged or deformed nor grease can get into the conical joint during assembly and disassembly.

 If the race (1) is deformed or damaged, the complete sealing concept is faulty and an early failure of the ball joint is the consequence. In order to prevent this, only the special tool released in our repair methods should be used.

The pictures show a tie rod outer ball joint with race.

The following list shows which ball joints in which model series are equipped with a race:

Model 211 as of 01/2007: Tie rod outer ball joint

Model 216, 221: Ball joint of upper transverse control arm and tie rod outer ball joint

Model 164, 251: Ball joint of upper transverse control arm and tie rod outer ball joint