Replacing Drop Links

The drop links on the Mercedes-Benz 'A' Class must be one of the most talked about components on the car, causing the owners to be concerned about the noise which comes from the area of the front suspension and wheel arch. This is most noticeable on rough surfaces when travelling at 20-30mph
Why is it that this particular item gives so much trouble and gives so much pain to its Owners. As can be seen the rod or drop link as it is more often called consists of a steel ball and man made material socket, and although it is pre-packed with grease the socket eventually wears and we get the rattle caused by the movement of the suspension and components. Humans also suffer the same complaint but suffer greater pain. They would I'm sure gladly pay £100 per hour and £30.00 for the bits to get rid of their pain that's associated with a worn out hip joint, again a ball and socket! So we shouldn't complain. Ironically the bits that form the replacement are not dissimilar to the ones displayed here.

In times past these items would have been manufactured from all metal components and a grease nipple would have been provided in the construction, which allowed service centres and owners to keep the ball and socket well packed with grease, using a grease gun! Any play that appeared was taken up by the grease.
In this Modern World car designers think they know better and have done away with that facility, hence you now have to replace the whole unit, albeit on the ones I have just replaced on my car only two of the four sockets were worn.

Drop links can be purchased from Mercedes-Benz parts departments, as well as other outlets, GSF for instance supply what they call "Anti Roll bar Link rods" and although there is no picture in their Car Parts Catalogue, I'm quite sure they are talking about the same component. Theirs are about half the price when you add the VAT. And remember Baby-Benz members get 10% off list price with GSF.