2003 ML270cdi - track rod ends keep wearing out...?

[philcray]

Car is now 15 years old and has done 163k, since it did 132k it has had new track rod ends fitted on 6 occasions as follows:

162k - not sure which one as being done today, flagged as an mot fail....
160k - OSF
154k - OSF
143k - OSF
132k - OSF & NSF (NSF renewed to enable wheel balancing so not actually worn out)

Anyone have any ideas why this may be happening? The car was hit by an object just after the 132k track rod ends were fitted, this damaged the OSF wheel and bumper, no other damage was noted but this may well have something to do with it?

Interestingly, the car used to go through front tyres in c15-17k max but the current set have been on now for over 30k (since about 132k in fact) so not sure if this increased longevity has anything to do with the TRE's being replaced every 5 minutes.....?

[jkh112]

Are you having genuine ones fitted or the same aftermarket brand?

[philcray]

They are genuine MB parts, it was the NSF which was replaced for the mot so that one had been on for 30k but still not many miles. I asked the mechanic if he had any ideas why they keep wearing out but he didn't....

Bit of a mystery!