OZBENZ

Inspired by Ivanerrol's post about his W210, I decided after only several years of thinking about it, to replace the front anti-roll (sway) bar bushes on my W124.

Actually fairly easy, the evidence being in not too much swearing during the process, and no blood leaking afterwards.

I used "ramps" and had no issues undoing the bolts and removing the bar. I did leave the top of the inner clamps attached, but loose enough to swing away to allow the bar to drop.

The old bushes actually looked OK, but were rock hard, so I had to cut the inners to remove.

After cleaning the bar, the new inners went on with a reasonable amount of force. A bit of KY (thanks for that tip Les), before wrapping some cloth around the bush to give something thicker to grip while working them around the bend. The outers were very easy to fit.

Re-mounting everything was a bit of a pain. Four hands would have been great.

I started by attaching one of the wishbone (outer) mounts first (either one). The new bushes were much thicker and softer, but it was easy enough to get the outer bracket located with a couple of turns of both nuts. Step 2 was to fit the opposite outer bracket, taking care to make sure the inner bushes are lined up with and seated in their brackets. After a couple of swears I got the opposite outer bracket attached.

Re-attaching the lower nuts and bolts for the inner clamps required vice grips to compress the new bushes. More swears but eventually done, with everything still very loose to make sure the bar is centred. Then a gradual tightening of all nuts and bolts. I'd suggest starting with the centre mounts (open to advice from those that might actually have a clue), periodically checking that the bar protrudes from the the left and right outer mounts by equal amounts.

Very happy with the result, with the front suspension now being clunk-free.

Now you will probably kick yourself.
I have a brand new set of W124 sway bar bushes in my garage with no car to put them on. :whistle:
if you live in Melbourne's inner East - probably only a few K's from me.

Ivanerrol wrote: ↑Sat 30 Sep, 2017 11:02 am Now you will probably kick yourself.
I have a brand new set of W124 sway bar bushes in my garage with no car to put them on. :whistle:
if you live in Melbourne's inner East - probably only a few K's from me.

Are you still in Ivanhoe?

Given that you've put me off getting a W204 (and I think the W211 a bit excessive for my needs), I could just pick up a decent 2nd W124 (for half of what I paid for DBW124) so I might need them :dance:

Also the bushes I bought were the Meyle kit for AU$25 incl postage, so who knows how long they'll last.

DBW124 wrote: ↑Sat 30 Sep, 2017 8:36 pm
Are you still in Ivanhoe?

Given that you've put me off getting a W204 (and I think the W211 a bit excessive for my needs), I could just pick up a decent 2nd W124 (for half of what I paid for DBW124) so I might need them :dance:

Also the bushes I bought were the Meyle kit for AU$25 incl postage, so who knows how long they'll last.

Still in Ivanhoe - for now. A large apartment building is about to start construction next door either this week or the next.

I have some Lemforders and also some Meyles.
The ones on your car lasted for 20 years plus so even Meyles should be O.K. for a few years.

Merc-304 wrote:Have to be worth spending a bit more buying these Bushes in Urethane ?

Probably not actually, because one thing that Genuine Mercedes swaybar bushes have is a heavy rope reinforcing on the contact area inside, so when it's properly installed lasts a bloody long time. longer than the urethane ones - I speak from experience.

On the front the only bushes to use are the sportline ones on the LCA, but the inboard bushes can be standard spec. The outboard bushes are subject to a lot more flex and urethane ones need a lot more maintenance than the factory parts.

It's important to use the genuine assembly lube though. I don't know exactly what it is, but it is way better than everything else I've used. Lasts a lot longer than everything else too, and even resists direct high pressure water to a greater extent than the white urethane grease.