I now know what the part is - it is the front stabilizer bar. Unfortunately the one from the parts car at the local MB Tech has already been pulled, so the search begins.

According to Franz, the bar could have broken due to hitting a solid object (usually results in bending the bar) or worn/bad sub frame mounts. I will be checking those out when I get a replacement stabilizer.

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Mike Tangas
73 280 SEL 4.5