I guys,

I want to replace the front sway bar bushings, but when i removed the old ones the bar was a litle wear on the 4 spots where the bushings sit, now if i put the new ones they have some "slack", any thing i can do besides buying a new bar?

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Mercedes fanatic

1985 200D (w124) and totaled 190D

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Mercedes fanatic

1985 200D (w124) and totaled 190D

Thicker bushings from another application? Be sure to grease them, so they can slip around the bar.

If you have a welder buddy, he can weld it up a bit and then grind it back down. Make sure he jigs it so it doesnt bend.

i know how to weld and i've got the tools needed and that idea passed my mind, what do you mean by "jig it"?

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Mercedes fanatic

1985 200D (w124) and totaled 190D

I would advise against welding the anti-sway bar because that de-tempers the steel, it may bend at the critical point where its held by the bushings afterwards.
I saw a 300D that the owner hit a pot hole and the ASB snapped in two. Unfortunately it was the 123 chassis which is a huge job to replace. The 124 ASB is a piece of cake compared to that.
I would shim the bar with some rubber tape, maybe even thin brass sheet wound tightly just to make up the worn material, and lubricate the bushing as someone suggested.

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

are you sure you have the correct sway bar bushings?

I don't see how rubber bushings could wear out a steel sway bar.

I have replaced sway bar bushings on two 124's and i needed a bit of lube to get the new ones on.

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

Yes i have the correct ones, and they do need lubing to get them in place but when there they have some slack and you can rotate them by hand because the old ones wear out the bar and now it looks like this (crappy drawing):

Attached Thumbnails

 

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Mercedes fanatic

1985 200D (w124) and totaled 190D

" I would shim the bar with some rubber tape, maybe even thin brass sheet wound tightly just to make up the worn material"

I think that's a good idea, i'll try that!

Thanks guys

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Mercedes fanatic

1985 200D (w124) and totaled 190D

It rotates just a bit inside the bushings, no way to stop it. In fact, you don't want to -- it's a torsion spring.

Besides, you compress them quite a bit when you tighten the clamps down

Check the frame mounts for cracks -- one of mine broke, makes a terrible noise.

The new bushings have a fabric cover inside so they don't stick to the bar and tear so badly.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

I've never seen the bushings wear the bar... but I have seen them wear the black paint off the bar. Do you have a photo of what yours look like? Note that new factory bushings have a Teflon sleeve inside to reduce noise, and wear. I use WD-40 or silicone spray to lube them enough to make them slide into place. The should be snug.

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Dave
Boise, ID
Check out my website photos, documents, and movies!

Here's a photo of old, worn out bushings next to brand-new OE/factory bushings.

Can you inform what's the part number of the bushings?

1985 W124 200D

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Mercedes fanatic

1985 200D (w124) and totaled 190D

This document has the part numbers for the various bushings. Make sure you order the proper size bushings for the exact sway bar on your car - measure the diameter at each bushing, if possible:

http://www.w124performance.com/images/W124_sway_bars/124_swaybar_prices.pdf