w126 front sway bar bushings
 

I need to change the sway bar bushings on my 83 300sd. The mount under the battery is accessible, but does anyone have suggestions on how to reach the left side under the fuse box without removing the brake master cylinder/booster? Can the fuse box be lifted out enough to reach the bolts?

Thanks for any tips.

John

When I was contemplating this I didn't think there was an easy way to do the left side - that's one reason I didn't do it.. and now it squeaks louder and louder...

Someone will have some way I'm sure...

You may have to remove the under hood fire wall to gain access.

Use the search function for this site.

There is a ton of information here.
I did this on my '83 SD without taking any firewalls apart etc.

Search for "epic sway project" and you'll find my thread on this....you DO have to remove the outer firewall, along with the brake booster and master cylinder and all climate control hoses and the monovalve and aux pump and battery and battery tray. :eek: Its a "fun" project.

I will kindly disagree unless you are replacing the entire sway bar. But for the bushings, nope.

I'm only replacing the bushings, not the bar. I saw your project pics, nice! I can't find any DIY for just the bushings under the fuse box, so please point me in that direction.

John

To do just the bushing under the box, you'll still need to pull the brake booster and master cylinder to get at it. It has huge nuts holding the bracket down (19mm) and you'll need a 10" or longer 1/2" drive extension to reach down in there. Just undo the bracket with the car on a level surface, pry off the old bushing, and shove on a new one. Clamp bracket back down, install other stuff....done.

If it is rusty down in there, now is your change to do repairs on it.

job completed
 

Just a follow up to my original post. After receiving the bushings from Phil, I proceeded to change the right side, both the bushing under the battery and in the upper control arm. Pretty straight forward.

Thanks to Crash here on the forum, I tackled the left side without removing the brake M/C or booster. The clamp nuts can be accessed with an extension on the front and back side of the fuse box. Then pull the plastic cover in the wheel well that the sway bar goes thru. I destroyed mine and plan on using some canned foam to fill the gap. Loosen the nuts and pry the clamp off and spray some sort of lubricant on the bar and old bushing. It came out without much trouble. Lube the bar again and using some grunt work and a rubber mallet the new bushing can be seated. Reapply the clamp and bolts and your done. If you drop a socket down in behind the boost it's a bear to retrieve. Don't ask me how I know. ;)

I don't have huge hands but some of you guys might be a little cramped for space.