Rear sway bar link...Has anyone changed these?
 

I have been sorting through my new Mercedes and think I found a source of a noise. It has a clicking noise in the rear. I put a wrench on the sway bar link and could move it up and down and got about a 1/4-1/2 of play with a click on movement both ways.

I assume that I have to pull the wheel to gain access. I saw the link at pelican parts for less than 10 dollars. Might not be hard to make a strut arm using a piece of metal and get it done right now.

On what car are we talking about? I've replaced them both in my 190E and 300SD. Both were pretty easy to do. I upgraded the 190E's to metal links but I am unsure if one can do the same with the 300SD.

One of the easiest jobs to do on these cars

Think the rear links are held on with a 17mm nut. probably easier to get to with the wheel off.

An 84SD/D uses a plastic link part# 123 320 09 89 (that`s the yr I looked up)

If you want the metal links, part# 115 320 15 89.
80 300SD W116 and a 76 240D W115 use the same one.

Charlie

On mine the besides the Plastic Links there is also rubber Bushings where it Bolts to the Frame. That is also a common area where things get rusted.

I sheared off one of the Bolts that held the Bushing Clamp down.
Drilled out and re-tapped it to slighly a larger size Bolt; fixed.

Yeah I had the vehicle info under my name a 85 Merc 300D sedan. My silver eagle. Here is my intro post: My 85 MB 300D

The link is plastic or nylon. Kind of cheap considering the cost of the car. It has 200k on it so it has done it's job. Makes sense that there is some sort of bushing at each end.

I am making a list of parts I need.

Oh thanks for the part numbers.

And yes a 17mm fit the nut on the sway bar. I didn't have the new part so I just wiggled it and could detect play on one side. Might be wise to do both though.

Very easy. Take off the wheel and replace the link. Nothing (very little) to it.

Answer
 

Yes, always replace them in pairs.


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Answer
 

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/240945-plastic-sway-bar-end-link.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/91053-need-83-300d-rear-sway-bar-link-anyone.html


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Thanks for the direct link.
I am making a small pile of things I want to get. Oil filter transmission filter and gasket. Also thinking of fuel injectors.

My car doesn't have a great powerband yet, my 1.6 vw diesel will tromp it in top gear at 50 mph. The Merc has to be almost 60 before you can can feel the acceleration in 4th.

I think Rube Goldberg had hand in designing the throttle linkage, how many rods and spherical rod ends are there? There must be a spring I can remove in the linkage to reduce the pedal pressure. I figure that the Merc has twice the HP of the VW, it should go pretty well particularly on the highway. I am still a newbie with it. One step at a time however.

Takes longer to remove the tires for clearance.

I'm wondering if the unit for a 116, see attachment, will fit, if so, I'd go with them.

Part number 115 320 1589.

I finally got a start on this project. I did the truly loose one. Took about 20 minutes 10 of those were deciding how to get the wheel link loose. Turns out it was just screwed into the hub. No reason to not have a quiet running car. Tomorrow I do the "good" side.
http://veloliner.com/mb/benzillarearswaybarlink.JPG
The old one didn't have any seals on it and each end had a quarter inch of play.