w123 Sway Bar Links -- Metal vs. Plastic
 

Anyone have opinions and if one is better than the other? My 240D has it's original links and they are metal, you can buy plastic replacements or metal. But is one better than the other?

I just replaced my original metal links with the plastic ones. I had a bit of trepidation about it but the small boots on the metal ones were all torn up, so I figured the benefits of the plastic ones were that the small ball joints in them were brand new and so not loose as well as the plastic not being able to rust. Considering the size of the original metal ones being thinner tan a pencil, I don't think the stresses imparted upon them would be enough to hurt the plastic units. Just my opinion.

Phil Forrest

Yea, I kind of figure the plastic ones are fine, they are also cheaper.

I have never seen a plastic one bend or break.....the part that fails is the little grease filled ball socket/boot....which can happen just the same on a metal one.

Is the length the same? in the pictures the metal one`s look longer.
I think they went to plastic is because it is cheaper to manufacture.

Charlie

I just replaced the rear sway bar links on my w123. It had plastic so I put on new plastic ones. The old ones had loose ball joints and no boots left. I paid 19 for the pair on peachparts. Had them and the rest of the order inside a week.

It is nicer driving without all the clicking.

Changing them was simple I pulled the rear wheel and used a 17 mm open end wrench to unscrew it from the hub. I had two 17s ready to take off the top (at the sway bar) but only needed the one.

I am considering putting a stiffer rear sway bar or adding a second one to the rear. It understeers a lot. Will wait until I get new shocks though.