steering? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Quahog · #1 12-20-2014, 03:33 PM

not necessary to replace upper control arm. I did because it was one of those while-I'm-in-there things.

torsion bar = swaybar

this is not easily replaced w/o removing engine from car, hence the repair sleeve.

Did you just lose the bushing + washer + bolt on the end? threaded area still there?

adamkat22 · #2 12-20-2014, 03:41 PM

carpenter man said

"You can probably buy the torsion arm bushings, washer and bolt separately, but if it was me, I'd go ahead and buy the kit and replace the entire arm. "

i am just trying to confirm which 'kit' and which arm he is talking about replacing...i'm assuming a bushing kit for the torsion bar (although I don't see one at the peach parts store) and replacing the upper control arm...

Quahog · #3 12-20-2014, 03:46 PM

Pelican Parts.com - Mercedes Torsion Bar Saver, S Class Models

Quahog · #4 12-20-2014, 04:04 PM

couldn't tell from your photos, but if the bar-end has not broken off, you just need a bushing, washer & bolt to be on your way.

here is a photo of the other side that wasn't broken, where I just replaced the upper arm.

Carpenterman · #5 12-20-2014, 04:17 PM

You can do whatever you want about replacing the entire upper control arm or not. It looks worn to me. There shouldn't be any side to side movement. If there is, it will mess up your alignment.

Anyway, this is the arm. Since I couldn't find it on Peachparts, the links are from the auto haus in Arizona:

http://www.***************/search/product.aspx?sid=ooa1zh2tubecfc45xmviz355&makeid=800016@Mercedes&modelid=1194308@300TD%20&year=1981&cid=27@Suspension%20System&gid=7536@Control%20Arm%20%26%20Ball%20Joint%20Assembly

Since it doesn't come with the sway bar bushings:

http://www.***************/search/product.aspx?sid=ooa1zh2tubecfc45xmviz355&makeid=800016@Mercedes&modelid=1194308@300TD%20&year=1981&cid=27@Suspension%20System&gid=7532@Control%20Arm%20Bushing

I couldn't find the bolt and the washer. May have to go to the dealer.

P.S. You don't have to remove the engine to replace the sway bar, but the battery tray, some heating hoses, and brake booster have to be removed.

Carpenterman · #6 12-20-2014, 05:23 PM

You know, Quahog, it's great that you were able to repair your sway bar with the repair kit, but why confuse the poster with your information until he determines that he needs it.

Just replace the god*****amn arm with bushings and see how it works.

leathermang · #7 12-22-2014, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quahog

.......torsion bar = swaybar ....

Not technically correct.

""The part might be termed a "sway bar" (more properly "anti-sway"), but it is more than that. On most cars, you can remove the sway bar without affecting the basic steering and suspension - i.e. the way the wheels track the road. They are optional to minimize body leaning in turns. Not so on these cars. The sway bar also locates the upper ball joint fwd & aft, so is necessary to align the front wheel. '"--- Bill Grissom

General mechanical knowledge and nomenclature pause....

As Bill mentioned this is a combo unit....
but in the past ' torsion bar' was a NON COILED spring.... usually placed lengthwise with the car... it took the place of coiled springs.... Mid sixties Plymouths were a good example of this... saves a lot of room around the suspension components...

The Mercedes 230 SL also had this.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIuo82fubVA

as these are sometimes used interchangeably ... and sometimes not precisely correctly.... thought I would bring up the bigger picture for people to be aware of when reading about suspensions...

Quahog · #8 12-22-2014, 11:47 AM

Baum Tools called it a torsion bar... have seen it called a swaybar... it is confusing.

I hope everything works out ok.