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W126 aluminum trailing arm swap
Well, I was at PNP today and saw a 500SEL with
100K less miles than my SD, so I grabbed the aluminum trailing arms w/calipers, also the sway bar and springs. Noticed right off that the sway bar is different. Calipers are on the opposite side of the hub from the SD, too. My trailing arms are out now so I figure I'm halfway there. Everyone talks about those aluminum arms so I nabbed 'em. Are they plug N play--except for that sway bar. Also, are the springs & calipers specific to those Alum arms? Opinions from anyone whose done the swap would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jeff |
There is a fellow here who has studied it in detail. I believe maybe Stretch. I believe the mounts for the sway bar are larger with the aluminum arms.
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The caliper hydraulic connections may be in a different place on the caliper, but are otherwise the same. Springs can be directly exchanged physically, but may be of a different rate. |
Does anyone know if this would work in the W116? I know much of the suspension is the same between the W116 and W126 (control arms are identical), but I don't know how much is the same.
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Stretch was trying to install them on a W123 w/o good results.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/289638-trying-fit-aluminium-w126-107-trailing-arm-w123-question-compatib.html This thread is about installing them on a w126 http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/295454-w126-rear-control-arms-interchangeable.html Iam wondering if you also need the Sub frame that goes with the Aluminum arms? Charlie |
Yes, the hardware that attaches the sway bar to the subframe
is different on the two. Larger, with larger bolts and further apart on the 500. Frank, so just bolt up the new sway bar using the old hardware? That would be great. Seemed like stretch was going to have to weld his two sway bars together. Maybe because it was a 123? Jeff |
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I guess the W116 might also have axle related problems as I believe the axle cans on the W116 are larger than the W123 / 6 versions. Check with someone who has been around these beasts for longer than me! The downside to this conversion as far as a normally aspirated 300D / 240D is that the aluminium trailing arms are heavier than the steel. They are also more complicated and the last time I looked at the prices for the additional bearings and rubber connecting parts I took a deep breath... ...the benefits with a limited slip differential and a powerful engine however would be "well lush" |
Heavier? What a letdown!
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Yes, I am wondering if the benefits are worth it.
There's a reason they only put them on the bigger engines. As far as I can tell I would be the first one to do this swap and am beginning to wonder if this is worth it. I still need to figure out the bracket mod. Ok everyone, talk me into it or out of it............ Jeff |
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I had them on my 84 500 SEC and that was a very sweet handling car. It drove small.
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Need to figure out the hardware change.
For those who haven't seen it here are some photos. The bolts & bracket for the anti-squat bar are substantially stronger. The anti-squat bar will fit into the existing rubber mount. Maybe just get a longer bolt and stack two of the smaller brackets together? |
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http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...p-hardware.jpg To help me with my project I'm interested in learning the difference in length of the arms of the anti-roll bars (if any) => http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...p-bar-ends.jpg But only if you have the time |
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