In an effort to smarted up the sloppy handling of my '84 300D, I decided to change my front swaybar mounts. Even though the job was a huge pain, I am very pleased with the results. The car no longer pitches (body rolls) into corners, and the overall ride has stiffened up. I have already replaced my shocks, which helped a lot, but I can say the swaybar bushings really gave it that "new car" feel.

It is possible to do this job with basic tools. You need about 12-14 inches of 1/4 inch extention, a 1/4 inch universal joint, and something for leverage (I used a 15mm wrench). With the long extentions and joint, you can unbolt the mount behind the brake booster. Then you manipulate the bushing out by placing the tool used for leverage inbetween the frame of the car and the swaybar inside the wheel well. There is a little plastic splash guard that you can remove to get the leverage tool in there. Its hard getting the bushing out of the driver's side, but it is possible with a lot of patients. The bushing on the drivers side comes out through the hole in the frame.

The passenger side bushing is easily replaced once you remove the battery, but you still need a tool to leverage the swaybar to get the bushing out.

An interesting aside - Mercedes does not list a replacement bushing for the rear swaybar. I called energysuspention (the polyurethane bushing company), and they didn't have anything available, but they told me to call JCWhitney, and I was able to order polyurethane bushing through them. I am expecting them in the mail this week, and I'm looking forward to the results!

Greg
'84 300D