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#1
03-02-2003, 10:25 AM
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Front Sway bar bushings on a 115 -advice please
I am replacing the sway bar links on the rear of my w115 1976 240d today and I went ahead and bought the front sway bar bushings from Phil while I was at it.
I searched the threads but I could not find anything on bushings for a 115. Has anybody replaced these? Are there any secrets, tricks or things to watch out for? As always, thanks for the help!
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Ncnetman 1959 Chev 3100 Fleetside 1965 Mustang 1968 Torino GT fastback 1969 Ranchero 1974 240d 4-speed -for sale 1976 240d fresh paint- on hold 1978 300cd fresh paint and new rearwindshield rubber 1990 6.2 Suburban 194k-getting a 6.5 turbo 2008 Duramax Silverado 2015 VW Passat TDI 
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#2
03-02-2003, 11:45 AM
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Left side is easy, right side is a pure b.....h. The bushing is up inside a box section, very hard to get to. Two bolts that hold the "cup" on for the bushing, easy to replace once you get the stinking bolts out -- and going in on the right side is worse! Put the top bolt on the right side in first, you won't be able to get it started if the lower one is in.
They will cure that sub-threshold thump and muted rattle you get, and greatly reduce body roll! Check the rears, too. Peter
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1972 220D ?? miles 1988 300E 200,012 1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles 1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000 1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!
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#3
03-02-2003, 10:29 PM
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Got it!
The rear sway bar links were very easy and quick, 10 minutes for both sides.
The bushings for the ends of the front were simple and quick, 15 minutes for both. The drivers side frame sway bar bushing was not too bad although it was a lot easier once I sprayed the bushing and bracket/cup so I could slide them back into place. The passenger side, what sadistic engineer came up with this design?. The only thing that kept the job from being a royal PITA was a 13mm ratcheting wench. I actually started the bottom bolt a few threads and then started the top bolt by reaching through the gap in the box from the middle of the car. Even with the ratcheting wench I had to hold a finger on the bolt as it tightened and it took 30 minutes for this side, with a regular wench I would have missed several meals.  I checked the rear sway bar bushings and they seemed to be in good shape but I did find a bad shock on the left rear. (next on the list) In checking everything the rubber bushings on the front subframe mounts behind the coil springs can be moved with a finger and the subframe moves up and down very easily with a crowbar. Are they designed to be this loose or do I need to put them on "the list" too?
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Ncnetman 1959 Chev 3100 Fleetside 1965 Mustang 1968 Torino GT fastback 1969 Ranchero 1974 240d 4-speed -for sale 1976 240d fresh paint- on hold 1978 300cd fresh paint and new rearwindshield rubber 1990 6.2 Suburban 194k-getting a 6.5 turbo 2008 Duramax Silverado 2015 VW Passat TDI
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#4
03-02-2003, 10:40 PM
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Put them on the list. If you can see the bolt head on the bottom with the car sitting on the ground, or see space between the top of the bushing and the frame with the weight off the front wheels, replace. Makes it handle better, too.
Plan on new engine mounts and a new tranny mount, and expect to replace the rear subframe and diff mounts. All the rubber looks like the door gaskets -- shot. After all, we are talking nearly 30 years old here.... Peter
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1972 220D ?? miles 1988 300E 200,012 1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles 1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000 1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!
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#5
03-06-2003, 11:10 PM
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Gear wench
I found the correct name for the wench I called a ratcheting wench that saved the front sway bar bushing job from being so bad. The sears catalog called it a "gear wench". The one I used was straight but if it had the flex head I think the job might even have been fun.
Got the shocks, front subframe kit and other goodies in from phil today and I hope to get to them this weekend. Thanks for the help
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Ncnetman 1959 Chev 3100 Fleetside 1965 Mustang 1968 Torino GT fastback 1969 Ranchero 1974 240d 4-speed -for sale 1976 240d fresh paint- on hold 1978 300cd fresh paint and new rearwindshield rubber 1990 6.2 Suburban 194k-getting a 6.5 turbo 2008 Duramax Silverado 2015 VW Passat TDI Last edited by NC240D76; 03-06-2003 at 11:22 PM.
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#6
03-07-2003, 03:12 AM
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Those Gearwrenches are available in a flexhead design as well.
Snap-On and Mac Tools also offer flex-head ratchting wrenches. With these tools, I did the bushings on my 76' 240D in minutes. There could have been serious cussing otherwise! DR.D
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