I have a cracking/creaking noise in the front end of my 2000 ml430. It only occurs when front end suspension is in movement. Suspect it is probably the torsion bar. Does anyone have a diagram of the front end, specifically the location of the torsion bar?

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Steve32

Here's a start http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213951&chapter=EPI346&appSectionid=19&groupid=20135&subgroupid=61921&componentid=0&make=67&model=Ml430&year=2000&graphicID=F346050&callout=14&catalogid=1

That helps, except I cannot determine the bushings that would be responsible for the creaking/cracking noise. Can anyone provide input or determine which bushings to replace?

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Steve32

If the noise IS from the anti-sway bar then numbers 18 & 19 in that picture would be the needed parts...MB offers part NUMBER 163-320-03-73 as a COMPLETE KIT for the anti-sway bar.

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I repaired an ML320 at 100K km with a very similar noise.

I wasn't certain of the source, and all of the bushings looked superficially okay. I opted to replace cheapest-and-easiest first. Those were the swaybar end bushings shown as #19.

Immediately eliminated the noise. No problems since that time.

I don't recall any unusual steps or tricks being required. All bolts are easily accessed.