Strange - I have relatively new Bilstein comforts on my front. Last weekend, when I jacked-up the left front to check tire wear, no matter how high I jacked-up the front, the whell kept very slowly lowering until it reached the ground. This is strange. It was as if there was no bottom in sight. I have not experienced any clunking or noises, other than a bit of pitching and swaying in front. Although I think my left front is about 1 inch lower than the opther side. Any thoughts? Stumped in Miami

The first thing I would check for both symptoms is a disconnected swaybar. Now, if the front wheel keeps lowering, at some point it will strain - then damage or shear - the brake hose on that side. The bump stop or shock extension limit should halt things before that, or you have another problem as well.

Steve

Thanks.

Since I'm going to jack up things tomorrow morning, could you advise me exactly whee the front swaybar is, how to get a good view of it, and the stops?

I really, really appreciate your assistance. That's what makes this forum great.

The front sway bar runs along the firewall. Looking into the front left fenderwell, it will come through the inner fender behind the wheel then bend forward to meet the upper control arm. Probably easier to see the joint with the wheel off, but turning the wheel to the extremes should give you a good view.

I'm not sure where the stops are, but another component to consider is the track rod that runs from the lower control arm to a frame member behind the front suspension. The bushing at the fixed end of the rod usually wears faster than the bushing at the lower control arm.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

Thanks, Sixto.

You know, when I look, I only see 2 separate short bars secured through either front fender wall to their respective upper control arms. Are they connected by one large sway bar, or are they short and separate?

Am I missing something?

Robert send me an email and I`ll send you a diagram from the service manual.
johnpiekarczyk@msn.com

Those short bars are part of the sway bar. It connects to the upper control arm, goes back about a foot, turns inside the fender, runs along the firewall and comes out at the other fender, etc.

That your car has the sway bar attached at both control arms is a positive sign. I've heard of sway bars disconnecting from the control arm. I suppose it's possible that yours is broken in the middle, but that would make all sorts of noise. Maybe it's time to check the sway bar bushings. There are bushings in each control arm and at least 2 along the firewall.

Is your front left shock absorber properly attached on top?

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

Sixto:

I'm curious. When you say is my left shock properly attached on upper mount, I've always been curious if the shop did it right. Because it is secured by one loicking nut (not 2, like typically in the past). The strut turns at the top. The brass-colored mounting plate has been placed in a convex - not concave - position. Does it seem right, or is this plate upside down?

Thanks again.

Robert,

I'm describing a W126 sedan. The post by '1991 560SEC' reminds me that you might have a coupe with a different sway bar layout. I'm pretty sure it's the same, but not 100% sure.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

Sixto-its a sedan (420 SEL '88).

I also have a coupe,and they are the same. Thia was taken from the 126 CD
John

I believe replacement Bilsteins come with only one nut. Maybe it has a nylon ring to keep if from backing out. If you turn the nut without holding the slotted shaft with a screwdriver, the whole thing will turn. The big washer on top is supposed to be convex (like a bowl rather than a dome).

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

Sixto-

Mine definitely is a dome, not placed down like a bowl. Are you sure? If installed incorrectly, I'm sure this can cause incorrect operation or damping.

blblbl... I meant it should be concave like a bowl.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

Bob,
Just sent a shock diagram.Looks concave to me{bowl].

John