I will be changing my sway bar links soon, and the R & R instructions on the Alldata site say not to tighten unless the slef spreading bolt without the wheels in contact with the ground. Searched the archives here and saw no mention of that. Would the proper procedure be to get them in place with the nuts attatched, replace the wheels and lower the car to tighten, or could I tighten the bottom nut before lowering the car. Any experience out there? Thanks.

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Earl McLain
'02 C230 Kompressor
'89 560 SEL "Frau BlueCar" (retired April 2004)

Changed sway bar links and bushings Wednesday night. Hard to believe how much smoother and stable the car is, not to mention that the "clunk" is gone. I still intend to change the hydraulic accumulators, but it's not nearly as urgent as it seemed. The repair was relatively easy, and went smoothly, did one side at a time, and finished in about an hour and a half working slowly.

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Earl McLain
'02 C230 Kompressor
'89 560 SEL "Frau BlueCar" (retired April 2004)

Did you do front and rear?

Only did the rear. Front has new tie rods 2 months ago, and the rest of the bushings seem okay there. I've had idler arm bushings waiting to be installed, should get to that soon. I've got new accumulators to install in the rear, and that should complete the suspension. Last major project to go is a leaking and slipping tranny, then we will decide whether to replace front leather or just get sheepskins for now. The last four and a half months have been filled with nickels and dimes and a few quarters, but what a great car!!

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Earl McLain
'02 C230 Kompressor
'89 560 SEL "Frau BlueCar" (retired April 2004)