How do I diagnose possible rear sway bar issues? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 01-23-2003, 08:08 AM

Hi,
The back end on my E500 just doesnt seem 'planted' lately. Two MB dealers have checked out the suspension and found nothing wrong. However, the seat of my pants advise otherwise.
I noticed this morning that the car seems to want to lean in the back more than usual, when turning. I am beginning to think this might be rear-sway bar related. The car has 57K miles and shocks/ rear cells are new.
How can one tell if a sway bar bushing needs replacing, if there is no discernable movement (when wiggling by hand) within the sway-bar? Do these bushings commonly go bad? Could it be the sway-bar link itself? What else might be causing a generally more than usual lateral undulation and rear body lean during driving/ cornering?
Thanks in advance
farrukh

yal · #2 01-23-2003, 11:18 AM

You've probably done this but check your tire pressure.

#3 01-23-2003, 11:39 AM

The sway bar has nothing to do with the ride height.
The sway bar bushings could be worn but there are dozens of other bushing in the rear suspension that could go bad.
JackD

haasman · #4 01-23-2003, 11:53 AM

fhmajid

It isn't neccesarily obvious, but you can look where the body bushing supports the sway bars and see some wear. But if you take off the old bushing and compare it a new one, it becomes very obvious.

To illustrate how I feel about it, when I bought our wagon ('95 with 55k miles) I immediately change the front and rear sway bar bushings. Made a noticeable difference. Less sway f&r and more resistent to cross winds.

For a DIY job, replacing the front and rear sway bar bushings is quite easy. I would replace these if I just got a 500E with 60k miles. As a matter of fact, I am looking forward to doing that some day! I do replace these bushings with EVERY Benz I get. It always makes a difference.

Remember the fronts take four bushings (2 for each at the lower control arms and 2 for the body links) the rears only take two.

Sounds like you are attuned to your car. It is often said that what you do to one end of your car influences how the other feels. Thus if the back "feels" more sway, it could be worn front sway bar bushings.

Let us know,

Haasman

#5 01-23-2003, 12:00 PM

Thanks Haasman.
Your experience is quite helpful!
Incidentally, is does the "Haas" in your handel have anything to do with UC Berkley?? :-)

haasman · #6 01-23-2003, 12:06 PM

Unfortunately not.

If it did, I would suppose I would have been telling you about changing my sway bar bushings on my 500E!

Haasman