The sway bar should be clean. A problem comes in removing the paint. The bar should be covered (protected) as much as possible to prevent surface cracks that ultimately mean a broken bar. It is my understanding that the bars are covered in a durable epoxy paint.

When I replaced the front bushings on a 300SD I had to clean the bar quite a bit around the bushing contact area. I used a tough plastic scrubbie and worked at it quite a bit.

I did lube the bushings with a light coat of silicone spray. They never groaned. I believe the bushings, when installed at the factory, if they are the older style, did have some silicone on them.

The bar should not be "gripped" by the two big rubber bushings but instead securely locate the bar and allow movement.

I noticed in replacing the 124 front bar bushings that they had a new almost corrugated type of inner material running in parallel to the bar to facilitate movement.

Haasman

__________________
'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)