I have read that a larger sway bar on the front end will result in better handling. If so, what is the best one for an 87 300D or 87 300TDT?

Local PNP has a 94 S420 and an 89 560 SEL. Will either work with the 300's? If so, which is better?

Thank You!

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1987 300 TD - Kraut
1987 300 D - Hans

I don't know the answer to your specific question but I can say with some certainty that if you change the front bar you should change the rear too. They'll come in matched pairs. If you put a bigger bar up front without its matching rear the car will push at maximum cornering. Change the matched pair and it should stay balanced but have less sway and feel better.

I expect you'll have to stay with the same body style, 124, and look for bars from a wagon or a car with a more powerful motor like the v8, or a sporting model.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

If I remember correctly the estate version has the thicker diameter sway bar.

I have read (quite a bit) about the mounts for these front sway bars breaking away from the chassis - I have a theory that this is because people tighten them in place with the vehicle up on sticks - so if you do change them tighten them on the ground after rolling the car backwards and forwards if it has been up in the air.

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

Yes I agree with that thought. The originals may even have been installed at a no load height. Wheels tend to be the last things installed in production.

Or the mounts where under designed is another possibility.

Yes I agree with that thought. The originals may even have been installed at a no load height. Wheels tend to be the last things installed in production.

Or the mounts where improperly designed is another possibility. It is a torsion bar and has to rotate a little at least.

If you ever get to see them and hold them in your hand you'd probably think that =>

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

The 124 was produced with a large variety of suspension variations. There actually was a 124 model produced with off-road suspension. Modifying the model of 124 you have may not improve your expectancy, unless you are stepping outside the box..for your reasons only.

A 87 300D already has heavier sway bars than a 300E.
Assuming you're looking at the sport ones, I don't know that you would have noticeable results.

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1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

I am running an 400E bar in the front and a 210 bar in the rear. Google the topic there are good spreadsheets on what works, thickness and cost.

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Thanks for the insight!

I found a PDF of the spreadsheet you referred to Winmutt. Thank you for the pointers. Seems as though GSXR is the grand guru on the W124's.

Are the part numbers stamped on the actual sway bars? If so, where is the number? I will prowl the local PaP and see what is available.

Thank You!

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1987 300 TD - Kraut
1987 300 D - Hans

I just take a wrench and slip it over various parts of the bar. 400e is most likely to be found in jy that has larger front bar. The w210 rear bar is also easy to find.