Got a good price on a new 500e sway bar, so I bought it. I'm going to install this weekend on my 1995 E420, but have a question: What do I use to lube the bar so i can slide the bushings up on it? I know that petroleum based grease is supposed to degrade rubber, so should I use silicon spray lube?

also - should I have any grease put on the bushing to eliminate squeaks? The inside of each bushing has a king of fabric bonded in, so it looks like squeaks might not occur unless the fabric wears away.

Anyone who's done this, please chime in and let me know what's worked for you.

Thanks,
Troy
1995 E420 98k

I used rubber lube, from a tire shop. Same thing they lube tire beads with for mounting on a wheel. It feels like soap & I'd bet hand soap would work fine, too. Grease tends to attack many types of rubber, so I wouldn't grease the bushings, as you said. Silicone spray? Maybe.

The MB bushings I got didn't have the fabric lining. Yours sound like an imrovement. Then again, mine were stock 260E businigs, not the super duper 500E goodies.

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Norm in NJ
Next oil change at 230,000miles

Thanks - I'll see if the garage up the street can spare a bit of rubber lube.

Yer gonna love the change!! I put on both front and rear!

Smokie

Am I going to screw up the handling much by only installing the front bar? All I could swing for $ was the front bar - maybe the rear at a much later date. I believe that many on this board have only done the front.

Troy

You will have more understeer and have the car "out of balance" without the matching 500E rear swaybar.

:-) neil

not hesitate to install the rear only. "more understeer" i suspect is a relative term. i bet it will handle better than before. if you dont like it you can always instll a rear bar later.

tom w

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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.