Anti-roll bar bushes

[Richh]

Hi,

It appears I have worn anti roll bar bushes on the front of my C Class 2001 as they are creaking badly, I have tried spraying them with silcone spray and grease but no luck, how easy is it to change them myself and if so how do I go about it.

Do I have to take the roll bar off ? etc.

are the bushes in two halfs? ie to avoid taking the roll bar drop links off

any help would be a appreciated.

Many Thanks

 

[Ade]

Rich

The bushes on my '91 230TE were a doddle, cost about £16+VATfrom Mercedes and took about an hour all in. Bushes on mine are one piece

I jacked the front of the car, removed the roll bar at the 4 retaining points (8 bolts total), slid the old rubbers off and slid the new ones on. Rebolted bar to car.

Keep front wheels straight and mark the position of old rubbers on the bar before removing to get new rubbers in the same place.

Can't see yours being much different. Have you a Haynes manual? It would be wise to invest in one before starting these sorts of jobs if you haven't.


Good luck.

Ade

 

[alancolvin]

This is a common problem on W203 C-Class cars (read my posting of 31 July, currently on page 4)

MB redesigned the bushes, with new mounting brackets intended to shield the bushes from dirt and water penetration.

However, in my experience, they still wear out far too quickly.

Also, when you are replacing the bushes, check the drop links for wear. Grab hold of the drop link and test for any play in the connection to the shock absorber housing (at the top) and the anti-roll bar (at the bottom). If there is any movement, fit new drop links. This is also a relatively easy DIY job, but make sure you get the correct version of drop-links - MB can identify this from your chassis number.

 

[Richh]

Just been to dealer to get new bushes, apparently they don't stock them any more they only now sell the whole bar with the bushes moulded on.

How easy is it to change the front anti roll bar

 

[alancolvin]

I find it hard to believe that you can't buy just the bushes.

Three weeks ago I bought bushes from my local MB dealer (total cost under £10), having also checked up that another MB dealer a few miles further away also had them in stock and quoted me the same price.

There has been a design change to the drop links, which are now much heavier duty, and the new design of these only fits a new design of a combination of shock absorber housing, anti-roll bar and bushes.

However, the older design of drop links and bushes are still available and can be bought individually.

I suggest you try phoning other MB dealers parts departments.

 

[guydewdney]

rubber mounting, torsion bar (mb speak for anti roll bar)
203 323 05 85 7 us dollars approx (i have the US epc...)

rod, torsion bar and shock absorber, front (mb speak for anti roll bar drop link) 203 320 04 89 - 77 US dollars approx EACH!

hope that helps