Torsion Bar saver for W123/W126, can it be bought in Europe?

[Fast_Lane_Dane]

The front torsion bar on my W126 broke the other day at the passengers side, where it is connected with the upper control arm.
I've read on the US Merc forum that:
a) Replacing the torsion bar is a troublesome 15-20 hour job
b) A torsion bar saver can be bought an welded on the torsion bar after cutting it of ½ an inch from where it thickens -
a claimed 1-hour job
I actually found the part on a website in US, but they only ship to US addresses, so I wonder if anyone on the forum knows if the part can be bought anywhere in Europe?

Link to description of problem with problem description and link to US parts shop (with thanks to "whunter" on the US forum):
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=1407191

FYI is the price in US pretty high, 127,50 $
Picture of the part is attached.

If it can be found in US only, I hope that this post at least can help other W123/W126 owners in saving appprox. 18 hours of work.


Regards,
Hans

 

[television]

We have members from the USA here, could you get one to post it if you paid for it first

 

[Fast_Lane_Dane]

Got it from USA

Received the torsion bar saver today

I bought it from baumtools.com, who ship inside US only, so I first had to get a ship-to adress in US. Several web companies provide/sell this kind of service, I chose shipito.com because I found references for them on the web and their prices seemed reasonable, but other providers are likely OK as well.
Price & time - well, ordered the spare part 20 April and received it 13 May, so one should posess a bit of patience
Costs was:
Item + shipping inside US to my (Californian ) address over there: 132 USD
Creating an account at shipito 8,50 USD (refunded with 1st shipment)
Shipping from US to DK 44 USD (you can pay more and get the item faster) so, item and shipping total was 176 USD ~ 116 GBP.
But - then came DK customs = 10% of item+shipping and DK VAT = 25% of it all = 387 DKK ~ 47 GBP (thieves & robbers, the lot...)
All in all, it sums up to 163 GBP for the torsion bar saver, which is a pretty penny indeed, but I still save approx 19 hours of work - only have to weld it in place now.
Hope this can help other W123/W126 owners with the same problem.

Brgds, Hans

 

[Fast_Lane_Dane]

The torsion bar saver is now welded into place, car handles perfect w.o. drift in the steering to either side, very recommendable, nifty repair set.

Regards, Hans

 

[television]

Good one Hans thank you for the feedback

 

[carabind]

out of interest why is replacement a 15-20 hour job ? Whats involved?

 

[television]

out of interest why is replacement a 15-20 hour job ? Whats involved?

I think it is the route that it takes and fit backwards under the engine on a 126