Torsion bar/ Sway bar.

[TedMartin]

Hi,
I have recently got rid of a very annoying noise coming from the front end. It turned out to be the torsion bar/ rods. I've disconnected the rods attached to the torsion bar completely and no more noise. Now the question. Can I drive without the torsion bar being connected? Is it safe? The job involved in changing these parts is tremendous and I was wondering whether I could do away with the torsion bar altogether. The car is W211 320cdi 2003. What is the real purpose of the torsion bar and do all makes of cars make use of it?

Thanks.
Ted.

 

[EmilysDad]

another name for them is also anti-roll bar ..... the clue is in the name. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-roll_bar

It would not be a good idea to leave it off

 

[grahamcol]

Don't think I'd drive it without it being sorted properly. I can imagine excess loads on other components as a result, after all it was designed with the torsion bar present. Also should anything serious happen, say a nasty accident, you'd probably be in serious trouble with the authorities and perhaps invalidate your insurance cover too. Just not worth the risk in my opinion.

 

[TedMartin]

Hi all,
My question was because I know for a fact that on the ML type the torsion bar is disconnected for off-roading. I thought that the 320cdi,being much lower than the ML, would not be affected on normal roads. Also some makes, I believe, don't even have them. Thanks for your advice.

Regards.
Ted.

 

[KennyN]

What type of noise was it and why did it disappear when you disconnected the bars ?

If they were not crucial then they would not be there and if not fixed properly and left disconnected it will be an MOT failure , not to mention dangerous.

Normally you have two underbody mounts and two droplinks connecting the bar to the suspension components so not too complex to repair , i would imagine.

K

 

[noonboots]

If you have already disconnected the old ones, then reconnecting new ones is just a reverse of what you've already done. Not a "tremendous" job surely?
Driving without them connected is not to be advised.

 

[TedMartin]

What type of noise was it and why did it disappear when you disconnected the bars ?

If they were not crucial then they would not be there and if not fixed properly and left disconnected it will be an MOT failure , not to mention dangerous.

Normally you have two underbody mounts and two droplinks connecting the bar to the suspension components so not too complex to repair , i would imagine.

K

I disconnected the two droplinks that connect to the suspension. The noise was a ginding one whenever I went over a slight ramp. By tremendous job I meant changing the torsion bar not the droplinks. I've already ordered the droplinks, which by the way are manufactured in different lengths, and will be changing them next weekend. If the noise continues what would be your advice? Perhaps change the bar?

Regards.
Ted.

 

[KennyN]

If the noise continues what would be your advice? Perhaps change the bar?

Regards.
Ted.

Dont know how the bar can make a grinding noise unless something was rubbing on it , possibly a creaking noise if the body mounted bushes were shot.

Unless it was bent / broken i see no advantages of replacing the bar.

K

 

[TedMartin]

Dont know how the bar can make a grinding noise unless something was rubbing on it , possibly a creaking noise if the body mounted bushes were shot.

Unless it was bent / broken i see no advantages of replacing the bar.

K

Thanks for that.
The bar is firmly fixed to the underside so I would agree entirely with you. It doesn't seem as the source of the noise, though I've heard people talk about the rubber bushes used. Again it seems that the bushes and the bar are all one piece. The bottom part of the droplink is attached to the track control arm, which was replaced not even a year ago. So I doubt very much that this is gone. Both sides. As I've mentioned, the droplinks have already been ordered and will get changed as soon as I get them. I will carry on from there and come back with the results.

Regards.
Ted.

 

[pgh13]

If you've replaced the drop links, it just leaves the bushes. Can you spray some WD and see if it cures it short term?