Mercedes-Benz Sway Bar Bushing Replacement
Is there a clunking noise when going over bumps, and the suspension feels loose on your Mercedes-Benz? Learn how to fix the problem by replacing the sway bar bushing of your vehicle. This guide provides instructions on fixing a Mercedes Benz squicky suspension due to sway bar bushing.
Mercedes Benz’s sway bar bushing or torsion bar bushing rarely breaks; however, the rubber in these bushings would wear out over time. The easiest way to replace the sway bar bushings is by following our step-by-step guide below.
Symptoms
- One of the symptoms of a faulty sway bar bushing is a feeling of loose suspension when traversing a rough or uneven road.
- Clunking noise when going over bumps from one or both sides of a vehicle’s front carriage can also be a symptom of faulty sway bar bushings,
What you will need
- Mercedes-Benz Sway Bar Bushing
- Wheel Chocks
- Lug Wrench
- Floor Jack
- Jack Stands
- Mechanic Metric Toolset
- 8mm Socket
- 18mm Socket
- 13mm Deep Socket
- Breaker Bar
Procedure
- Park the vehicle on safe and level ground.
- Set the parking brake and use wheel chocks.
- Use a lug wrench to loosen the front wheel’s nuts by turning the wrench counterclockwise.
- Using a jack, raise the vehicle and secure it with jack stands to support it. Remove the vehicle’s left, right, or both wheels using a lug wrench.
- Remove the engine splash cover by removing six 8mm bolts. Remember that a plastic hook on the crossbeam support holds the splash cover-up.
- To find the sway bar bushings, you will look for a u-shaped solid bar approximately 3/4 inches in diameter. The sway bar is secured by two rubber bushings attached to the frame (left and right).
- Using a small screwdriver, remove the accumulated dirt on the bolts to expose them.
- Spray penetrating oil on the swaybar’s retaining bolts, then wait for fifteen minutes.
- Loosen the two bracket retaining bolts using an 18mm socket and a breaker bar. Turn the breaker bar counterclockwise until the bolt turns freely.
- Now remove the retaining bolts using an 18mm socket and a ratchet. Set the ratchet to loosen counterclockwise until it detaches from the retaining nut.
- Remove the bushing retaining nut using a 13mm deep socket. Another 13mm wrench will need to hold the bolt from rotating. Turn the ratchet counterclockwise while keeping the other side in place with a 13mm tool.
- Detach the nut from the bolt, then push the bushing retaining bolt out.
- Remove the old upper and lower bushings.
- Prepare the new bushing.
- You may pry the torsion bar down a bit to make some room for upper bushing installation, then install the new upper bushings first. You may need to slide it in place.
- Install the new lower bushings.
- Install the retaining bolt and the nut by hand. Use your 13mm socket with ratchet, set clockwise to tighten. Turn the nut clockwise using another 13 mm wrench to keep the bolt from spinning.
- Install the bracket bolt by hand, then fasten it with a ratchet and an 18mm socket.
- Torque the bolts to specifications.
- Reinstall the engine splash shield by fastening six 8mm bolts. Use a ratchet and a socket.
- Reinstall the wheels, fasten the lug nuts by turning them clockwise with a lug wrench, then raise the jack, remove the jack stands, and lower the vehicle to the ground.
- Tighten the lug nuts again and torque to specifications.
Torque Specifications
- Bolt, torsion bar to front axle carrier: 30Nm (Typical)
Verify the torque specs by calling your dealer and providing them with your VIN.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the sway bar?
A sway bar or torsion bar’s job is to prevent the vehicle from leaning too much when turning.
What is the purpose of sway bar bushings?
Sway bar bushings isolate the sway bar from the body or frame to reduce noise.
Is it necessary to lubricate the swaybar bushing during the installation?
It is not necessary to lubricate the swaybar bushings.
What causes sway bar bushings to go bad?
The bushings rarely break, but they do wear out over time. They can also be damaged if they get soaked by engine oil or another fluid leak.
We hope you find the Mercedes-Benz Sway Bar Bushing Replacement guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Mercedes-Benz.
