'02 C32 AMG Sway Bar Connecting Rod Myth
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 844
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From: SF South Bay
2002 C230 Coupe
'02 C32 AMG Sway Bar Connecting Rod Myth
Some claimed that the rods are needed, some other said that they are the same part numbers. Finally, I went and checked in-depth today: for the '02 C Coupe and depending on the VIN number, you can have the exact same Rods as the C32 AMG ones.
Someone posted earlier that the AMG Rod is A203-323-21-89. However, the latest version is A203-323-26-89 with a Code 486 attached to it. The sales tech checked on the computer, this is the exact same part number for the '02 C Coupe. But the computer shows many revision numbers. So I gave him my car's VIN number to double check, it showed my car has A203-323-28-89. So my car does not have the same rods.
Therefore, I suggest people who are going to do the AMG rods with the sways to check with your car's VIN number first, otherwise, you might waste your money for the same parts.
PS: After today, my cars will be officially at the shop for one week. I save 700 miles on my car - yoohooo! (I really should have taken a camera with me though...)
PPS: When I walked through the shop area, I saw at least 6 C Coupes there. Who's the owner of the silver Coupe with Brabus rims for the pano roof problem? The rims are super nice!
Someone posted earlier that the AMG Rod is A203-323-21-89. However, the latest version is A203-323-26-89 with a Code 486 attached to it. The sales tech checked on the computer, this is the exact same part number for the '02 C Coupe. But the computer shows many revision numbers. So I gave him my car's VIN number to double check, it showed my car has A203-323-28-89. So my car does not have the same rods.
Therefore, I suggest people who are going to do the AMG rods with the sways to check with your car's VIN number first, otherwise, you might waste your money for the same parts.
PS: After today, my cars will be officially at the shop for one week. I save 700 miles on my car - yoohooo! (I really should have taken a camera with me though...)
PPS: When I walked through the shop area, I saw at least 6 C Coupes there. Who's the owner of the silver Coupe with Brabus rims for the pano roof problem? The rims are super nice!
Last edited by 20FHK02; Feb 18, 2003 at 04:26 PM.
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
C240 - 6 speed
Re: '02 C32 AMG Sway Bar Connecting Rod Myth
Originally posted by 20FHK02
Some claimed that the rods are needed, some other said that they are the same part numbers. Finally, I went and checked in-depth today: for the '02 C Coupe and depending on the VIN number, you can have the exact same Rods as the C32 AMG ones.
Someone posted earlier that the AMG Rod is A203-323-21-89. However, the latest version is A203-323-26-89 with a Code 486 attached to it. The sales tech checked on the computer, this is the exact same part number for the '02 C Coupe. But the computer shows many revision numbers. So I gave him my car's VIN number to double check, it showed my car has A203-323-28-89. So my car does not have the same rods.
Therefore, I suggest people who are going to do the AMG rods with the sways to check with your car's VIN number first, otherwise, you might waste your money for the same parts.
PS: After today, my cars will be officially at the shop for one week. I save 700 miles on my car - yoohooo! (I really should have taken a camera with me though...)
PPS: When I walked through the shop area, I saw at least 6 C Coupes there. Who's the owner of the silver Coupe with Brabus rims for the pano roof problem? The rims are super nice!
Some claimed that the rods are needed, some other said that they are the same part numbers. Finally, I went and checked in-depth today: for the '02 C Coupe and depending on the VIN number, you can have the exact same Rods as the C32 AMG ones.
Someone posted earlier that the AMG Rod is A203-323-21-89. However, the latest version is A203-323-26-89 with a Code 486 attached to it. The sales tech checked on the computer, this is the exact same part number for the '02 C Coupe. But the computer shows many revision numbers. So I gave him my car's VIN number to double check, it showed my car has A203-323-28-89. So my car does not have the same rods.
Therefore, I suggest people who are going to do the AMG rods with the sways to check with your car's VIN number first, otherwise, you might waste your money for the same parts.
PS: After today, my cars will be officially at the shop for one week. I save 700 miles on my car - yoohooo! (I really should have taken a camera with me though...)
PPS: When I walked through the shop area, I saw at least 6 C Coupes there. Who's the owner of the silver Coupe with Brabus rims for the pano roof problem? The rims are super nice!
My theory is that with the introduction of the C32 in 2002, they switched from the older links to the newer ones.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 844
Likes: 1
From: SF South Bay
2002 C230 Coupe
I'm not sure about the 2001 model, but for the 2002 Cs, the sales computer does show the same part number for some Coupes and the C32.
This is like the sway bar bushings, some Coupes have the C32 bushings, while some others don't.
This is like the sway bar bushings, some Coupes have the C32 bushings, while some others don't.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 1
From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Anybody know if the 'sport' suspension uses different rods? The Coupe has the sport suspension standard...the C240 doesn't- unless your order it.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
I recently installed the AMG sway bars on my 2002 C coupe, approx build date Nov-Dec. of 2001 and where the end links bolted in, I did notice that the inside diameter of the bolt hole on the sway bar was larger than the OD of the link I was bolting up.
I'm gonna look and see if the old bar is the same way or if it's tighter.
Should have I have needed different rods?
I will say, it seems to driving just fine....
I'm gonna look and see if the old bar is the same way or if it's tighter.
Should have I have needed different rods?
I will say, it seems to driving just fine....
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Feb 19, 2003 at 05:46 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
203-320-2889 is the part number on my car by VIN.
Looks like you put a 3 where a zero should be.
The AMG part numbers listed were not valid according the parts guy I spoke to.
Here's the AMG part number I was given.
203-320-2689 on C32
Once again.
2033202889 on my car
2033202689 on C32
So, they are different.
Is this an issue?
I'd rather not drill anything.
Looks like you put a 3 where a zero should be.
The AMG part numbers listed were not valid according the parts guy I spoke to.
Here's the AMG part number I was given.
203-320-2689 on C32
Once again.
2033202889 on my car
2033202689 on C32
So, they are different.
Is this an issue?
I'd rather not drill anything.
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
C240 - 6 speed
Originally posted by C230 Sport Coup
203-320-2889 is the part number on my car by VIN.
Looks like you put a 3 where a zero should be.
The AMG part numbers listed were not valid according the parts guy I spoke to.
Here's the AMG part number I was given.
203-320-2689 on C32
Once again.
2033202889 on my car
2033202689 on C32
So, they are different.
Is this an issue?
I'd rather not drill anything.
203-320-2889 is the part number on my car by VIN.
Looks like you put a 3 where a zero should be.
The AMG part numbers listed were not valid according the parts guy I spoke to.
Here's the AMG part number I was given.
203-320-2689 on C32
Once again.
2033202889 on my car
2033202689 on C32
So, they are different.
Is this an issue?
I'd rather not drill anything.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
What other ones? Spare?
I didn't buy them.
Everyone said you don't need them.
But there was some slop in the bolt hole.
Should I address this?
Weld some washers onto the sway or something?
I didn't buy them.
Everyone said you don't need them.
But there was some slop in the bolt hole.
Should I address this?
Weld some washers onto the sway or something?
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 844
Likes: 1
From: SF South Bay
2002 C230 Coupe
Originally posted by C230 Sport Coup
203-320-2889 is the part number on my car by VIN.
Looks like you put a 3 where a zero should be.
The AMG part numbers listed were not valid according the parts guy I spoke to.
Here's the AMG part number I was given.
203-320-2689 on C32
Once again.
2033202889 on my car
2033202689 on C32
So, they are different.
Is this an issue?
I'd rather not drill anything.
203-320-2889 is the part number on my car by VIN.
Looks like you put a 3 where a zero should be.
The AMG part numbers listed were not valid according the parts guy I spoke to.
Here's the AMG part number I was given.
203-320-2689 on C32
Once again.
2033202889 on my car
2033202689 on C32
So, they are different.
Is this an issue?
I'd rather not drill anything.
That means your car has the same end links as mine!
Not sure about whether I should change to the new version or not either because I don't want to drill anything also
Maybe when I get to know the part guy well enough in the future I can ask him to order one for me to measure and if the size turn up to be the same then I can return it for no restocking fee
Actually, can someone with the new end links measure the diameter of the rod? Thanks!
