Are the size of the sway bars for the 2005 models the same as the older ones? Namely 20mm/13mm front and rear. The service guys at the dealership have no clue about this, and wanted to charge me to jack up my car to look determine what parts I needed to install the front AMG sways on the 2005....you'd think they knew these things....

It would be great if someone could let me know if the following parts are what I need to install the AMG sways on my 2005 230WZ, i know these parts work for the pre-2005 models, but i'm not sure if it's still the same for the 2005s

Front:
203-323-27-40 (mount bracket)
203-323-44-65 (bar)

Rear:
203-326-15-65 (bar)
203-326-00-81 (bushing)

thanks in advance!

 

ask parts to check the part number for the C230/C320 SS sways and the C32/C55 sways. if they are different then you know!

just my $0.02.

 

If you're going to change the sway bars on your car, get the H&R sway bars. It'll give you better results than the AMG sways.

 

Not sure about the 2005 models.
For my 2003 I use:
Front:
203-323-44-65 AMG 22mm Sway Bar
203-323-27-40 Front Mounting Brackets x 2
which is a different part # that what you listed

Rear:
203-326-15-65 AMG 16mm Sway Bar
203-326-00-81 Bushings x 2

The rear endlinks, I could of bought the ones on the C32 which is part # 203-320-26-89, but the stock ones (part # 203-320-08-99) work just fine with the AMG Rear sway.

If someone can get under a 2005 and with a caliper just measure the diameter of your front and rear sways. Or give the part numbers...
You might need to jack your car up a bit, and check with a flashlight & mirror.
Stock Front Sway 20mm part #
Stock Rear Sway 13mm part # 203-326-12-65

sorry to be of no help...

 

I think his best bang for the buck will be going the AMG route...do a search; Lynn posted a very good article some time ago.

 

Hey wfb1746, did you find your answer? Did you get the sway bars?

I'm interested in putting in H&R's or even Evosports (since they're so closeby to me)... But, I wanted to see the difference in the 05's and see if it'll actually be a good mod before I do anything.

Thanks!

 

A certian thread on handling recently has gotten me curious as to upgrading my sway bars... I went outside and measured the stock sway bars on my car ('05 C230)...

Front: 23mm (but looks like it is 22mm, must have measured too quickly)
Rear 16mm

Conclusion: Looks like the '05 SS's got the C32 AMG anti-roll bars!... Just thought I would let everyone know incase this isnt common knowledge...

 

 

Freaky.

 

Can anyone else verify this information.I'm looking to upgrade my sway bars as well.But not if I already have AMG bars. thanks.

And if this is the case,which sway bar would be an upgrade?

 

If you have a 2005, don't get the AMG's. 99.9% positive it won't be an upgrade. I think the rear AMG's are slightly bigger, but the fronts have proven to be so close in size that it wouldn't be an upgrade.

If you change, get Eibach, H&R or Brabus. Although, I'm the only one I know of that has the Brabus swaybars.

 

Thanks Drex The Bremmas look great on my car,I'll take some pics soon(lazy).Next on the list is "handling"(sways,coilovers and camber kit if needed).

 

Ahh Drex, I was considering Brabus sway bars too.

I was interested in perhaps acquiring a Brabus sway-bar for the C230 to the point I visited Brabus Newport Beach last week. However, obviously since Brabus Newport Beach doesn't have cars for me to test drive, I'm waiting to come across a 2005 C230 with just a Brabus sway-bar and no other suspension or wheel modifications.

 

Hahaha...Good luck. I'd doubt you'll find one. I haven't seen any lower model w203's indicating that they had the brabus swaybars. I bought these from IDriveFast, who owns a C32. He had to bore out the holes that connect to the end links because the AMG sways fit 12mm bolts. But, I never bothered to change the end links to fit the 12mm bolts because it still mounted properly.

The Brabus swaybars are the thickest of ALL the swaybars out there. My car is rock solid, but, just to throw caution to the wind, they are VERY stiff and I may have to replace some parts in the rear because they are that stiff. Handling is great when everything is good!

Now, I'm sure that you know that they're also the most expensive out of all the swaybars, so that's also something to consider.

 

I currently am having trouble with my H&R, the front bushings are bad in less then a year. One of my mounts has a stripped hole, I will have to install a heli-coil to repair. You could use a A 209 323 00 65 front, it is a 23mm AMG bar with bush attached to the bar. It should last longer and uses the 12mm end links A 230 320 29 89 and four boots A 203 327 00 90 (C55 bar) The rear looks like the same number you have.

 

Did your stripped bracket mounting cause the bushing to fail, or was it a faulty bushing that ultimately pulled the clamp from its mount? Heli-coil to the rescue.

When my H&R’s began making a groaning/squeaking noise, I promptly called their NA headquarters (888 827-8889) and spoke with Josh Scott. He sent some replacement (also kevlar lined) bushings, gratis. Same result. Contrary to the supplied installation instructions, I slathered a liberal quantity of anti-sleaze to the bar/bushing interface. They have worked well and been silent ever since.

 

Drex, thanks for the valuable information. The damage for the swaybars at Brabus Newport Beach is around $1200 USD including installation ($700-800 for the part, and $400 approx. for the installation); it takes a month to order the part, and takes half a day to install (or so they claim).

Since it's more than pocket change so I'd like to be sure that I like it before I have it installed so I don't have any regrets. But as you said, it's not easy to come across a car with a similar set up to experience before taking the plunge.

We'll see, but it's something I'm considering.

 

I can tell you that it's not 1/2 a day to install! Especially because I'd assume Brabus NA in Newport has an actual lift!...LOL. That has to be one of the most bloated quotes ever.

If you really wanted to upgrade your swaybars, but keep your stock springs/shocks, it's not worth it to go with the Brabus swaybars. Go with H&R. Since you'll still be running airplane style with stock suspension, the Brabus swaybars would be overkill due to the higher center of gravity with the OEM springs.

The H&R's are cheaper and just as good quality. Eibach's are good too, but H&R would most likely have a better effect on your car.

 

I think the mount issue is because Mercedes is mixing material, steel on alluminum causing corrosion. With aircraft you use a barrier like a washer or somehting to protect the material. So it bound up when I tried to remove it. The bushing just turned to mush, I had about 2-3mm of play. I still would go with H&R over Eibach, because Eibach uses to large of a rear bar causing a understeer condition.

 

Just was trying to figger out if the C55 has different bars than a C32...
It uses a CLK front bar...here's the info for "Buddy Jesus" there...
(PS I went to High School at the HS in parish of the church used in that movie...very freaky...haven't set foot in a church since)

VIN WDBRF65J92F239376 2002 C32 (for reference on EPC )
C32 End Links
A2033202689 x 2 End links
N913023012002 x 4 Nuts
Rear Sway- A2033261565 (which is what I have)
Front A2033234465 23 MM
A2033233165 22 MM


VIN WDB2030761F643462 C55
A2093230165 C55/CLK55 Front sway bar - $102
A2033202989 End Link
N913023012002 nuts

A2033262065 C55 Rear Sway bar - $90

No way to know how thick they are...
except for the front on the C32

I'm very curious about the rear...

 

Anyone know if the C55 & C32 End Links are the same Thickness?

 

I just measured my 2005 C230 front sway bars ... 22mm.

I cannot find 22m bushings anywhere. I called the dealership and they confirmed that the 2005 C230 is 22mm, and that the only way they know of to get new bushings is to buy a new stabilizer bar which will have the bushings included with it. Their price is $80 ... not bad, but still more than $20 for a pair of bushings.

Does anyone know where I can get 22mm bushings, before I break down and buy the entire kit?

Thanks. John