firstshadow

I finally got my hands on that 26mm fsb, and as I was putting it in with the main mounts to the subframe, I noticed the bar was colliding with the power steering lines. There was about a half inch gap between the mounts and subframe when it had clearance to the lines, any less and I'm afraid it'll break them.

Did anyone else run into this problem?

C230 Mulac

I just installed mine 2-3 weeks ago with no issue. It should just go in the same way as the old one came out.

You should also note that the H&R bar has 2 bolt holes on either side, I think to make it adjustable? If I remember correctly, I had to use the hole towards the front of my car, but I'm really not sure. It may make a difference of where your bar is located, but if you've got the bolt holes for the subframe brackets lined up you shouldn't have a problem. But a quick couple of tips:

1) slide the bar onto the links, put the nuts on but don't tighten them just yet
2) line up the subframe brackets and tighten those bolts first. This will line up the bar where it needs to be.
3) now you can use an 18mm wrench and can't remember the size torx bit to tighten the links. I found that the sway bar link bolt actually spins so what MB did is put a torx hole on the end of the bolt, so you have to hold the nut with a wrench and spin the bolt the opposite direction at the same time to tighten it. It's a bit of a PITA, but that's what you've gotta do

firstshadow

That's what I'm doing, maybe I have a bad bar. Part number is correct though. See pics below, if I bolt the mounts all the way up to the subframe, I'm pretty sure the ps lines won't like it!

C230 Mulac

Maybe I'm not seeing what you are in the pics...any way you can make red mark-ups in Adobe/Bluebeam or something? The pics look like you're okay to me.

firstshadow

Cliffnotes: those pics are with the bar not fully up to the subframe on both mounts. There's just no clearance if you go any further and I definitely don't want the sway bar to smash the ps lines if the front end gets the suspension unloaded.

Contacting H&R today....

C230 Mulac

Maybe I'm being an idiot, but where are these PS lines you speak of in the pictures???

firstshadow

It's directly above where the swaybar sits when mounted up, between the subframe and swaybar.

Here are a couple more pics without the swaybar fully mounted. Clearance issues on both sides :/

C230 Mulac

I guess now I kind of see what you're saying...did you double check to maybe see if you're putting the sway bar in upside down? I know sometimes we get caught up doing this stuff we forget to check the simple things like that, I know I've definitely done it before. Flip it over and try fitting it and see if maybe you overlooked that.

firstshadow

It can only go in one way, the ends of the swaybar have to be angled down to go over the lower suspension and steering links, and there's a flat on the passenger side of the bar to connect the headlight leveling sensor on.

C230 Mulac

It should, yes. But the H&R bar should be the exact same shape and everything compared to the stock bar, only difference being that it's thicker. So I'm not really sure how else you could have the issue unless H&R sent you the wrong bar. Did you lay the two next to each other and see how they match up?

I am noticing that your sway bar brackets are a lot different than mine too. My brackets and bolts are larger and they aren't torx, they are 13mm hex bolts. I can't remember how close my PS lines were when I installed it, but I didn't seem to have an issue.

firstshadow

The stock 22mm fsb is already a snug fit in there, that 2mm radius difference is enough to put it in the lines for me. The brackets are my stock ones, they cover the whole bushing. Guess I should check the bracket part numbers against what's suggested....

To be continued.

-edit-
Brackets look to be correct, will check the numbers when I get home. H&R says the part numbers needed are A 203 323 (11 and 12) 40

insame1

I could be wrong bought form the picture it looks like that bracket holding the PS line could be bent. Also It has some funny angles and my not be located correctly to begin with. I want to say that line should be above the cross support.

C230 Mulac

I think the brackets could very well be the correct part #. I know that the regular C Class has different brackets than the C55, not sure if the older C32 would be the same way. Just looking at one DIY on here for w203 sways, they do have the same brackets that you have on yours.

As far as the PS line bracket being bent, not really sure. I'm pretty busy this week, otherwise I'd jack it up and take a look at mine. I'll see if I can find some time.

D3r3k31

I have a similar problem installing my front H&R sway bar also. My clearance problem has to do with the middle of the sway bar hitting the oil pan though. The H&R sway bar bows/bends upward towards the oil pan. I'm afraid of cracking my oil pan. Anybody else out there have the same concern?

dorimaster

did you ever resolve this? mine was touching and i didnt know, i could space up my engine, ive already spaced the bar down, but i dont think thats right either. could just be tha the engine mounts are worn/low?

thanks
Pete

Morphh