C36 AMG, C43 AMG (W202) 1995 - 2000

Larger Sway Bar for C43

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Old Mar 6, 2013 | 06:02 PM
  #1  
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Larger Sway Bar for C43

I want to put a larger sway bar on my car from a different AMG. Can the CLK55 fit or something else? Does anyone have the diameters of different sway bars from the different AMGs of those years? Any input would help. Thanks
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Old Mar 6, 2013 | 11:33 PM
  #2  
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190D 2.5 (x2), 190E 2.6, W202 C240,W202 C43 (C55), W210 E55, W212 E250CDI
The only larger front option is from a SLK32 (30mm), but you'd need to check compatibility (MAY be a different total length, same mounts and shape though).

Depends on what you're looking for in terms of handling. Any upgrade on the rear sway bar I'd recommend fitted a LSD first as it would otherwise increase rear wheel unloading during cornering and reduce corner exit speed.

Factory bars are 28mm front and 18mm rear, H+R and Eibach bars are the same size.

I've settled for a custom 22mm rear bar and left the front alone, seems to be a great compromise, handle is much closer to neutral than factory spec.
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Old Mar 7, 2013 | 01:25 AM
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1995 C36 AMG, 1998 C43 AMG
Originally Posted by Ausmbtech
The only larger front option is from a SLK32 (30mm), but you'd need to check compatibility (MAY be a different total length, same mounts and shape though).

Depends on what you're looking for in terms of handling. Any upgrade on the rear sway bar I'd recommend fitted a LSD first as it would otherwise increase rear wheel unloading during cornering and reduce corner exit speed.

Factory bars are 28mm front and 18mm rear, H+R and Eibach bars are the same size.

I've settled for a custom 22mm rear bar and left the front alone, seems to be a great compromise, handle is much closer to neutral than factory spec.
THIS is what I've been thinking about lately, and what prompted my post about the Eibach sways. Can you elaborate on this? How custom? Totally fabbed? How much did it end up costing? I was thinking that a thicker rear would help take out some of the crazy understeer we get, but 22mm seems massive!
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Old Mar 7, 2013 | 04:23 AM
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I would assume with the crazy understeer you need a crazy size sway bar... I have heard, but stand to be corrected, that changing the rear bar is a real PITA due to lack of access and tricky shape.
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Old Mar 7, 2013 | 05:26 AM
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Front bar off w208 clk55 fits, 32mm
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Old Mar 7, 2013 | 06:55 AM
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12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Originally Posted by dearlove
Front bar off w208 clk55 fits, 32mm
Now that is interesting... What about the rear bar? I thought the w208 used the same chassis
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Old Mar 7, 2013 | 07:58 AM
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Not too sure about the rear, I would test it myself but I can't even find a front bar in Australia...
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Old Mar 7, 2013 | 12:30 PM
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From: Chapel Hill, NC/Montreal, QC
1995 C36 AMG, 1998 C43 AMG
Originally Posted by DRBC43AMG
I would assume with the crazy understeer you need a crazy size sway bar... I have heard, but stand to be corrected, that changing the rear bar is a real PITA due to lack of access and tricky shape.
Yep. Heard the whole rear subframe has to come down. But that'd give me an excuse to fit my SS brakelines and fix the leak in my dif while I'm back there
Originally Posted by DRBC43AMG
Now that is interesting... What about the rear bar? I thought the w208 used the same chassis

I find that very interesting too. Everything I've heard says that the 208 is the same as ours. Especially a 4mm difference. Don't know if the 209 could fit at all, but finding something from a 209 black would be pretty sweet i'm sure
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Old Mar 7, 2013 | 07:43 PM
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I'm 99% sure the CLK55 has the same sway bars as a C43, I cant find anything to say otherwise but I guess if someone measures one I'd be very interested to know.

Changing the rear bar is much more difficult than the front to change. It can be done by lowering the rear subframe (removing it it still the best way) but I would recommend for more inexperienced people to give to your mechanic to change instead.

I had a bar made by Shelby sway bars in Australia (I supplied the original as a sample).

It does still require some fab work with the brackets, I'd suggest just 20mm unless you're looking for a bigger handling change.

****Just to let you know that about 2 yrs after the sway bar change that I broke the RHR swaybar mount off the body. By design the RHR mount is much weaker than the LHR. I cant be sure if it was a conincidence or due to increased loads. Realisticly driving into a steep driveway or parking on a greatly uneven surface puts more load through the swaybars than driving it on a race track but you've been warned****


As a side note, I've got a theory that fabbing a much stronger front swaybar mount would be almost as effective as a bigger sway bar as they do flex alot in normal operation.
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Old Mar 7, 2013 | 07:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Ausmbtech
I'm 99% sure the CLK55 has the same sway bars as a C43, I cant find anything to say otherwise but I guess if someone measures one I'd be very interested to know.

Changing the rear bar is much more difficult than the front to change. It can be done by lowering the rear subframe (removing it it still the best way) but I would recommend for more inexperienced people to give to your mechanic to change instead.

I had a bar made by Shelby sway bars in Australia (I supplied the original as a sample).

It does still require some fab work with the brackets, I'd suggest just 20mm unless you're looking for a bigger handling change.

****Just to let you know that about 2 yrs after the sway bar change that I broke the RHR swaybar mount off the body. By design the RHR mount is much weaker than the LHR. I cant be sure if it was a conincidence or due to increased loads. Realisticly driving into a steep driveway or parking on a greatly uneven surface puts more load through the swaybars than driving it on a race track but you've been warned****


As a side note, I've got a theory that fabbing a much stronger front swaybar mount would be almost as effective as a bigger sway bar as they do flex alot in normal operation.
I broke the same mount with the stock sway bar. Had to drill it out to replace.
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Old Mar 8, 2013 | 12:55 AM
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Originally Posted by 503C43 ////AMG
I broke the same mount with the stock sway bar. Had to drill it out to replace.
+1
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Old Mar 11, 2013 | 03:10 AM
  #12  
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I measured the front sway on my 99 C43 at 30mm!

Cheers
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Old Sep 8, 2013 | 06:02 AM
  #13  
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my front bay is 32mm and the rear is 18mm
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Old Sep 8, 2013 | 06:10 AM
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Originally Posted by raw1879
my front bay is 32mm and the rear is 18mm
is yours factory or aftermarket?

if i'm not mistaking, many years ago someone tried an ML55 swaybar on his c43 dude never reported if this bar fitted or not?
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Old Sep 9, 2013 | 06:02 PM
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Originally Posted by kowalski
is yours factory or aftermarket?

if i'm not mistaking, many years ago someone tried an ML55 swaybar on his c43 dude never reported if this bar fitted or not?
Normal, he swerved off the road On an other note, to eliminate or reduce understeer you need to brake into the corner to get weight transfer. Once you understand how that happens, the handling is transformed and everything becomes easy.

Last edited by DRBC43AMG; Sep 9, 2013 at 06:05 PM.
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Old Sep 10, 2013 | 07:26 PM
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Originally Posted by DRBC43AMG
Normal, he swerved off the road On an other note, to eliminate or reduce understeer you need to brake into the corner to get weight transfer. Once you understand how that happens, the handling is transformed and everything becomes easy.
I wouldnt say it becomes "easy", maybe 'much better'
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Old Sep 10, 2013 | 11:56 PM
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My friend had a ML swaybar on his 202. His user name is RemoLexi on club202
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Old Sep 11, 2013 | 03:30 AM
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Originally Posted by PJmak
My friend had a ML swaybar on his 202. His user name is RemoLexi on club202
ask him if it was thicker than w202 sweybar?
did it fit w/o modifications?
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Old Sep 11, 2013 | 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Dziner82
I wouldnt say it becomes "easy", maybe 'much better'
+1
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Old Sep 11, 2013 | 05:58 PM
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From: A.D., U.A.E
2000 (W202 C200) & 2000 (W202 C55)
All "W163 ML’s" uses the same sway bar, what the special thing with it..?,

is it more thick than the one we have....??

ZAYED,,
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Old Sep 11, 2013 | 11:54 PM
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Originally Posted by kowalski
ask him if it was thicker than w202 sweybar?
did it fit w/o modifications?
Oh Kowalski, how quickly you forget threads you have posted on...

https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c...y-bar-kit.html
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Old Sep 12, 2013 | 05:00 AM
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Originally Posted by 503C43 ////AMG
Oh Kowalski, how quickly you forget threads you have posted on...

https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c...y-bar-kit.html
I'm at an early stage of getting alzheimer
I do fogget stuff.
sorry
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Old Sep 12, 2013 | 05:02 AM
  #23  
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No problem on that, i think im starting to follow you as well....-

ZAYED,,
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Old Sep 12, 2013 | 01:28 PM
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Originally Posted by kowalski
I'm at an early stage of getting alzheimer
I do fogget stuff.
sorry
I sincerely hope that you are joking about this.
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Old Sep 12, 2013 | 03:31 PM
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Originally Posted by LawRens
I sincerely hope that you are joking about this.
nope!
I'm not what I used to be anymore
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