CLK-Class (W208) 1998-2002: CLK 200, CLK 230K, CLK 320, CLK 430 [Coupes & Cabriolets]

Swaybars?

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Old May 14, 2002 | 06:16 PM
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'05 E55
Swaybars?

Anyone install aftermarket sway bars on their CLK? I recently had H&R springs put on. Love the look and the stiffer ride but there's still something a little sloppy about the side to side motion I feel going into a turn and coming out of them. Anyone have opinions on kits, prices and whether its worth the upgrade for our CLKs?

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Old May 14, 2002 | 06:21 PM
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I had MKB swaybars installed... they make a huge difference.
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Old May 14, 2002 | 06:31 PM
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How much larger are they and what was the damage ($$$)?
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Old May 14, 2002 | 06:55 PM
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I'm not sure about the diameter, however, they set me back about $1200. Evosport has sway bars for much cheaper. I believe they are equally effective.
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Old May 14, 2002 | 07:46 PM
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I have sway bars, equal in diameter to the AMG sway bars on the 55. With them, I virtually have no body lean. They're less than half Sleestack's setup. Give me an email if you're interested,

Last edited by Mach430; May 14, 2002 at 07:56 PM.
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Old May 15, 2002 | 06:00 PM
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Does anyone else feel the same thing I'm talking about? A little twitchy or bouncy side to side motion going into turns, especially if the turn has uneven pavement. Is that more shocks than sway bars? I still have the stock shocks.
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Old May 15, 2002 | 07:21 PM
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i have standard shocks too, i've installed eibach springs and i definatley do feel a little rolling sensation on bends. I'm actually quite surprised of the slight understeer i get too!! is that normal?

ben, i'm interested in the strut braces too, does the price include upper and lower bars?

how much are the eibach struts?

i'll go for em if feasable!!!!

its about time we do some business!
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Old May 16, 2002 | 01:51 AM
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It is a combination of the shocks and sway bars, but I'm leaning more towards the bars on this one. I installed them both at the same time, so I can't give you an accurate answer.

Ahmed:
The sway bars go underneath the car in the front and the rear. If you turn your steering wheel all the way to the side, and then look in from the front of the car, you will see a black metal bar apprx 22mm in diameter connecting to the same general location as to where you would find your shocks (actually closer to the wheel). Strut bars are used to stiffen the struts, which the CLK does not have. We are working on a sort of "mock-strut" which will tie the shock housing area under the hood and in the trunk together in order to stiffen the chasis, but do not yet know the results. We are also working on several bolt-on chasis modifications that we anticipate will revolutionize the CLK's handling. Neither has been tested, but I should have results within the month.

Shoot me an email, we'll go over the sway bars!
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Old May 16, 2002 | 02:31 PM
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I dropped mine 40mm on H&R springs with stock shocks. Thru my test turn going 135kph (85 mph) i got a diagonal Cadillac wobbly sensation through a couple of bumps. Changed shocks to Bilstein Sprint to support the lowered car and it made a world of a difference. I have hit the same curve at 145kph now with little or no wobbling. The ride is race car stiff though and I do get some bodyroll, so AMG55 swaybars are on the list of items to have.
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Old May 16, 2002 | 03:33 PM
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Thanks Ben for the email. I have another question. Will sway bars make the ride really rough? Should I just change the shock instead to improve turning?
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Old May 16, 2002 | 03:58 PM
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I personally would recommend changing both, but for some that is not an option. The right shock can make a phenomenol difference in handling. Changing the sway bars will not make the car much rougher than it is now. I have the sway bars with H&R springs and Kleemann shocks, and my car is stiff yet perfectly comfortable.
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Old May 16, 2002 | 08:40 PM
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Sway bars will just flatten the cars cornering ability. Less body roll or lean. Will not affect how the car rides when going over bumps. Shocks and springs are the factors that influence how rough or smooth the ride is.
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Old May 16, 2002 | 09:26 PM
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i'm very interested in these sway bars! Do they have them for the CLK320?

What are the prices?
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Old May 17, 2002 | 12:54 AM
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Ben,

Are those sway bars for 430 or 320?
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Old May 17, 2002 | 01:12 AM
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It is the same sway bar for the 430/320. Technically, it would also work on the 55, but there is no reason to do so, as these are the same diameter.
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