Robperri

For anybody that's installed there own sway bars; what's involved? Is it a matter of jacking up the front of the car left and right (for the front) and removing a couple bolts and remove and replace with new? The same for rear?

Besides buying the H&R sways (vividracing has good price) is there anything else I need (bushing or bolt, etc..)?

I searched and read $150 was the going rate at a shop, but if it's simple I'd like to save the money and do it myself.

Rudeney

Easy DIY! Yes, you do need to lift both wheels, but this is also easy. Did you know that there are center jacking points on the W209? On the front, it's the big rubber block protruding from the center of the lower engine cover. On the rear, you jack under the differential housing (use a wood block or rubber pad against to to prevent damage). chock the wheels that will remain on the ground, jack from the center, then put jack stands under the side plastic jack blocks, and lower the vehicle to rest securely on them.

For the sway bars, remove the bolts on the end links (i.e. connecting it to the shocks) then remove the bolts holding the rubber mounts to the frame. On the rear, it's exactly the same but you have one extra task: you have to disconnect the muffler from its rubber mounts to let the exhaust pipe drop enough so the sway bar will clear it.

Robperri

Perfect! Thanks for taking the time to answer!

Frank Rizzo

I did both on mine and it is easy-peasy!
They are literally bolt in. You can do it from vehicle ramps as well.

My VW's had to have the front crossmemeber dropped and the engine lowered to install the front bar

Robperri

$480 shipped for front and both seem pretty reasonable. I ordered the 12mm end link for front sway. Hopefully that's correct for 2004 CLK55.

togaclk55

It is

sirswift93

What about installing on a 2001 CLK320 Cabrio? Is it still easy? My indy said it would take 1.5 hours for the front and 8.0 hours for the rear!!!

Rudeney

Yes on the W208, the rear sway bar connects differently and the entire axle must be removed in order to get to it.

Fatz

Is it ok to use jack stands under to frame piece that the center jack point is connected to? I have the lower cover removed. I'm going to be working on the brakes and will change the setting on the front sway (move to less firm position). My guess is that it is.

I generally do and then ask for forgiveness if needed; but I try to avoid this flaw when it comes to my car......

betrezra

I have 04 clk55 as well..... Would love to hear impressions of sways on this car... Prob my next mod.

Rudeney

Fatz, I always jack from the center lift points - on the front, that's the rubber puck protruding through the middle of the lower engine cover, and on the rear, under the differential. I then use jack stands placed on the emergency jack points on the sides. I place the "V" shape of the jack stand 50% offset on the plastic pucks, like this:


That's not my car or jack - I just did a quick Photoshop diagram for illustration purposed.

Fatz

My car is lowered and my jack doesn't go up quite far enough to allow me to get the stand under the emergency jack point. I may have to get another set of stands. I may try using the stands I have on the outer edges of the frame part the center jack point is connected to.

Before I do that though, I'll try to use a block of wood or rubber between the jack and the center jack point. Maybe that added inch will allow me to place the stand as you illustrated.

Thanks

Fatz

Thanks Rodney. With a block of wood I was able to get the car high enough to position the stands as you indicated; not high enough to get my home made emergency jack point pads between the stand and the car........ This is probably a good thing....

thanks

Rudeney

I'm confused - what would the lower suspension have to do with not being able to get a jack stand under there? I guess it could make it difficult to get a jack under the center lift points (Mine is not lowered, and I have to use a long, low-profile jack to get under the diff).

M-bENZ

I'm hoping u have the picture to show the rubber block that you mentioned ...I bought my car for almost 4 yrs now but no clue how to jack the front up by using that big rubber like u said.....

Rudeney

Andy, you're making me work tonight, huh? Here's the WIS:

http://benzbits.com/w209/JackPoints.pdf

They show the front center jack point with the lower engine cover removed. If you'll just peek under that car, the big plastic lower engine cover has a recess with a rectangular rubber block protruding through it - that's it!

Fatz

When you get the jack under the jacking block you have no room to pump the jack. I just roll the tires up on pieces of 2x4 wood. This raises the front high enough to pump the jack. I also use the 2x4s to go up the ramp I have; else the underside of the bumper will drag until I am about half way up the ramp.

bheng

regarding jack points. so i have a low profile jack but when i raise it to the max height, i cant fit the jack stand on the safety jack points.... would it be best to get new jack stands to accomodate or put a 2x4 block where i am going to lift at the center jack stand?

M-bENZ

Seems like everyone having a problem with the jack stand point not only me lol and thanks Rodney . I'll look into that if I ever have to raise the front up again.

Fatz

I used a small piece of 2x4 between the jack and jack point and was able to get the jack stands under the emergency jack points. However, I will be looking for another set of jack stands. My "V" in the staff of the jack stands was not very deep and it sorta crushed one side of the jack point; but no damage to anything else. Besides, it would have to be something very darn important and urgent for me to crawl under my car using the emergency jack points.........

If you use a piece of 2x4, make sure it is small enough "not" to contact your the underside cover. Mine was off when I was jacking.

Louie D

Hey Rod do you happen to have the part # for the front center puck mine is missing ?

M-bENZ

Lol this thread starts getting more attention ......

Rudeney

I don't have a problem jacking from the center, but I have a good low-profile jack with a 20" lift, like this one:

http://www.costco.com/NOS-2-Ton-Alum...100038970.html

Louie: I can't find that part anywhere! It attaches to the front axle carrier, and I am wondering if it's not a replaceable part, i.e. it's come made onto the axle carrier.

Louie D

As I recall mine could be removed with a twist. Well dang..Thanks for looking

Fatz

Well mine, though sold as "low profile", isn't that low and won't go that high. I'll bet it doesn't creep down either.

Have to put this on my ever expanding list for "car stuff".

Thanks