SL/R230: Sway bars
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E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
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2003 SL55
Struttmasters does not include sway bars and claims they are not needed, but the SL350 bars can be used. However the SL350 bars were designed for a much lighter vehicle so the diameter of the bars are much smaller. I've not driven a vehicle that's been set up this way but I hear the result is not good. This is why I've shipped my car to VVK. I'll let everyone know how this goes.
Bill
Bill
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From: Melbourne Florida
SL500
Well after I watched a Youtube video on the installation of sway bars unless you are going to make slalom runs you better be one heck of a mechanic or have some deep pockets for labor.
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From: PNW Wa State
R230, C5 Corvette Convertible, Audi Allroad, Lexus RX350, AE86 Hachi Roku
A Little Information Can Be Worse Than None At All
R230 sway bars are not an ”off the shelf” application. So unless you get really good at chassis geometry and true performance suspension, you Will create a poorly handling car. Using V6 bars on a heavier V8 sans ABC is not even going be capable of Hyundai handling dynamics and somewhat dangerous driven in a spirited manner
Do a lot more research and there Are truly capable suspension tuning techniques that you can apply here. Just a matter of looking in the right direction. Even this forums own section contains some in-depth details. Keep looking or put up with a very restricted handling MB
Good luck
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From: Norway
350 SL, R230 - 300 SL, R129 - 1964 Corvette Sting Ray Sport Coupe - Porsche 911 Twin Turbo (sold)
Well. These 2 engines is the same engine minus 2 cylinders and 2 pistons. So how much is the weight of 2 cylinders and 2 pistons?
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From: Melbourne Florida
SL500
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Sl55 AMG
The SL350 sway bar is designed to closely follow the shape of the narrower 6 cylinder sump, so isn't a good fit for the V8 engine.
VVK sway bars
I tried fitting a SL350 sway bar when I converted my SL55 to coilovers, but it was hitting the sump pan 🤐
I ended up fitting the VVK bars which are shaped differently to clear the sump 👍
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Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 407
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From: Houston, TX
2005 SL600
The Oil sump is substantially bigger on the V8.
The SL350 sway bar is designed to closely follow the shape of the narrower 6 cylinder sump, so isn't a good fit for the V8 engine.
I tried fitting a SL350 sway bar when I converted my SL55 to coilovers, but it was hitting the sump pan 🤐
I ended up fitting the VVK bars which are shaped differently to clear the sump 👍
The SL350 sway bar is designed to closely follow the shape of the narrower 6 cylinder sump, so isn't a good fit for the V8 engine.
I tried fitting a SL350 sway bar when I converted my SL55 to coilovers, but it was hitting the sump pan 🤐
I ended up fitting the VVK bars which are shaped differently to clear the sump 👍
V12 is entirely different. VVK is the only available option. Well, within reason, anyway - you could spend a fortune on parts and labor and adapt an SL65 Black Series setup.
In any case, if I was going to go to the bother of installing sways bars, I'd go with the best design for the car, which is VVK.
SL350 bars on an SL500 coilover would be better than none at all, though...... as far as the weight difference between a V6 and a V8, that's basically the difference between having a passenger in the car or not. VVK is a bit more expensive, but not that much IMO.
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Sl55 AMG
Actually, the SL350 bar will fit an SL500. It's been done. SL55 has a deeper oil pan than an SL500, so an SL350 front bar won't work.
V12 is entirely different. VVK is the only available option. Well, within reason, anyway - you could spend a fortune on parts and labor and adapt an SL65 Black Series setup.
In any case, if I was going to go to the bother of installing sways bars, I'd go with the best design for the car, which is VVK.
SL350 bars on an SL500 coilover would be better than none at all, though...... as far as the weight difference between a V6 and a V8, that's basically the difference between having a passenger in the car or not. VVK is a bit more expensive, but not that much IMO.
V12 is entirely different. VVK is the only available option. Well, within reason, anyway - you could spend a fortune on parts and labor and adapt an SL65 Black Series setup.
In any case, if I was going to go to the bother of installing sways bars, I'd go with the best design for the car, which is VVK.
SL350 bars on an SL500 coilover would be better than none at all, though...... as far as the weight difference between a V6 and a V8, that's basically the difference between having a passenger in the car or not. VVK is a bit more expensive, but not that much IMO.
In my opinion, if anyone is doing the coilover conversion it would be a shame to cut corners by using the SL350 sway bars just to save a few $.
The VVK bars are the the only ones that are custom made to fit the V8 properly, and are substantially stiffer.
I had the SL350 rear bar temporarily fitted on my car for a few months, and when I eventually changed it to the VVK I noticed a big improvement.
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From: Norway
350 SL, R230 - 300 SL, R129 - 1964 Corvette Sting Ray Sport Coupe - Porsche 911 Twin Turbo (sold)
I am pretty sure that if the SL500, R230 was delivered with normal suspension and not only the ABC suspension the SL500 would have had the exact same sway bar as the SL350
I think man people have the mindset that "Since it is used on a V6 engine it can not be used on a V8 engine"
Anyway the thicker VVK bar is for sure stronger i would suppose and i would guess it is cheqaper than a OEM Mercedes SL350 sway bar as well
By the way most SL350 came with the problematic ABC suspension as well
I think man people have the mindset that "Since it is used on a V6 engine it can not be used on a V8 engine"
Anyway the thicker VVK bar is for sure stronger i would suppose and i would guess it is cheqaper than a OEM Mercedes SL350 sway bar as well
By the way most SL350 came with the problematic ABC suspension as well
Last edited by TheSaint; Aug 17, 2020 at 05:12 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 382
Likes: 27
From: Norway
350 SL, R230 - 300 SL, R129 - 1964 Corvette Sting Ray Sport Coupe - Porsche 911 Twin Turbo (sold)
Just to follow up this topic
I just checked the part number for the front and rear sway bar on a 2013 Mercedes SL350, R231 and a 2013 Mercdes SL, R231
I had to use the SL, R231 class since the ABC suspension SL500 does not come with a sway bar which i find strange
Just as i thought both the SL350 with the V6 engine and the SL500 with the V8 engine have the same part numbers for the front sway bar and also for the rear sway bar
So i have to smile a bit when it comes to the "tiny" SL350 sway bars
Sway Bar 2013 Mercedes SL350, R231 part numbers:
10 A 231 320 14 11 TUBULAR TORSION
WITH BEARING, FRONT
10 A 231 320 12 11 TUBULAR TORSION
WITH BEARING, FRONT Code: 486
10 A 231 320 13 11 TUBULAR TORSION
WITH BEARING, REAR Code: -487 + 486
Sway Bar 2013 Mercedes SL500, R231 part numbers:
10 A 231 320 14 11 TUBULAR TORSION
WITH BEARING, FRONT
10 A 231 320 12 11 TUBULAR TORSION
WITH BEARING, FRONT Code: 486
10 A 231 320 13 11 TUBULAR TORSION
WITH BEARING Code: -487 + 486
Having said that the thicker VVK sway bar might very well be a better choice since it is thicker. When it is thicker i would guess it would be harder to fit a thicker sway bar if it is so tight?
I just checked the part number for the front and rear sway bar on a 2013 Mercedes SL350, R231 and a 2013 Mercdes SL, R231
I had to use the SL, R231 class since the ABC suspension SL500 does not come with a sway bar which i find strange
Just as i thought both the SL350 with the V6 engine and the SL500 with the V8 engine have the same part numbers for the front sway bar and also for the rear sway bar
So i have to smile a bit when it comes to the "tiny" SL350 sway bars
Sway Bar 2013 Mercedes SL350, R231 part numbers:
10 A 231 320 14 11 TUBULAR TORSION
WITH BEARING, FRONT
10 A 231 320 12 11 TUBULAR TORSION
WITH BEARING, FRONT Code: 486
10 A 231 320 13 11 TUBULAR TORSION
WITH BEARING, REAR Code: -487 + 486
Sway Bar 2013 Mercedes SL500, R231 part numbers:
10 A 231 320 14 11 TUBULAR TORSION
WITH BEARING, FRONT
10 A 231 320 12 11 TUBULAR TORSION
WITH BEARING, FRONT Code: 486
10 A 231 320 13 11 TUBULAR TORSION
WITH BEARING Code: -487 + 486
Having said that the thicker VVK sway bar might very well be a better choice since it is thicker. When it is thicker i would guess it would be harder to fit a thicker sway bar if it is so tight?
Last edited by TheSaint; Aug 18, 2020 at 07:50 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 407
Likes: 137
From: Houston, TX
2005 SL600
Just to follow up this topic
I just checked the part number for the front and rear sway bar on a 2013 Mercedes SL350, R231 and a 2013 Mercdes SL, R231
I had to use the SL, R231 class since the ABC suspension SL500 does not come with a sway bar which i find strange
Just as i thought both the SL350 with the V6 engine and the SL500 with the V8 engine have the same part numbers for the front sway bar and also for the rear sway bar
So i have to smile a bit when it comes to the "tiny" SL350 sway bars
Sway Bar 2013 Mercedes SL350, R231 part numbers:
10 A 231 320 14 11 TUBULAR TORSION
WITH BEARING, FRONT
10 A 231 320 12 11 TUBULAR TORSION
WITH BEARING, FRONT Code: 486
10 A 231 320 13 11 TUBULAR TORSION
WITH BEARING, REAR Code: -487 + 486
Sway Bar 2013 Mercedes SL500, R231 part numbers:
10 A 231 320 14 11 TUBULAR TORSION
WITH BEARING, FRONT
10 A 231 320 12 11 TUBULAR TORSION
WITH BEARING, FRONT Code: 486
10 A 231 320 13 11 TUBULAR TORSION
WITH BEARING Code: -487 + 486
Having said that the thicker VVK sway bar might very well be a better choice since it is thicker. When it is thicker i would guess it would be harder to fit a thicker sway bar if it is so tight?
I just checked the part number for the front and rear sway bar on a 2013 Mercedes SL350, R231 and a 2013 Mercdes SL, R231
I had to use the SL, R231 class since the ABC suspension SL500 does not come with a sway bar which i find strange
Just as i thought both the SL350 with the V6 engine and the SL500 with the V8 engine have the same part numbers for the front sway bar and also for the rear sway bar
So i have to smile a bit when it comes to the "tiny" SL350 sway bars
Sway Bar 2013 Mercedes SL350, R231 part numbers:
10 A 231 320 14 11 TUBULAR TORSION
WITH BEARING, FRONT
10 A 231 320 12 11 TUBULAR TORSION
WITH BEARING, FRONT Code: 486
10 A 231 320 13 11 TUBULAR TORSION
WITH BEARING, REAR Code: -487 + 486
Sway Bar 2013 Mercedes SL500, R231 part numbers:
10 A 231 320 14 11 TUBULAR TORSION
WITH BEARING, FRONT
10 A 231 320 12 11 TUBULAR TORSION
WITH BEARING, FRONT Code: 486
10 A 231 320 13 11 TUBULAR TORSION
WITH BEARING Code: -487 + 486
Having said that the thicker VVK sway bar might very well be a better choice since it is thicker. When it is thicker i would guess it would be harder to fit a thicker sway bar if it is so tight?
Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 138
Likes: 13
SL55AMG
And they dont fit the R230 either .
thicker Sway bar doesnt make fitment any harder, its the shape , people get all caught up in the SL350 being a lighter car thing , its the same chassis !!
SL350 front sway bar in SL55 is harder to fit because of the additional sump bulge , not impossible , but hard and not suited to DIY installation .
SL350 rear sway bar is a pissy little 15mm bent bit of steel , i fitted a much thicker unit from another model , it also means movement of many anciliaries tho , ok in my application but again not a DIY job to most .
thicker Sway bar doesnt make fitment any harder, its the shape , people get all caught up in the SL350 being a lighter car thing , its the same chassis !!
SL350 front sway bar in SL55 is harder to fit because of the additional sump bulge , not impossible , but hard and not suited to DIY installation .
SL350 rear sway bar is a pissy little 15mm bent bit of steel , i fitted a much thicker unit from another model , it also means movement of many anciliaries tho , ok in my application but again not a DIY job to most .
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 382
Likes: 27
From: Norway
350 SL, R230 - 300 SL, R129 - 1964 Corvette Sting Ray Sport Coupe - Porsche 911 Twin Turbo (sold)
Off course i am aware that these are for the SL R231 class. But my point is that it is the same sway bar on the V6 and the V8 engine..
The point is let`s say you could buy the SL, 230 class without ABC suspension and regular shocks and springs i am pretty sure that both the SL with V6 engine and the SL with V8 engine would have had the same sway bars..
I think code 486 is sport suspension and code 487 is ABC but i cant say for sure..
The point is let`s say you could buy the SL, 230 class without ABC suspension and regular shocks and springs i am pretty sure that both the SL with V6 engine and the SL with V8 engine would have had the same sway bars..
I think code 486 is sport suspension and code 487 is ABC but i cant say for sure..
