FinanceMike

I have a CLS55. I've narrowed my front end clunk down to the sway bar bushing and/or endlinks. I've replaced everything else.

My tech advised me that the only way to fix this is to order a new sway bar (torsion bar). That's a $240 part from the dealer. When I do a search on different parts websites, it shows sway bar bushings and end links available separately for far less than the complete torsion bar.

Has anyone changed their sway bar bushings or end links on a w211 chassis and not replaced the entire sway bar? I can't see why they wouldn't be able to be swapped out.

Thanks

simon1966

I have the same issue on my E55. As I understand it the bushes are bonded to the bar so the whole thing has to be replaced. There are a few threads on this and one mentioned lubricating the bushes with a high pressure spray grease. I gave this a go and it has probably reduced the noise / knocks by about 80% so well worth a try. Google Wurth HHS 2000, it was about £12 delivered here in the UK.

FinanceMike

Are there sway bar end links (with bushings already pressed in) and another set of bushings on the sway bar?
Because a simple search for E55 or CLS sway bar links bring ups alot of parts.

FinanceMike

I've attached the sway bar diagram. Am I missing something or are the only bushings pressed into the end links? The torsion bar is number 10. End link 20.

simon1966

The sway bar bushes are shown on that diagram but not numbered. I guess that's due to what I thought and that they are pre- bonded on. Give what I said above a try, make sure you give it a good dose of the spray all around the bush. At least if the noise etc mostly goes away it will prove that is the problem. That's the view I've taken and will get the bar replaced at some stage soonish.

Exotic-metal55

We looked at making aftermarket sway bars and bushings but the design was not very upgradeable friendly. Been a while since I looked at it but seems the rubber was fixed on the bar or the half moon shells made it tough to upgrade easilly. There are no aftermarket bushings or bars that I know of, right now.

MB984

You need to replace 10 and 20 in the epc pic. And there is a ball joint in the spring link Arm that the end links connects to. They get play and need to be replaced as well. Also when replacing the say bar 60 in epc pic needs to be replaced as per WIS.

FinanceMike

Thanks for all the replies. I called 7 dealerships and no one has the part (torsion bar). I ordered end links and a can of that Wurth grease. I'll replace what I can while I am waiting for a dealership to get the sway bar in stock.