[240Steez]

I'm wondering if their are any rear sway bar upgrades that will bolt right up to my 240D.

I'm trying to make it handle a little better before I drop a 617 in. I already have Bilstein B6's all around, fresh Dunlop summer tires and I just found a TD front sway bar locally for cheap. I have brand new mildly chopped 300D springs all around and also plan to upgrade to W126 brakes as soon as I get a set of 15"+ winter wheels.

 

[Stretch]

I'm wondering if their are any rear sway bar upgrades that will bolt right up to my 240D.

I'm trying to make it handle a little better before I drop a 617 in. I already have Bilstein B6's all around, fresh Dunlop summer tires and I just found a TD front sway bar locally for cheap. I have brand new mildly chopped 300D springs all around and also plan to upgrade to W126 brakes as soon as I get a set of 15"+ winter wheels.

I think the TD rear sway bar is also thicker - I'm surprised you want yet more stiffness - when I fitted the lower spec HD Bilsteins (what's that B2 or 4 is it - I can't remember) the car felt like the springs were made of wood...

 

[Dr. Sternschnuppe]

The sway bars on all w123 are identical.

 

[Stretch]

Oh bugger - well - there goes that one!

 

[Dr. Sternschnuppe]

The sway bars on all w123 are identical.

I mean all w123s with standard suspension (with or w/o SLS) have 13 mm rear sway bar.

But chassis for spec. ver. (ambulance, etc.) and T-mod. with suspension for increased payload (SA code 912) have 15 mm rear sway bar.

 

[Stretch]

Old thread on the subject =>

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w123-e-ce-d-cd-td/1341513-does-wagon-use-stiffer-rear-sway.html

(discussion quickly moves on to a different subject!)

 

[240Steez]

I think the TD rear sway bar is also thicker - I'm surprised you want yet more stiffness - when I fitted the lower spec HD Bilsteins (what's that B2 or 4 is it - I can't remember) the car felt like the springs were made of wood...

The Bilsteins alone made a huge difference from my old worn KYBs, but I need new bushings anyway and I've heard this swap helps a good bit too.

My dad agrees about the stiffness - I don't mind it at all, mostly because W123 seats seem to absorb every little bump like bus/ truck drivers seats lol.

 

[240Steez]

I mean all w123s with standard suspension (with or w/o SLS) have 13 mm rear sway bar.

But chassis for spec. ver. (ambulance, etc.) and T-mod. with suspension for increased payload (SA code 912) have 15 mm rear sway bar.

Thanks, I'll try to find a part number for the 15mm bar. Based on the thread Stretch just posted they cost a pretty penny though, so depending on price it may have to wait until I actually begin to squeeze some power out of the 617.

 

[Stretch]

The Bilsteins alone made a huge difference from my old worn KYBs, but I need new bushings anyway and I've heard this swap helps a good bit too.

My dad agrees about the stiffness - I don't mind it at all, mostly because W123 seats seem to absorb every little bump like bus/ truck drivers seats lol.

Does your Dad also say you should change out those old soft bushings before you spend money on a sway bar? If so I'd listen to him!

 

[cooljjay]

I would try to replace the rear sway bar links and possible bushings before I moved to wanting to install a larger one.

 

[Dr. Sternschnuppe]

a part number for the 15mm bar

Sway bar 123 326 46 65 + rubber bushings 123 326 21 81.

 

[PlaneCrazy]

Last time I checked, the 15mm rear bar was NLA. Now I'm contemplating having a 14mm made. But I'll first see what effect the front sway bar alone has.

 

[240Steez]

Sway bar 123 326 46 65 + rubber bushings 123 326 21 81.

Thanks! Btw Stretch and cooljj I'll be replacing all bushing and end links while I'm in there. No point in having stiffer sway bars if they're supported by clapped out rubber


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[DeliveryValve]

?.... Now I'm contemplating having a 14mm made. But I'll first see what effect the front sway bar alone has.

What are you trying to accomplish here?

 

[PlaneCrazy]

↑
I have purchased a SW front sway bar, which I am going to install on my sedan. I was looking for a rear sway bar, but they are NLA. So for now I'll keep the stock rear sway bar, but I was thinking that I'd like to monitor the rear axle's response to the heavier front sway bar. If I want even less roll, I'll have a custom rear sway bar made, but if the rear sway bar is too stiff (like, say, the original-spec 15mm from the wagon on the comparatively light sedan tail), my paranoid mind fears that one wheel might lift off, causing a dangerous loss of traction.

 

[cooljjay]

I know I am old school and a virgo....but I do get tired of the front bar being called a "sway bar" when the designers and factory call it a Torsion bar...

Also doesn't anyone know what a PITA it is to replace the torsion bar?

Finally what I just can't wrap my head around...is why someone would want to spend all this time figuring out how to custom make a bar...when there is so much on both the front and rear suspension that acts together with these bars.

Why not replace all the worn out components and see the effect of new suspension before moving to the bars?

When you watch the test videos, read all the factory released details these cars handle amazing from the gecko....things wear....things deteriorate....a steel bar isn't one of them...

Personally no matter what short of highly modified bar you spend hundreds if not thousands on will not make this car handle like a honda rice rocket from fast and the furious tokyo drift...

The main thing these cars have that keep this from happening is the weight....my euro weighted more then my grandmothers 4 door 67 Cadillac...

 

[PlaneCrazy]

I know I am old school and a virgo....but I do get tired of the front bar being called a "sway bar" when the designers and factory call it a Torsion bar...

When I called it a torsion bar on this forum, no-one knew what I was referring to...

Why not replace all the worn out components and see the effect of new suspension before moving to the bars?

Already done. But I've wanted to do this on Donkey anyway, and now I have the opportunity, what with swapping out engines and all that.

OK, done trolling.

 

[DeliveryValve]

↑
I have purchased a SW front sway bar, which I am going to install on my sedan. ....

I installed 25mm front bar. I must say, my expectations were pretty high, now I am wishing I went the custom route, perhaps 29-30mm, when I was looking into it before the swap.


.

 

[DeliveryValve]

When I called it a torsion bar on this forum, no-one knew what I was referring to...

That is because the name Torsion Bars have been referred to, in North America, a suspension setup that doesn't use coil springs, but torsion bars to act like springs.

It was a popular setup in particularly in Chrysler automobiles in the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's.

Sway bar, anti-roll bar or stabilizer bar are the common terms here.

 

[DeliveryValve]

Torsion bar picture..