#!$%&! rusted sway bar

[fourthblb]

Does anyone have a suggestion for replaceing a severely rusted right front sway bar? Mine snapped at the threads this weekend while I was replacing the bushings. :mad:

[Lyonstexas]

Are you talking about the link between the sway bar and the suspension? If so, the swaybar link replacement kits are available at the dealer for not much money.

Tim

[BENZITCH]

Let me guess it broke on the 126.
If you get a good idea please let me know. I have a 84 500SEC with the same problem. It looks like the ,etal was turned out on a lathe.
Bruce
PS The sway bar is inexpensive $120 the book calls for 16 hours labor.

[fourthblb]

Bruce, you confirmed what I was afraid of. The sway bar broke off at the very end where it goes through the control arm on my 126. I looked inside the engine compartment to see where the sway bar mounted to the body, but I could see nothing. I figured this would be a labor intensive job, UGH! I'm probably going to send it to the body shop instead of opening up that can of worms myself. Wish me luck. Brock

[Maxbumpo]

It is my understanding that the huge labor cost for this repair generally is so prohibitive that most cars are scrapped when it happens. 16 hours is probably about $1600 or more, and if the sway bar is rusted, probably rest of car is as well.

[BENZITCH]

It's not even rust. Infact it is more like metal fatigue!
If you do it, have yourself a thicker bar made up. It will increase the handling in the corners.
Do you know someone from a spring shop who can weld? It was suggested to me that it could be done but ...
How many miles on your car? Mine was about 400k when it let go one day.
Bruce

[wbain]

I'd that job in a hearbeat. I'm actually looking for a W126 SEL with a broken swaybar to repair as long as the rest of the car is in good shape.