Driving to work this morning, I hear a loud clunk from the front. Oh-oh. Did not happen for a few miles. Maybe the parking brake was stuck again. Maybe just my imagination. Then it did it again.

I stop, inspect the suspension and the steering. Nothing. I proceed, and clunk again! Seems to drive ok. Then I hit the exit ramp, and something just feels wrong. I look again. Nothing. Proceed to work nervously.

Every moving part in the front end has been replaced by me, so I was trying to imagine what I might have screwed up, and whether I was going to visit the ditch (or worse). Memories came back from the time when the balljoint popped out and the wheel fell off shortly after I got the car.

Went out at lunch, and looked, and looked, and puzzled, and puzzled, then finally I see it! Broken swaybar bracket at frame. Hard to see, because the broken pieces fit together nicely when parked.

Now I have had these things off the car before, and I'll have to say that they look unbelievably flimsy for something under that much load, so I guess it is no big surprise. Seems like something that should be a heavy forged part. Other cars have beefy frame swaybar brackets. Very un-Benz-like.

Maybe I should build forged ones and sell them. The performance would probably improve as well, because these things must bend a lot even in normal use.

Anyways, if you hear a clunk, check 'em out.

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1986 300E 5-Speed 240k mi.

You should see the tin can material used on our 1997 C280. I was sorely disappointed with the quality of the brackets, especially after replacing two.

Tim

Samethink happened on our 1989 300-E only when you made right turn there was a thunk like some part of the suspension was on its way out. We brought it to the dealer it was a cheap enough fix but like you I wonder. It surely was not over engineered.
Now its got me wondering about the sway bar brakets on my 1992 sport 300-E is their an up grade from the 500-E that would work or do they share the same parts?

Bob Geco

I found the same thing on my '90 300CE last week! You're right it is very flimsey. As a Mech. Engr. I was amazed. I welded it back together but I was tempted to weld some gussets on. I decided to wait and check with other owners.
First, how expensive is this piece to replace? Second, has there been any improvements? Third, has anybody welded on gussets?
I just don't want it to break again - whatever it takes.

I think MB redesigned them slightly after about 89 or 90, but I wonder if they're supposed to be this flimsy? They do use plastic links on the rear sway bars.

Part is about $20. Now I wonder if they are actually intended to have some fore/aft flex, since they have that unusual 'slide' mounting at the control arm end.

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1986 300E 5-Speed 240k mi.