Introduction

This repair guide will show you how to replace the front sway bar bushings on an ML, applicable to 1998-2005. The primary purpose of the sway bar is to reduce body roll on corners and improve vehicle stability in highway driving. You should consider replacing the sway bar bushings on your ML if you notice the following:

• Noise in Front Suspension
• Clunking
• Rattling
• Torn Sway Bar Bushings Upon Inspection
• Poor handling
• Noise when going over bumps

Even though these are common symptoms of failed stabilizer/sway/torsion bar bushings, other suspension components could cause similar problems.

Make:	Mercedes-Benz
Model:	ML320 ML430 ML350 ML500 ML55 AMG
Years:	1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Difficulty:	Medium
DIY Cost	$20-$50
Time:	90 minutes

Parts & Tools Required

To complete this repair, you will need a sway bar bushing kit. There are a total of 4 bushings that will need to be replaced. In this case, we also replaced the sway/torsion bar bracket, which is unnecessary in most cases. If you need new bushings, a [easyazon_link keywords=”Mercedes ml320 Sway Bar Bushing” locale=”US” tag=”mercmedi00-20″]Mercedes w163 Sway Bar Mount Bushing Kit[/easyazon_link] Front complete kit sells online for under $30.

DIY Instructions to Remove & Install New Sway Torsion Bar Bushings ML W163

Step 1: Jack up your ML

Before you start, make sure your emergency brakes are engaged. While this repair could be performed without removing the front wheels, it will be easier to work under the car and remove the bushings if you remove the wheel. Loosen the lug nuts on the front two tires, but don’t remove them yet. Raise the car using your jack and place a couple of [easyazon_link keywords=”jack stands” locale=”US” tag=”mercmedi00-20″]Jack Stands Min Rating 2 Ton[/easyazon_link] to secure the vehicle.

STEP 2: Remove the outer sway bar bushing

Remove the bolt on the bracket at the lower control arm. Once the bracket is removed, the outer sway bar bushing can be easily removed by sliding the bushing out.

STEP 3: Remove the inner bushing

Locate the inner sway bar bushing. You will need to remove two bolts to remove this bushing.

STEP 4 OPTIONAL: Remove the retaining bracket

If you plan on removing the retaining bracket, do so now. You must remove the bolt that secures the retaining bracket to the frame.

STEP 5: Install new inner sway bar bushing

Now that all the brackets are removed, slide out the inner sway bar bushing and install the new bushing. Notice that the hole inside the bushing is more prominent on one side. That is the side that needs to face toward the wheel.

STEP 6: Install the new retaining bracket

If you are replacing the retaining bracket, install the new bracket. Torque the bolt that holds the retaining bracket to the frame to 100 Nm. Next, install the bracket and the two bolts that hold the inner sway bar bushing to the retaining bracket. Tighten the two bolts to 50Nm.

STEP 7: Install the outer sway bar bushing.

Install the outer sway bar bushing. Tighten the bolt to approximately 65 Nm.

Recommended Parts

Related Part Numbers

• [easyazon_link keywords=”ml500 sway bar bushing” locale=”US” tag=”mercmedi00-20″]Stabilizer / Sway / Torsion Bar bushing Outer[/easyazon_link] 1633200373
• [easyazon_link keywords=”Sway Bar Bushing Kit w163″ locale=”US” tag=”mercmedi00-20″]Sway Bar Bushing Kit[/easyazon_link] 1633200044

VIDEO How to STOP squeaky noise | Bushings | Sway Bar REAR on Mercedes ML55

Torque Specifications

• Retaining bracket to frame bolt, 100 Nm.
• Bolt to lower control arm, 65 Nm.
• Retaining bracket, inner bushing, two bolts, 50Nm.

Has the check engine light come on in your dashboard? Use a YOUCANIC Scanner to diagnose and repair your Mercedes-Benz like a pro! With the YOUCANIC Scanner, you can read and clear fault codes in many different systems, including the engine, ABS, and airbag modules.

We want your feedback!

Was this information helpful? Use the comments section below to share your experiences or tell us what we can do to improve the article.