How to Fix Mercedes ML and Suspension Creaking! - Sway Bar Bushings (W164) - ML63

I replace some worn out sway/torsion bar bushings in my 2009 ML63. Fairly easy to do. This applies to all ML and GL models on the W164/X164 chassis!
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Torsion bar bushings: www.fcpeuro.co...
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[@treskadeka1]

This is an excellent video because it described the issues I had with my ML350. My indie mechanic couldn't figure out what was making that clunking/creaking noise when going over speed bumps or through dips. He tightened all the suspension bolts and still didn't resolve it. This video is great, however, on my ML350, once I undid the 18mm bolts, the swaybar just dropped forward and I was able to access both sides of the 13mm nut and bolt WITHOUT removing the swaybar link. Made the job that much quicker and easier. Before undoing the 13mm bolt/nut you might want to mark with tape where the bushing begins so the sway bar isn't misaligned. Should put the Torque settings in your brief narrative, or jump to 10:12 in the video. 18mm bolts: 180Nm (132ft/lb), 13mm nut/bolt 40Nm (29.5 ft/lb), 21mm bolt 100Nm (73.7 ft/lb) + 180 degrees.

[@SamAbraham]

Thanks for sharing, and I appreciate the written torque specs. Makes this better for everyone, I'll pin your comment so people see this. Have a good one, enjoy a creak-free ML!

[@treskadeka1]

One thing I did notice. You have to have the swaybar in the loaded position when you start tightening the bushings. Otherwise, the bushings will creak. Ask me how I know.

[@markingram4023]

Thanks Sam. Good video hope to see more. From. Australia.

[@AndryHikari]

Thankyou sir. My car same problem. Greats video

[@itsrobbrown]

Cheers mate .. going to give it go now myself ..

[@SamAbraham]

rob b Good luck!

[@absbica31]

I'm in a situation where I need to replace my rear sway bar bushings. However, I'm having trouble finding them. I can't tell if they are actually a part of the rear bar or separate items.

[@SamAbraham]

Funnily enough I once tried to replace them, but they aren't sold by mercedes... They only will sell the entire rear bar. I bought a pair of aftermarket bushings on ebay years ago which appeared to be the same. When the time came to actually replace them, I realized you cant access these bushings without dropping the entire rear subframe.

[@Dnasty1]

Are all sway bar bushings replaceable? I have a w207 which I think is causing me all sort of problems but the bushing look sealed and I don't see any after market bushing available only the entire sway bar.

[@SamAbraham]

Some chassis do require you to drop the subframe though I don't believe that is true on the W204, which is almost exactly the same underneath as the 207. I haven't looked into that in a long time so I could be wrong, I would check some parts diagrams online to see if they list the bushing as a separate part number

[@robbie3304]

Good vid but need more light cheers

[@rdhomeimprovementsdt]

That's were oil cooler leak comes down as well ,had to fix mine

[@SamAbraham]

Mine was actually the front diff leaking

[@madmerk7774]

Just did my bushing and links on my 2009 ML 63 AMG do the bushings settle and move after install? Cause just looked at mine after a night out and the smaller clamps have both moved from the original location when I installed them? Love your vids! Just need your advice Thank you.

[@SamAbraham]

Hey there, a little bit of movement is absolutely fine. Just as long as they aren't torn apart!

[@madmerk7774]

Thank you sir!

[@viktorzaimov8370]

Hey ive been looking for bushing for the 2014 ml63 i cant tind any where dis u get these

[@SamAbraham]

FCPEuro, one of the best sources if you live in the US

[@Wong4u]

My ML550 when going over speed bumps on cold days have a clunking sound, sometimes squeaking. Was that what you were experiencing? It has 143k miles on it and I'm thinking of upgrading all four absorbers.

[@SamAbraham]

This was more of a creaking/squeaking sound. Only 80k miles I’d say. The clunk could be sway bar end links. Both the links along with the 4 sway bar bushings are relatively cheap, so at that mileage I’d just replace all of it. If there’s still a noise after, you could be looking at control arm bushings, upper or lower, which are a lot more expensive. I just ordered a pair of upper control arms as the suspension still makes a little bit of noise, despite having new air struts, lower control arms, sway bar links, and sway bar bushings

[@Wong4u]

@@SamAbraham Thanks for the quick reply. I'll order the link and sway bar bushing kit from FCP Euro and be done with since its all there anyway. Great video.

[@SamAbraham]

@@Wong4u Yeah of course! Sounds good, let me know if that solves your problem

[@mars10550lauren]

I live in Seattle and the other day driving in the rain I noticed my tail end shift a little bit, could this be a blushing issue or sway bar? I just took my car to MB for a spark plug change and noticed right after. What could be causing the issue

[@SamAbraham]

When you say "shift" do you mean like slightly skid? Could simply be tires but I'm assuming you've already checked that. As these cars are pretty old now, if you know either of those things haven't been replaced before I would just go ahead and do it, they're not very expensive. I'll be making a video on rear sway bar bushings very soon!

[@mars10550lauren]

Hi thank you for your reply. Yes, I replaced the tires with cross country all weather. As far as the shift it was a slight sway left to right and if I had to measure I’d say about a 1 foot shift. Okay so sway bar replacement you’d recommend! How about bushings? Also I notice this slight noise when the park is parked or I come to stop at the light it sounds as if the car is doing a quick exhale like a scchhhhh sound. What do you think that could be?

[@SamAbraham]

Marissa Chambers Does your car have air suspension? You could have some bad air struts if that’s the case but that’s probably something your service advisor would have brought up. That could be creating the noise along with the poor handling. I actually just bought the rear sway bar bushings off ebay as they weren’t for sale on FCPEuro.com, where I usually buy all my parts. Sway bar end links usually make more of a clunking sound when they’re bad although not a bad idea to take a look at them.

[@mars10550lauren]

Samuel Abraham so the noise was from a loose hose and it had fixed and the noise is al gone thank God it was driving me insane!! If you need to know the exact name I can tell you but it was a hose

[@mars10550lauren]

Samuel Abraham yes it does have air suspension