Feind stage I and stage II sway bars

[gerryvz]

Don't worry, the Fiend Motorsports guys will live up to their name.

 

[bryanjchen]

Brandon, sent you a PM with my address in Taiwan. Thanks again for getting me the bar when I was in the states. Can't wait to get this thing installed. Bryan

 

[Glen]

U-bolt arrived today. Thanks!

 

[Maui]

A big box arrived today. I haven't opened it yet but I suspect it's a sway bar. Thank you.

 

[500AMM]

U-bolt arrived today. Thanks!

View attachment 35555

Is that 6mm og 1/4" threads?


-a-

 

[Temka]

There is at least one real live image stabilizer ??? Is it so difficult to put here!

 

[omegabenz]

btw, put me down for 1 stage 1...I'd like to give it a whirl in the brumos car..

How do you plan to tighten up the front strut mounts? The huge sway bar won't help that much with sloppy strut mounts up top...

I've read conflicting information on the effects of installing a larger rear bar in our cars. I'm trying to moderate oversteer that occurs on the Silver State course in the tight off-camber turn into the Narrows where the rear end will slide out! Wider rear tires have proven helpful but I don't welcome the tramline effect they bring everywhere else on the course. AFAIK, standard theory is that a larger rear bar will normally increase oversteer. However, there appears to be an exception with a front-heavy car running low to neutral camber and a soft rear sway bar. In this case, the weight transfer has the effect of rolling the rear tire off its contact patch, reducing traction. So then a larger rear bar should help. Anyone have some experience or insights to share on this?

Remember your contact patch area on your tires - are they square or rectangle (in direction of travel or perpendicular to direction of travel)? It makes a huge difference in traction. Wider isn't always better, w.r.t. tires...

 

[gerryvz]

How do you plan to tighten up the front strut mounts? The huge sway bar won't help that much with sloppy strut mounts up top...

That's when the Wiechers bar comes in handy

 

[jhodg5ck]

we'll figure something out @ some point.. Might even triangulate some braces/gussets and weld them in....it's a race car after all...;-) Prolly do something in the rear as well b/w the two towers...

jono

 

[omegabenz]

That's when the Wiechers bar comes in handy

Not really. You can hold a pan of jello (i.e. the factory strut mount) as tight as you want and shake it, and the jello will move all around. You need a stiffer strut mount, that is where the RDMTEK shock towers / camber plates were born. Remember, the jello/strut mount will flex all over the place before the wheel houses ever will. That's the point with Mercedes strut mounts - a smooth ride - the compromise is stiff enough to help with handling and still allow proper function of suspension and turning.

we'll figure something out @ some point.. Might even triangulate some braces/gussets and weld them in....it's a race car after all...;-) Prolly do something in the rear as well b/w the two towers...

jono

Well you have RDMTEK camber plates so if you want it stiffer, I can see where you'd think about that. AMG did some mods on the w124 Hammer...Look at the firewall and below /between the A-Arms

 

[jhodg5ck]

Yup.....something like that crossed my mind..but they made more allowances for "looking" factory.. I'm not so concerned..

That aside, put me down for 2, maybe 3 sets of strut mounts if they come back... The brumos/Renntech needs 'em!

Jono

 

[omegabenz]

Jono, we should chat. Ruf mich an!

 

[modzona]

www.ebay.com/itm/Camber-Plates-for-Mercedes-W124-W201-W190-black-mat-/221633669875?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item339a656af3&vxp=mtr

Some camber plates. No affiliation.

Did some more research on the company. It's products are in use on some drifters in the European forumla-D championship. So my guess is the guys know what they are doing. And its a good design as all off the camberplates centers are approximately the same Nissan or Mercedes. So should be solid stuff.

BRAND NEW Front Camber Plates for Mercedes

W124
C124 COUPE
C124
A124
color : BLACK MAT

(2 pieces)

Notice: IT'S for stock

-1,5° to +1,5° of negative camber
Pins are longer than the original pads, which allows you to mount a decent struts.
Installation on a plug & play is very simple.

Suitable for any suspension, which are mounted on factory pads for Mercedes​

 

[omegabenz]

www.ebay.com/itm/Camber-Plates-for-...Parts_Accessories&hash=item339a656af3&vxp=mtr

Some camber plates. No affiliation.

Those probably rattle like crazy!

 

[Hollybrook]

Those probably rattle like crazy!

+1

If anyone decides to go with these, make sure you have a good source for the spherical bearings. Loaded in tension/compression like that, you can expect very frequent replacement. On our race car, we only got a few races before they started to get loose. A better application of spherical bearings is to load them laterally, in which case, they can last a long time.

 

[500AMM]

Hi,
Santa Claus dropped me a nice surprise during the Christmas days.

I haven't done any test fit yet, but the quality looks great, so a big thank to Brandon and his Feind Motorsports for running this!

The 3 other Norwegian takers will soon receive their swaybars, and we are all looking forward to the coming Stage 2 production.


-a-


PS: The other parallel thread on this swaybar group-buy was closed and is now pointing to this thread. But I guess it is useful with a pointer back to that thread too because it contains a lot of information related to the swaybar upgrade in general;
http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=538

 

[500AMM]

Sorry been out of the office for a few weeks on work. Bolts came in today, going to mail them out tomorrow. Being that they are custom made stainless steel U bolts, the lead time is a little up in the air as they are not off the shelf part.

This is a hobby business, so I don't check the boards all that much. Only came on today because I got a PM. Didn't see any emails from you, I'll have to check my junk box filter.

Brandon

We are still missing the U-bolts.

The first confirmation on the shipping was at 1.December, next was at 17.December, plus a couple of text messages after that. So I just wonder - do we ever get them? I guess we could work out this ourself, but then it would be nice to know before starting on that.

-a-

 

[Jackasic]

let me know if you didn't get them, I sent them twice (last we spoke was Jan 13th). Once with the company name (no export docs, just in an envelope), the second time under my personal name to avoid any customs hang ups. I have yet to get them back, so I have assumed you got them. I know that USPS sucks, but surely they aren't this bad?

 

[Jackasic]

BTW, have some bars left in stock.

If you are in the Australia part of the world, Stuttgart Classics (http://www.stuttgartclassics.com/) has three in stock and bars fro Gen I S/C107s. Hit mike up for them.

 

[Hollybrook]

It would be great to hear from those who have installed the bars -- let us know what you think.

 

[Glen]

It would be great to hear from those who have installed the bars -- let us know what you think.

I have some installation pics in my silver car's owner thread. Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to adjust my camber and align it so I haven't really pushed the car. But, my basic observation is that the car exhibits quite a bit less body roll and the rear feels much more planted and secure. So, my preliminary thought is that it's a great product that significantly reduces understeer, especially with staggered wheels/tires.

 

[bryanjchen]

Brandon, been patiently waiting for the U-bolt to arrive but haven't received as of yet. Hopefully will receive soon. If not can you resend to a US address for me and I can try to have someone hand carry to Asia for me? Thanks. Bryan

 

[8899]

I have some installation pics in my silver car's owner thread

Thanks....found it on post #48. I see that you had a recommendation to Feind after your installation:

Note to Feind: if you have another batch made, consider making the bar wider by 1 inch total. Add 1/2" on the outside of each chassis mount point.

Jackasic - any thought given to Glen's recommendation?

 

[Glen]

Its just a consideration. The bar fits as is but I think it would fit better if it were a bit wider, even 1/4" per side would help.

 

[Stevester 500E]

Glen,
Before install, did you set the bars on top of each other or in a mirror image position of each other to see if the mounting surfaces of the bar were roughly the same dimensions? Is that how you determined your original suggestion to make the next batch of a 1/2" wider on each side? Or was it during install that you determined this?

Regards,

Its just a consideration. The bar fits as is but I think it would fit better if it were a bit wider, even 1/4" per side would help.

 

[Glen]

The bars are about identically shaped which is testament to the quality of fabrication. But, because the bar is larger and the mounting bracket is larger and wider, its a tight fit and takes a bit of coercion to bolt up. Widening the bar a bit would just make it a bit easier.

 

[Jackasic]

if you don't get it soon (the guys in Europe just got thiers today), let me know. I can drop on in the mail to a US address for you.

 

[Jackasic]

We are always up for some customer feedback. Shoot me some pictures of what you think need some adjustment and we can look in to it. People ask why it takes a awhile to bring something to market, and I think Glen touches on that. In order to get all the little things in place (u bolt, proper bent bar, sourcing brackets, ect.) it takes a while, if you want to get it right.

I think Jono is running one this weekend at the 24 hours of Lemons race at Barber.

 

[gsxr]

The bars are about identically shaped which is testament to the quality of fabrication. But, because the bar is larger and the mounting bracket is larger and wider, its a tight fit and takes a bit of coercion to bolt up. Widening the bar a bit would just make it a bit easier.

Glen, to clarify... do you want it wider at the frame mounting points (so the bushings aren't pinched), or at the flat ends, or both?

 

[Glen]

At the frame mounting point...so the bushings aren't stressed by the bend.

 

[gsxr]

At the frame mounting point...so the bushings aren't stressed by the bend.

That makes PERFECT sense, and it's what I figured you mean. Thanks for clarifying!

 

[SayHey]

When will be the Stage 2 bars ready?

 

[jhodg5ck]

Stage 1 bar is utterly spectacular on track...a 500E that doesn't push...I was able to drive around all Manner of car this weekend, Love this bar

Jono

 

[500AMM]

We are still missing the U-bolts.

The first confirmation on the shipping was at 1.December, next was at 17.December, plus a couple of text messages after that. So I just wonder - do we ever get them? I guess we could work out this ourself, but then it would be nice to know before starting on that.

-a-

let me know if you didn't get them, I sent them twice (last we spoke was Jan 13th). Once with the company name (no export docs, just in an envelope), the second time under my personal name to avoid any customs hang ups. I have yet to get them back, so I have assumed you got them. I know that USPS sucks, but surely they aren't this bad?

U-bolts arrived - all fine!

I wonder where the other two shipments ended up? Anyway, if they appear I let you know and we agree what we do with them.

Many thanks!

 

[500AMM]

Stage 1 bar is utterly spectacular on track...a 500E that doesn't push...I was able to drive around all Manner of car this weekend, Love this bar

Jono

Jono, have you considered a replacement with a stronger downlink for the swaybars?
Or will the OE plastic links keep up with the increased rigidity?

-a-

 

[gsxr]

Yes, I'm curious if Jono will experience any plastic end link snappage on the track with the monster bar. If so, you can upgrade to the metal end links from the wagons (some modification required).

 

[bryanjchen]

U-bolt has arrived along with the nice complimentary decal. Thanks Brandon!

 

[jhodg5ck]

I run the 210 wagon links on everything. They held up Fine after 9 hours of racing on Saturday and 7 on Sunday!!

Some minor mods req'd but its Easy.

Jono

 

[Glen]

I run the 210 wagon links on everything. They held up Fine after 9 hours of racing on Saturday and 7 on Sunday!!

Some minor mods req'd but its Easy.

Jono

Are those any different than S124 metal links?

 

[gerryvz]

I know on the 126 that he plastic links can be replaced with the metal end links that MB used on the W116 models. It's a direct bolt-in [for 126 chassis, not for 500E].


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jhodg5ck]

Are those any different than S124 metal links?

yes, same links..

The 126 swap is off a 114/115. IIRC, I posted that up over in Bendsworld years ago...;-)

jono

 

[8899]

Would be great to hear from folks who have done this upgrade. Any noticeable improvement? What about bushings....have most of you kept the poly bushings that came with the bar, or have you replaced them with OE bushings? Also, what have most of you done with the end link...kept original, bought a OE replacement, or upgraded to the metal end link? TIA?

 

[Dbreid]

Quick question about these... I have one (thank you!) and I put the car up in the air to look at exactly what I need to do to swap. Unbolting the bar is easy, but it doesn't look possible to fish it out without dropping the subframe and stuff? Am I wrong? Do I have to drop most of the rear end to get the old bar out and the new one in?

 

[8899]

Quick question about these... I have one (thank you!) and I put the car up in the air to look at exactly what I need to do to swap. Unbolting the bar is easy, but it doesn't look possible to fish it out without dropping the subframe and stuff? Am I wrong? Do I have to drop most of the rear end to get the old bar out and the new one in?

Click here and go to post #48:

http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=168

 

[gsxr]

Quick question about these... I have one (thank you!) and I put the car up in the air to look at exactly what I need to do to swap. Unbolting the bar is easy, but it doesn't look possible to fish it out without dropping the subframe and stuff? Am I wrong? Do I have to drop most of the rear end to get the old bar out and the new one in?

You will need to remove the forward subframe bolts, possibly remove the muffler (or at least unhook the rubber hangers), and maybe unbolt the flex disc. The link Greg posted above with Glen's procedure also works.

FSM procedure:
http://www.w124-zone.com/downloads/MB CD/W124/w124CD2/Program/Chassis/32-0310.pdf

 

[Jackasic]

Quick bump, we have 6 left in stock. If you are down under or there abouts, Stuttgart Classics has 3 in stock.

 

[SayHey]

Quick bump, we have 6 left in stock. If you are down under or there abouts, Stuttgart Classics has 3 in stock.

When will rear ones be ready?

 

[Jackasic]

the rear stage I's are in stock now. Stage II probably later this year. Too much going on in my day job to work on them at the moment

 

[BH15]

the rear stage I's are in stock now. Stage II probably later this year. Too much going on in my day job to work on them at the moment

Stage 1 still in stock?? I checked the website and didn't see them

I would like to order one + unbolts, bushings etc if so! Looking to mount to my s124

Ps if you are sold out... Anyone have a stock 500e rear bar they would like to sell??

 

[gerryvz]

I just visited the Jack-man a few weeks back. He still had a few of the Stage 1's as of that time, but only a handful. You had better get in quick if you want one ... they are selling slowly but surely.