It's difficult to replace the front anti-sway bar on the 124 because to do so, you have to remove the steering rack. However there is a good way to reduce body roll with far less work, and that's by replacing the sway bar bushings with stiff polyurethane bushings, and this mod has no real downsides.
We are using the Powerflex polyurethane bushings, which are available through Eurocompulsion.
This bushing kit will reduce body roll without making the car feel harsh, and without any real reduction in the suspension's ability to move the wheels independently. This works by reducing the bushing's compliance, which allows the front sway bar to more effectively control body roll.
To install the upgraded bushings, you must first remove the front wheels and the lower forward splash shields in the wheel wells. That will give you easy access to the brackets that mount the anti-sway bar. There are only two brackets; a left and a right. They are each held on by a pair of 14mm nuts.
Once the brackets are removed, you have to remove the stock bushing by cutting it and prying it off with a screwdriver. It's bonded to the bar, so it will take some effort.
EC TECH TIP: Cut three or four slots in the stock bushing laterally with a Dremel tool. The heat from that will de-bond the bushing from the bar making it come off very easily.
Replace the old with the new bushings, use the included lube and reassemble. Enjoy improved handling!
Another key advantage of upgrading to polyurethane sway bar bushings over the factory rubber ones is longevity and consistency. Rubber bushings tend to wear out, soften, and even crack over time due to heat, road grime, and constant flexing, which gradually reduces their effectiveness and brings body roll back.
Polyurethane, on the other hand, is far more resistant to deformation and environmental damage, meaning it maintains its stiffness and performance much longer. This gives you a more predictable and responsive driving feel over time, rather than the gradual decline you get with rubber. So not only are you improving handling right away, you're also making a longer-term upgrade that holds its performance without needing frequent replacement.