[W126 Coupe] MBCOUPES Digest, Vol 67, Issue 5

[Axel Wulff]

Ken,

 

If your SLS is not operating (hydraulic rear end suspension), there are a number of components that may be malfunctioning or broken. You should easily be able to tell if the system is not working; either your car will have a very spongy ride (just springs, no damping), or the ride will be rock hard (the hydraulic rams are not moving much).

 

If this is actually the case with your car, I'd start with verifying that the pump is working. You do this by taking the top off the reservoir in the engine compartment, the clear plastic bottle sitting on the driver's side right next to the radiator. With the top off and the engine running you visually verify that oil is circulating in the system. If there is no circulation, either the pump is shot or the system is blocked (which would ruin the pump in short order anyway....).

 

If you have oil circulation, the next thing to check would be the accumulators. They're spherical devices (cannon balls) mounted to the rear subframe. One for each side. If the rubber membrane between the nitrogen chamber and the oil is ruptured, they'll stop working as dampeners and the ride will suffer. Use only genuine MB spheres when you replace them. Don't ask me how I know.......

 

With new spheres and replaced fluids, your system should work properly. If you continue to have issues, the leveling valve may be malfunctioning and should be replaced. Check back for the procedure to test the leveling valve after you've replaced the spheres and the hydraulic oil. The hydraulic rams (looks like conventional shock absorbers) are farily sturdy but can also break. However, their most common problem would be a leakage.

 

Hope this helps in getting you started.

Regards,
Axel J. Wulff
610-731-5453 Cellular
610-572-4611 Home



 


Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:34:37 +0000
From: kenhartz at comcast.net
To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com
Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] MBCOUPES Digest, Vol 67, Issue 5




Hey guys;

Thanks for the responses.  I do believe the sway bar bushing is the problem, since it is making the same noise it did when I bought the car used in 1993.  I immediately took it to my benz dealer and had a bunch of stuff done, but the dealer had a tough time with the noise.  They started replacing a bunch of stuff, and after about two or three visits to them for the same problem, they finally trouble shot the problem by having a technician ride in the trunk, and determined the exact noise location.  They replaced the sway bar end bushings, and that took care of the problem.  Unfortunately, I spent about 1000.00 (if my memory is correct) to get to the root of the problem.  Anyway, I did find what looks like the correct bushing at this link http://www.autopartsworld.com/mercedes-benz_parts/560sec/strutrod/1986.html  , but the bushing retails for 50.00, and they are charging 72.00!!  I guess it is a case of supply and demand, but I will keep looking.  If anyone knows where I can get this busing cheaper, please let me know.

Also, I looked up Auto-RX, and it looks interesting, I will probably give it a try if the normal trans service doesn't cure the problem.  I would get it today and try it, but it looks as if it is only sold direct, and I was going to do the trans work either tomorrow, or Tuesday.

One more thing regarding my rear suspension.  The level actuator that attaches to the sway bar doesn't work, or so I have been told by my ex mechanic.  The leveling feature doesn't work on the car, and I was wondering, has anyone taken apart one of these actuators to try to repair them. or are they completely shot when they go??  If the part was cheap, I would just replace it, but it is about 350.00.

Thanks for all the help.

Ken

Kenneth N. Hartz, President
Advanced Mortgage Services, Inc.
946 Farnsworth Ave.
Bordentown, NJ 08505
(p) 609-351-6565
(f) 609-479-3557

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Sent: Sunday, January 10, 2010 12:15:26 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: MBCOUPES Digest, Vol 67, Issue 5

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