w124 estate self leveling suspension prob

[benster]

ive got a 1995 w124 estate, the ride as gone really hard and bouncey, I had one of the struts changed on the rear, which was leaking, ive read up on this and know about the spheres and valve that adjusts the height, whats the best way to check its working is just a matter of putting weight in the back turning on and and see if it raises up, or is their another way
thanks in advance

 

[LostKiwi]

Hard ride is almost always a bad sphere.

 

[benster]

ye

Hard ride is almost always a bad sphere.

yeah ive heard that, they've been on it from new probably so was going to change them, from what ive read they are a bit akward to get to

 

[benster]

ye

yeah ive heard that, they've been on it from new probably so was going to change them, from what ive read they are a bit akward to get to

is there anywhere on here that gives a detailed description on how to change them

 

[LostKiwi]

 

[benster]

thank you for that

 

[robparker]

Febi ones are cheap, if you are planning to keep the car a long time I'd buy them from Mercedes

 

[benster]

Febi ones are cheap, if you are planning to keep the car a long time I'd buy them from Mercedes

i don't suppose you know how much the merc ones are, I checked out the febi ones and they are £75 on-line

 

[robparker]

I bought 5 Merc ones for my 6.9, which are basically the same as the 124 ones, and I think they were about double the price of the febi ones, but I have no regrets in the job being done properly and lasting longer, depends how long you will keep it really

 

[benster]

I bought 5 Merc ones for my 6.9, which are basically the same as the 124 ones, and I think they were about double the price of the febi ones, but I have no regrets in the job being done properly and lasting longer, depends how long you will keep it really

well, can't ever see me selling it, so will try and pop into merecs and see how much they come out at, do you think the really last longer then the febi ones ?

 

[robparker]

Only from internet reads, not personal experience. Febi are a good brand

 

[benster]

Only from internet reads, not personal experience. Febi are a good brand

Only from internet reads, not personal experience. Febi are a good brand

Only from internet reads, not personal experience. Febi are a good brand

yeah I thought that, and as money is a bit tight im going for they febi ones and do it myself

 

[benster]

yeah I thought that, and as money is a bit tight im going for they febi ones and do it myself

don't suppose anyone knows how much fluid it takes to refill the suspension and other then mercs where to get it from
thank you

 

[LostKiwi]

don't suppose anyone knows how much fluid it takes to refill the suspension and other then mercs where to get it from
thank you

The fluid is CHF11S - available from most good oil suppliers and the usual GSF/EuroCarparts.

 

[benster]

thanks very much just ordered some and hopefully fit the spheres next week and hoping that will sort the really bumpy ride

 

[LostKiwi]

thanks very much just ordered some and hopefully fit the spheres next week and hoping that will sort the really bumpy ride

Almost certain to. The way the system works is similar to the old Citroen oleo pneumatic system where the ride height is controlled by system pressure in a strut and springing is provided by compressing gas in a sphere by pushing hydraulic fluid through pipes. Quite a simple but clever system.

 

[benster]

Almost certain to. The way the system works is similar to the old Citroen oleo pneumatic system where the ride height is controlled by system pressure in a strut and springing is provided by compressing gas in a sphere by pushing hydraulic fluid through pipes. Quite a simple but clever system.

thanks for that I'll get it done and report back in a couple of weeks, hopefully with a lovely smooth ride

 

[om613]

don't suppose anyone knows how much fluid it takes to refill the suspension and other then mercs where to get it from
thank you

About 2L will do it.

 

[om613]

The fluid is CHF11S - available from most good oil suppliers and the usual GSF/EuroCarparts.

I found no evidence against using LHM, as it's mineral based and of very similar viscosity. But green!
So no problems henceforth, in the next 25K on my S210 (power steering shares the SLS fluid).

ISO 32 'tractor oil' would likely be fine.

 

[benster]

I found no evidence against using LHM, as it's mineral based and of very similar viscosity. But green!
So no problems henceforth, in the next 25K on my S210 (power steering shares the SLS fluid).

ISO 32 'tractor oil' would likely be fine.

thanks for that, I bought 2L will be doing it in the next few weeks