1998 S210 E300TD Saggy corner...........................

[Ali Fox]

Having been a member for a full 6 hours here's the first question, I've done a lot of research and can't be certain so please forgive if this is a dumb question. Does the hydraulic system determine ride height whilst UNLOADED?
The project sits lower by a good six inches on drivers side rear - I've had a quick look, no obvious leaks, shock seems recent, not damp [maybe some very light "misting" in that the dirt polishes off nicely] spring seems good with no cracks breaks etc.
Now this motor has definitely been neglected, the fluid was only just touching the bottom of the filter/pickup.
Could the accumulator be bad on that side? Would that cause the sag?
Actions so far:- Squrted the levers/valve with WD40 and ordered 2 litres of fluid - I'll soon be spending plenty of time under there replacing ABS ring.
Thanks in advance,
Ali

 

[om613]

What state is the fluid, clear light brown / yellow.... or dark as engine oil?

 

[Ali Fox]

Thanks for the response, fluid pretty much clear/yellowish...................

 

[LostKiwi]

The system does control ride height unladen as well.
There is a single height sensor attached to the rear anti-roll bar which directly operates a valve to allow fluid into the struts. Each strut has an accumulator attached to it. If an accumulator fails it will have no gas spring on that side to assist the coil on that side so will sit low.
The system will then compensate by adding fluid to both struts until the average (as sensed from the anti-roll bar) is correct.
The ride on the corner with the failed accumulator will also be very hard when going over speed bumps etc.

 

[Ali Fox]

The system does control ride height unladen as well.
There is a single height sensor attached to the rear anti-roll bar which directly operates a valve to allow fluid into the struts. Each strut has an accumulator attached to it. If an accumulator fails it will have no gas spring on that side to assist the coil on that side so will sit low.
The system will then compensate by adding fluid to both struts until the average (as sensed from the anti-roll bar) is correct.
The ride on the corner with the failed accumulator will also be very hard when going over speed bumps etc.

Thank you so much, I'm aware that I'm attempting to get a very expensive car sorted on a budget so advice/info like this is invaluable - in an ideal world I'd rebuild the entire back end.................. will possibly swap spheres and see if I get the sag on the other side [or just replace the suspect - thanks again,

 

[LostKiwi]

Thank you so much, I'm aware that I'm attempting to get a very expensive car sorted on a budget so advice/info like this is invaluable - in an ideal world I'd rebuild the entire back end.................. will possibly swap spheres and see if I get the sag on the other side [or just replace the suspect - thanks again,

You'll know as soon as you compare them. A failed one is heavy as its full of fluid.
There could be a clue in that the level was down....

 

[om613]

Clear fluid is a good sign.
I have a pair of used spheres available, cheap, that passed the 'pencil test'.
New are around £60.

 

[Ali Fox]

Clear fluid is a good sign.
I have a pair of used spheres available, cheap, that passed the 'pencil test'.
New are around £60.

They would be of interest - can you contact me? [not sure how to "pm"!

 

[LostKiwi]

They would be of interest - can you contact me? [not sure how to "pm"!

You can't PM until you have the requisite number of posts/time on the forum.

 

[Ali Fox]

You can't PM until you have the requisite number of posts/time on the forum.

Ah - how can I buy your spare spheres then? Please advise, thanks in advance,
Ali

 

[LostKiwi]

Ah - how can I buy your spare spheres then? Please advise, thanks in advance,
Ali

They aren't mine - they're @om613 - usually people post their email address in a post then delete it - but you could be found by a bot and spammed.

 

[Ali Fox]

Clear fluid is a good sign.
I have a pair of used spheres available, cheap, that passed the 'pencil test'.
New are around £60.

I' be interested in the spheres, how do we go about it? thanks in advance, A

 

[Ali Fox]

They aren't mine - they're @om613 - usually people post their email address in a post then delete it - but you could be found by a bot and spammed.

thanks for that, I may get the hang of forums!

 

[om613]

Text your email address to O 7941 623 743 and we'll take it from there?