230TE Rear Suspension Seized?

[Brian23]

Hi, the last few weeks I have noticed that my car feels very bouncy as you drive along. On pushing on each corner of the car it seems that the rear suspension will not move. What causes this? It is a 1992 230TE. Any help with this will be appreciated. I have not been under the car yet to look. Is there any grease nipples on the suspension that should have been greased?
Brian

 

[Bolide]

More than likely the rear suspension spheres need replacing

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[andy_k]

just what Nick said. I'd bet money on the rear spheres having failed.

Just as an aside, what's your car mileage? The original spheres are supposed to have a "life" of 200k miles

Andy

 

[Bolide]

Just as an aside, what's your car mileage? The original spheres are supposed to have a "life" of 200k miles

I've only had one set fail - at 195,000 miles

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Brian23]

Hi,
my car has done only 237K, so only just run in. I will check the manual to see what these are. I do a lot of machanics on different cars including this one, but this will be a first. Easy job?
Brian

 

[Ian Parkin]

Hi Brian
I have had 2 230's that i have replaced the spheres on at about 150k but used both cars for carrying heavy loads.
Its a fairly easy job to do Though I would recommend spraying with plus gas on the pipe unions for a day or so before starting and get some good quality spanners for the smaller pipes.
You do need to get under the car to be able to stand up to access the very tight centre torx bolt with a long extension.
I did it on both cars by putting the car on a forklift truck with pallets under each end ( just in case)

Ian

 

[Derek Carroll]

I have just joined this forum, does anybody know if it is possible to replace the rear shocks on a 230TE with standard type shocks doing away with the self leveling system. If so, what model would fit.

Derek Carroll

 

[Ian Parkin]

Dont think its possible as the rear shocks act as springs on a self leveller.

 

[Brian23]

Ian,
on the rear W124 spheres. You only need to change these, nothing else? As andy K talks about replacing hydrolic pipes, self leveling brackets etc. Is there a need to touch the level control unit, or just cracking the seal on the unions and drining that way ok? I will get new rubber seats for the spheres, copper washers.
yours
Brian

 

[Ian Parkin]

Yes only the spheres themselves need changing but you may be lucky getting the unions undone without damaging them

 

[Brian23]

Thanks again Ian,
Brian