Leaking spheres?

[marc124]

HI

I have an E220 about go for an MOT. From giving it a look over I found that the self levelling spheres are leaking hydraulic oil. The resevoir has lost a lot of oil and it can been seen under the car if left for a while. I wouldn't have notuceed anything unless i had looked underneath.

Does anyone have an idea if this will fail the MOT because of the leak. Also do these spheres cost a lot of money and are they easy to fit?

any advice would be very welcomed.

thanks for your help

cheers

Marc

 

[Richard Moakes]

You need to take a closer look underneath, its unlikely the spheres themselves are leaking, it's more likely the lines have rusted and ruptured.

The usual Sphere failure mode is that they lose gas pressure internally and the suspension goes very firm.

Good Luck,

 

[Richard Moakes]

To answer your original question, I do believe leaking suspension pipes or spheres would be considered an MOT failure.

Not sure how they are changed on a W124 estate, but I do believe they are accessed from the luggage compartment inside the car? Someone who knows more about SLS on W124T will chip in shortly I am sure. I only know how it works on R129 series.

 

[Number_Cruncher]

I agree with Richard on both counts;

- It's much more likely to be leaking pipework
- The car should fail an MOT with leaking suspension components

 

[television]

The actual words are on the MB paper, a little moist is OK but any dripping is not, this also applies to the 230

 

[Number_Cruncher]

The actual words are on the MB paper, a little moist is OK but any dripping is not, this also applies to the 230

That is true only for the pushrods in the hydraulic rams, as the pushrods are lubricated by the hydraulic oil. The spheres, valves, pump, and pipes shold be bone dry.

 

[meanie]

To answer your original question, I do believe leaking suspension pipes or spheres would be considered an MOT failure.

Not sure how they are changed on a W124 estate, but I do believe they are accessed from the luggage compartment inside the car? Someone who knows more about SLS on W124T will chip in shortly I am sure. I only know how it works on R129 series.

All done from underneath.If it is the pipes (& it probably is),you will ideally need to lower the rear subframe in order to get the replacements in without b*ggering them up!!

Check out the link below,recommend these or something similar to crack of the unions.

http://www.tooled-up.com/ManProduct.asp?PID=148372

 

[Richard Moakes]

All done from underneath.If it is the pipes (& it probably is),you will ideally need to lower the rear subframe in order to get the replacements in without b*ggering them up!!

Don't I know it Just did them on my R129