Self Levelling Suspension Adjustment

[Two Eight Steve]

After reeplacing the spheres on my wifes 1990 124 300TE and finding that the control arm was badly worn, I have now obtained a new control arm from the dealer. I need to fit it but I am unsure of how to set the adjustment to the correct position. Does any one know of the correct procedure for adjusting the arm to the correct setting, after I have fitted it.

 

[w210inSpain]

Ideally this needs to be done with the car on a level surface like over a pit, but if you don´t have access then maybe put the rear of the car on ramps and the front on axle stands.
With the link rod disconnected you will be able to raise and lower the rear of the car manually to check the operation and set the height. Start the engine in P or N, handbrake on. Then operate the arm on the valve (up and down like a tap). The car should raise and lower. I can´t remember the exact height which is measured from the ground to the centre of the wheel arch, but a rough guide would be around 2 inches from top of tyre to wheel arch. (at this point I can hear the ooohs, and eeehs from the mechanics amongst us, but that´s what tolerances are for!!)
Find a 4mm drill bit, there´s a 4mm hole in the control arm, and also in the valve body, when you fit the arm make sure the drill bit lines up through both, this will hold the valve in the correct position, then adjust the rod to maintain the ride height.
It´s been a while since I´ve done one of these to the book, but did my own on my 210 (same system), so if anyone wants to add or correct me, I won´t be offended!
After you´ve driven the car and settled the suspension, you can always adjust again if it looks wrong.

Pete.

 

[Two Eight Steve]

I will give it a go, thanks.