W210 self levelling advice needed

[Michael1983]

Hello,

I recently purchased a 2002 e320cdi avantgarde estate when I got the car it didn't feel quite as good as it should in the ride quality so I first changed the rust rear springs and the rather old looking front shocks not knowing much about the self levelling system but the car was still road bad and local mechanic didn't know much about these hydraulic systems but he said it felt too hard.

I've now purchased new spheres, fluid and filter to hopefully solve this problem but the car seems to sit quite low both front and rear so new springs are going into the front as I found the current ones had broken on the last rung, I am also replacing the spring shims with the rears going up a bur.

My query relates to adjusting the self levelling system on the back as its currently on the higher setting on the valve and I've tested the system so I know it all works but how much can I adjust it?
I would like some more height but at the same time I don't want to risk damaging the new spheres by taking too much weight off the springs.

 

[mioba]

welcome to the forum.
Have you a merc indy near you who can do the job properly (have the diags and tools to know what the settings should be and set the ecu accordingly) and set you on your way assured of a good job.

 

[Naraic]

The rear of the 210 estate always sits a little low...it's how they are. The pic you show is perfect n(except for the usual rust and the wheel).

You will not damage the spheres by adjusting the height. The spheres take the weight at whatever height.

 

[LostKiwi]

As above they all sit a little low - ours was that low but it gave a superb ride so I accepted it.
The system is very simple.
A high pressure hydraulic pump attached to the power steering pump provides high pressure oil to a pair of rear rams (look like shock absorbers but aren't). These are controlled by a height regulator attached to the anti roll bar. If the height is too low the valve in the height regulator opens allowing more oil into the rams lifting the car.
As liquid in incompressible there are two gas spheres - one per side.
These are a steel sphere with a rubber diaphragm. The open end of the sphere (where it attaches to the hydraulic line) is separated from the nitrogen gas in the sealed part of the sphere by the diaphragm.
When a wheel hits a bump the hydraulic ram pushes fluid back down the pipe to the sphere. The increased pressure compresses the gas providing springing. After the bump the pressure in the sphere is higher than the ram so the fluid is pushed back into the ram.
This is the same system pioneered by Citroen and used by Rolls Royce amongst others. It also forms the basis of the Mercedes ABC system.

Don't go too high as you can compromise ride quality.

Our 210:

 

[kotecki]

I don't want to be a killjoy and my only concern is your wallet.

You say you have recently purchased this car but you do not mention the inspections you carried out BEFORE parting with your hard-earned shekels.

A very quick glance at your image highlights a major, major issue the 210 suffered from and that is corrosion! LostKiwi finally had to wave goodbye to his nice version of that model when sadly the hydraulic jack tried raising the car! I believe the jack piston moved but the car body did not!!

This model has an evil reputation and I'm guessing there is no mobilo cover?

Apologies for being off-topic from your question but I am just concerned that repairing the rear suspension might be just the first visit you make to your wallet.

How sad that there is such a vast difference between corrosion issues in the 210 vs the 211

 

[Michael1983]

Thanks for all the replies.

I have just changed the first of the broken front springs and worn out spring shim which I think was likely the original.
That one is now sitting exactly the height I was looking for.

Having been lifted on the jack at the same time the rear on that side is also just where I want it to be after I complete the work currently 3.5cms tyre to arch at the front and 2.5cms at the rear compared to the other side which is about 1 -1.5 cms lower.

So from whats been said I take it once I've changed the rear spring shims and spheres I can drop her to the ground and adjust the self levelling to the this height.

Also to address thd rust the car is solid and unwelded underneath she does have a fair amount of surface rust but no major chassis corrosion and this is next on my agenda along with cleaning up and respraying the alloys after I fix the suspension.

I've attached the before and after photos

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

To balance the ride height out the car should sit level or the rear slightly higher

 

[LostKiwi]

You shouldn't need to adjust them as if everything is working properly the height should be correct at the factory setting.

 

[Michael1983]

Since doing the front which is now sat much higher and will hopefully settle down a tiny bit once drive I'm going to do the spheres, filter and fluid first then see where it sits.
The anti roll bar does have some paint flaking on it and given its been nearly 20 years could the clamp have shifted slightly was more what I was thinking in terms of adjusting it.
One question if anyone might know as I haven't started the car yet (flat battey) since doing the front springs but given its hydraulic controlled off the anti roll bar will the fact that the front is now higher cause the system to level the car hence lift the rear??

 

[LostKiwi]

One question if anyone might know as I haven't started the car yet (flat battey) since doing the front springs but given its hydraulic controlled off the anti roll bar will the fact that the front is now higher cause the system to level the car hence lift the rear??

No.

 

[Michael1983]

What a transformation the car now rides lovely and the steering is nice and light.
The fluid that came out was quite bad and black liquid came out of the spheres.

This is how she sits now without fitting the larger shims on the back or making any adjustments which I think is just right

 

[LostKiwi]

That looks spot on

 

[Blobcat]

That looks spot on

You should get one… great cars are 210’s…

 

[LostKiwi]

You should get one… great cars are 210’s…

While they last they're fantastic!