300TD Suspension
 

I finally fixed the sagging rear suspension on my 81 300TD. I replaced the self leveling control valve and now the wagon sits level and is no longer bouncy. The problem now, is that the ride is seems a bit hard. Is that normal?

Also, I will be replacing the front springs with a set of 45mm lowering springs (I’m going for the AMG look, see attached pic) and I would like to replace the front shocks at the same time. Should I use the Bilstein comfort shocks, B36-0703, or the Bilstein heavy duty shocks, B36-0704?

Thanks,
Gary

The harsh ride is controled by the accumulators. Sounds like you need to replace them. The system sounded like it was showing it's age and the accumulators are the workhorse of the system.
The nitrogen gas has probably leaked out of the accumulators and so the hydraulic fluid does not have anything to dampen the movement of the actuator strut.
Do a search on accumulators.

Dave

Probably the air cells- accumulators that need replacing.

Gary,
About a month ago I install the Bilstein Heavy Dutys on my wagon, and I am happy with them. Although they are stiff, and depending on what you are going to do with your car you may want a more comfortable ride with the confort shocks.

I think I went with the heavy dutys because my car was simply bouncing down the road. Since I installed the new shocks it has stopped, but the real cause was the rear suspension air cells being bad, and my fear now is that once I fix the rear suspension, that the car is going to be too stiff for my purposes...daily driver / baby carrier...

I have the air cells and will be rebuilding the rear suspension this weekend as long as its not too hot this weekend...

I had shocks installed on my 123 sedan, I specified Bilsteins. The shop assumed I wanted heavy duty shocks, after two weeks of bouncing around I had them pull them off and install the comfort (standard) Bilsteins, it is much better now!
If you were carrying a heavy load all the time the heavy duty shocks might be necessary but for simple driving they are much too stiff, the car will lose all its fine ride qualities!
Dieseldiehard
1971 220 (gas) 4-spd manual 106441
1979 300TD w/ ’85 turbo engine 295530
1983 300D 243280
1985 300TD 217300
1987 300D 258230

I think that's clear
 

Gary,
I think the wagon gang has spoken, go with the comfort shocks. :cool:

However (here it comes) I will say this if you are going for an amg look you may also want that feeling, from my experience my wagon feels more like my amg than my 300d...and if that's what your going for...you may want to consider the HD.

I know MTUpower said the comfort shocks "handle better" and I'm not going to argue with that, because come on, it's a 20 year old diesel wagon...when it comes to handling with these wagons between these shocks it's six of one, half dozen of another. But the feeling is without a doubt similiar in basic driving i.e. firm and stiff.

I wish I had the comfort shocks, don't get me wrong. Everytime I go over a speed bump my 7 months lets me have it....but they were cheap and new and on ebay, so my impulses won that round... :o

jason

Thanks for the replys! Comfort shocks it is.

If they are available for the 123 body, my vote would be for the Bilstein Sport shocks... the Sport and the HD have the SAME valving, so they "feel" the same, but the Sport's have a shorter piston which will work better with the shortened sport springs you plan on using.

J.G.

Okay I'm an idiot....
 

I completely retrack my earlier comments....

I have fixed the rear suspension and my car now sits at least 3 inches higher in the rear...and now it bouces down the road I guess do to the heavy duty shocks the MTUpower warned about.

He's right, it's true, I'm wrong, and it doesn't feel like the amg at all. My car now acts like a large white rabbit bouncing down the road...

Any one want to trade? New HD Shocks for sale...Swap for comfort shocks...cheap...before my seat springs wear out!

I noticed the increased height in the front also (maybe about 1" higher than the back) when installing the HD shocks recently. From the body to the ground is about 12" clearance with 195/70/14" tires on '82 300TD? Is there some way to lower the front end about one inch without messing with the springs. Would removing the rubber bushing that goes between the body the the shocks on the underside of the wheel well have any effect? Now the front end is so stiff that it is impossible to budge it by pushing down on the fender. Anyone interested in some Bilstein HD's with zero miles? I think I might reinstall the old shocks.

I have a 123 sedan and I just finished installing the HDs last weekend.

I can't imagine what you guys are talking about. The HDs are not very stiff to me and improve the handeling greatly. After the upgrade, I believe the 123 has some performance potential. I want to get some stiffer linear rate springs and larger sway bars.

Maybe the results are different on a wagon...

Or perhaps I just like a rough, tight ride.

The wagon is different, trust me...
 

It's the hydrolic suspesion in the rear that makes the difference. When my didn't work I like the HDs, but now that it is fixed, it bouces...

Suspension And Things
 

Some time ago I replaced the shocks on my '77 240D/300D with heavy duty shocks. Of the nine other 123s that the family has, mine is the only one with a distinctive rake, lower in the front. And it goes thru the corners so fast that my son's 300DT can't catch me.

I recently accquired a 280TE which from the outset sat lower than all our 300DTs. So I put heavy duty shocks on it and it stayed low. Great!!! Wanting to hurtle through the turns like my 240D/300D just doesn't seem in tha cards because of the bouncy rear end. Since I've only had the wagon for a short time, I haven't had the occasion to ask if the bouncy rear end is normal. If so, it is definitely tiring and I'm going for heavy dutys back there as well. Just can't beat my 240D/300D for a firm well cornering ride!! I'm convinced that the 240D springs are lower and firmer. Guess they have to be to be the world's taxi cab choice for the third world.

Ben

Did anyone succesfully raise his 300TD? I lifted my 300TD quite a bit with the heavy duty springs. I left the original shockers in place. After countless miles off-road with a heavy travel package the whole system is still working.

Now I want to lift it a bit more, but I don't see how. The HD shockers won't raise the car as this is done with springs. But I already have the HD springs.
Did someone over here try other springs (custom made, or from another (tuning)brand or something?

Jurgen

couldn't you adjust the SLS neutral point for a higher ride?