My wagon's ride has gotten extremely bumpy of late. I also can't take dips and speed bumps the way I used to - the front wheels go over them as smoothly as ever but the back wheels feel very stiff.

The self-leveling suspension seems to be working fine as far as leveling goes... But my guess is the accumulators (never replaced before as far as I know) are shot. Before I go and blow a lot of money on new accumulators, does anyone here have any other ideas?

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'81 300TD Wagon 355k (Miss Diesel)
'83 300SD 180k
'84 500SEL 190k (Parting it out)

It's your accumulators.

Dave

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

I'll second that, sounds exactly like accumulators. Bumpy or hard ride (almost like there are no shocks back there), but with functioning self-leveling, points straight to accumulators.

Good luck with the replacement!

-sam

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"That f***in' biodiesel is makin' me hungry."

1982 300TD Astral Silver w/ 250k (BIO BNZ)
2001 Aprilia SR50 Corsa Red w/ 5.5k (>100 MPG)

Someone posted on here a couple of years ago, that the accumulators could be rebuilt. Something about a connection with Citroen suspensions. May be cheaper than new.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13