If the kids quit arguing for a while.

dmorrison, you should remove the pump & install a block off plate from a 380 or 420SEL.

Awhile ago, on another thread, I enquired about the possibilty of eliminating the SLS on my '84 TD. The fact came up that the W123 sedan shocks are much taller than the SLS 'shock' units. Is there a shorter coventional shock availible to replace the SLS unit, or some kind of adapter-kit to fit the sedan shock?

Happy Motoring, Mark

or just make one out of a piece of aluminum or steel if you can't find these cars

You must remove the SLS pump. Install a square aluminum or steel block off plate. You need a plate with four bolt holes drilled in it. A bit of silicone to seal it up and you are good to go.

As for the sedan shocks, they work fine for the conversion. No length issues. They bolt right up nicely

see my new site with all the info and photos of the spring conversion at www.SLSConversion.com

How is everyone's SLS treating them? I have sold a good amount of sets this year and not one complaint to date. If anyone needs to fix their system without spending too much, the springs have worked great.

They are 225 shipped to your door. If I get 5 people wanting to order these, I will drop it to 199 shipped. :-) Get me here or at propigksin@aol.com...More pics at www.slsconversion.com

Thanks,
Erik

You accept credit cards, have a web site people can order from and have sold "dozens" of these? Sounds like a business to me, not a hobby. Better thank Peach Parts for giving you free advertising. :(

From propigskin's website for SLS conversion
 

............'These have been reviewed on forums such as SuperTurboDiesel.com and Peachparts.com with many happy customers!..............'

Personally, Ive not seen any 'Reviews' on this conversion, only this thread and a similar one on STD, both of which question the effectiveness of the conversion....:rolleyes:

I havent seen any comments by 'Happy Customers' in either thread....:eek:

has anybody actually needed their "shocks" from the SLS system replaced? I know the accumulators fail on occasion, but the shocks seem indestructible. the spheres are affordable, and easy to change, the valve is easily rebuildable, and the pump is indestructible the hoses are easy to rebuild.

why change out the awesome SLS?

I've seen a "shock" or two develop a leak. Spheres and the valve are of course the most common.

-Tad

on the car you saw with a leak in the shock, had it been running without fluid for a while causing the car to drive saggy and perhaps bottom out the shock?

I'm not sure when it started leaking. It had fluid in it when I got it and it was drooling down the shock. Actually I seem to recall that two of my wagons ended up with that problem. I can't say it's common but I've seen my share.

-Tad

X2. The SLS is arguably the best feature of the wagon over the sedan. Who would buy a Citroen and convert it to standard springs and shocks? I can see someone wanting to convert a sedan to SLS or wanting to add the SLS to the front end as well as the rear end. But eliminate it? Surely only those people who have not experienced it at work would consider the possibility.

As I understand it, what often happens is the spheres (accumulators) fail and fluid displaces the gas inside them. As the fluid won't compress, the spheres no longer act as shock absorbers for the hydraulic struts. So the increased shock and pressure in the struts eventally blows out the seals.
I replaced my spheres, as I didn't want to deal with the hassle and expense of new struts. And I got a used pump, cheap at the Pick-N-Pull, to have as a spare since I understand a new pump is very expensive.
But if I'm forced to make some expensive repairs to the SLS, I would consider a conversion.

A previou post about these cars getting junked is relevant because last year I decided not to buy a cheap, but fairly staight & clean, Euro 230TE with a bad automatic tranny.
I considered swapping in the engine and manual-tranny from my rusty 240D, but with no provision to drive the SLS-pump that was the deal-breaker. The 230TE wound up at the Pick-N-Pull.

Happy Motoring, Mark

When I replaced my rear springs (One was busted) I dropped off the actuators and pumped out the old fluid, cleaned them externally under the rubber boot where crud had built up.

I was worried about them leaking, as there seemed no resistance at all on the plunger/shaft of the devices--like the seals had lost all their grip...

Needn't have worried, they work perfectly and no leakage at all--Guess the pressure seals the seal....

I personally would never change to a standard set-up if humanly possible a good SLS is brilliant!