My friend and I are attempting to replace her suspension on her 1980 300TD diesel wagon with the self leveling system on it. Is there a way to get around the self leveling. In looking at the Shock Absorber; Rear Left/Right; SuperTouring/OE Version; Hydropneumatic Self-Leveling, we have found out that it is very $$ to replace.
http://www.***************/search/productx.aspx?sid=j5cktu451xchw5z3wgfg5ljb&makeid=800016@Mercedes&modelid=1194296@300TD&year=1980&cid=27@Suspension%20System&gid=7556@Shock%20Absorber
Is there a way to replace it with normal rear shocks, or are we stuck with purchasing the Hydropneumatic self leveling shock.

Secondly, do we need to purchase bushings when we replace the system. The last time I did a suspension upgrade it was on my 98 Jetta TDI.

Thanks Michael

There's a pretty widespread belief on this board that the hydropneumatic suspension on the wagon is an excellent system and no retrofit can equal the performance of the original.

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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

I have been reading the same thing, but the over all cost of both the sls shocks are going to be running us about $600 in parts. Isn't there another way to replace them with out costing us an arm and a leg. She only paid $1000 for the car.

$1000 is a very good price for a wagon so the $600 seems like a very good investment unless the thing is a rustbucket or the engine is about to give out. You might try used parts. What's the problem with it? Are you sure it needs new shocks?

__________________
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

The "shocks" are actually nitrogen filled spheres. These are what does the dampening - about $90-$120 apiece. Unless the struts (look like shocks) are leaking, they are probably ok. If the the car sags in the rear, it is the little valve body that can be rebuilt for about $50. I don't know how much a new (used) hydraulic pump costs though. I just finished putting the spheres, sway bar connectors and valve body rebuild on mine and it drives super now! The money was well worth the $'s. If you rebuild the valve body, make sure to take digital pictures along the way as to not put it back together wrong.

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Brad
1981 300TD - daily driver
1963 Chevy II
2001 F-250 7.3 Power Stroke

I couldn't have said it any better. The struts (aka shocks) seldom fail, and if they do it is almost always a leak. You need to replace the accumulators (spheres), fill the system and see where you are.
Do a lot of reading here via the search function, and you will know what to do. Any further questions just keep asking. Parts can be had on ebay, or from folks here on the forum from time to time.
A properly working SLS on these wagons is an excellent feature. Repair it and enjoy......

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

If ever you decide to get rid of the SLS, I call dibs on the SLS pump.

aslong as the pump is good, everything else is pretty cheap- except maybe the struts, which apparently last a log time. if the pump has been run dry, there is a chance that it was ruined. other than that, check it over, do some reading, and enjoy the sls, it is great- I use my td as a work truck, hauling carpentery tools, materials around, and love being able to load 5-700lbs in the back and still ride nice and level.

__________________
1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven.

1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.

I'm all for doing the job right the first time. Looks like I'm going to have to talk her into purchasing the nitrogen filled spheres shocks. Does anyone know where I can get some for cheap.

i'll take the wagon from her arms if she wants to get of it.

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Aquilae non capunt muscas! (Eagles don't hunt flies!)


1979 300SD Black/Black MBtex239000mi
1983 300TD euro-NA. White/Olive Cloth-MBtex 201000mi. Fleet car of the USA embassy in Morocco
1983 240D Labrador Blue/Blue MBtex 161000mi

I asked the same questions a few years ago to fix my wifes '84 wagon. There just isn't any DOMESTIC mercedes cars that you could use to adapt STANDARD rear suspension to the wagon.
I disagree about just the spheres being the dampening. They are "pressure bladders" with a nitrogen charge on one side and hydraulic charge on the other.

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My Truck.. 2007 DODGE, 5.9 Cummins, 6spd stick, 4X4. My car..1977 240D, OTHER WHEELS...1955 VW Oval window bug, European Delivery (Holland) with a 1700cc, 2 barrel, Porsche drum brakes. 1939 WILLYS Pick-up. 1967 Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub. 1976 Honda 550F 4cyl Motor Cycle.

Your ******** Ariz. is a cheap as anybody.

http://www.***************/search/productx.aspx?sid=ngh4c0i5n5ztza2ymcmvyaav&makeid=800016@Mercedes&modelid=1194296@300TD&year=1980&cid=27@Suspension%20System&gid=7554@Self-Leveling%20Accumulator%20Sphere/Air%20Cell

Sometimes if you call Phil here at Fastlane, he can get the parts for cheaper prices than in the online catalogue.....

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

I am replacing one of the rear shocks in my 1984 tdt wagon. It is leaking so I'm assuming it has gone bad. I can't really figure how to get it out. I have located the allen bolt at the top and the two 17mm bolts at the bottom but I can't quite figure how to get the hyd. line out working around the spring. I have supported the rear end well with blocks so it won't drop on my soft head when everything comes loose.

Is the spring extended as far as possible to get the greatest distance between coils?

__________________
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

I have some for sale...here and I do have to say, as a double wagon owner keep the SLS.