I just bought an 85 300TD wagon , and was told the rear shocks were isolated and filled with mineral oil ,,,

I would like to know what this means for my ride? when I need to replace? should I replace ? this is my FIRST MB ,,and dont have a clue as to the shocks

Do a search on SLS or hydropneumatic suspension. The are pressurized via a hydraulic pump off the head of the engine. There is a reservoir under the hood. The 'shock' is essentially a hydraulic cylinder with the shock absorption provided by an 'accumulator'. It is one of the best features of the wagon.

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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 think he is saying that the rear suspension was disconnected (isolated?) from the hydraulic pump and just filled with an oil so that it would act somewhat like a regular shock abbsorber. Maybe because of a problem with the pump?

Either way, if the rear end is not overly bouncy or a harsh ride, I would leave it as is until problems start to arise. By then, though, you might have to replace the rear cylinders (shocks) with new ones and get the pump working. Unless there's a way to get a regular shock absorber to fit in there.

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1985 300TD-euro 352,000 mi
1974 240D (1?)52,000 mi - has a new home now

yes,, the rears are disconnected ,,, not even sure if the fronts do work.

I did price the shocks,, WOW ,,, not even counting dealer labor.

How easy/hard is it to convert to air shocks / regular shocks?

Someone recently posted a source for the 'shocks' at about $290. Most people do not like the idea of replacing the shocks with anything other than the same system. How have your shocks been disconnected? I don't think there'd be much shock action without the accumulators in the system. You need to investigate what has been done to your system before making any decisions. It might be good to find a complete system at a junkyard if yours is non-existent.

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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

so , noone has ever switched to air / normal shocks?

Not successfully.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

I think somewhere in the forum you can find someone who did it. Nobody was impressed with it as I recall.

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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 was thinking that was forum member "Big Red." A search only produced one tire-related post but I recall that he was rather vocal about using homemade spring compressors and a supposedly successful conversion to normal shocks on the back of a TD. Must have been lost in the crash...

Member Leathermang has a TD parts car that has had the rear suspension rather crudely converted to shocks. The car was wrecked when he acquired it and no judgement could be made on the ride or handling.

My feeling is that after you figure in the time and money spent fabricating and modifying the wagon to accomodate some other shock, you could have purchased the necessary components and had a properly functioning system.

__________________
Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

FIX the SLS DO NOT convert to shocks. Check car-part.com for whatever you need if there is not a local yard with SLS parts.

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

A friend of mine has a TD that's been converted to air shocks (so says the p.o., anyway). I keep meaning to have a look and go for a ride to judge for myself. If/when I do, I'll post my thoughts and see if I can get any pics of the conversion.

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

how much nicer of a ride do the hydro shocks, give u?

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82' 300SD

I can't tell much difference between the ride on my sedan and wagon. But what the SLS does is provide a way of adapting to varying loads.

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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

since this is my first MB ,, I have nothing to compare to ,,, the ride is bouncy ,, but I know they are isolated. Bought a HAYNES book , says only the rears are part of that leveling system? true or not ?

If true ,, then this is the worst ride I will get with it ,,,which isnt real bad ,, and maybe replaceing the fronts will help, ( cant hurt ) ,, but what are in the fronts? stuts?

ok, that would make sense,haha

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82' 300SD