Seems there have been a few threads on this topic lately, but I need specific help troubleshooting this one.

Culprit: 84 300TD

A while ago, I was having trouble with SLS ride height so I replaced the SLS accumulators. The pictorial I created while doing this can be found here:
(Pictorial: Replacing SLS Accumulators on 300TD Wagon)

I was extremely pleased with the results and everything seemed to be smooth until last night when I noticed that the rear was sagging. I then started the vehicle to see if the SLS would being the height back up but it didn't. Not even a budge.

Don't know if this is related, but the other night when I took a corner, I heard a fairly loud twang sound that sounded like a large spring had just released a large load.

Anyways, this morning I tested to see if the pump was functioning by detaching the return line into the reservoir, and it is. This is a mess by the way. I had a steady stream coming out telling me that the pump is at least functioning (how well, I don't know).

I then moved to the rear. The Z links seem to be good, the struts are not leaking (one is a little wet, but not bad), the sway bar is fine, and the accumulators are perfect.

I then took a look at the SLS valve, disconnected the linkage, and noticed that the arm that connects to the valve was loose and would have been able to move around. I then tightened it, started the engine and began trying to test the operation of the valve by moving the arm up and down but I got no results. it doesn't seem to function.

Alright, my question is: Did I miss anything, or does it seem like I may have blown the seals on the SLS valve?

I imagine that is the arm on the SLS was allowed to slide around, it may have eventually worked the valve position to the point where it was always under pressure and finally blown. This may have been the sound that I heard last night. ANyone agree/disagree?

Also, I know that there's a member on the forum that sells seal kits for this. I'll be ordering one ASAP/ Anyone have good luck using these?

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84 300td (Yes, a wagon)
"The Golden Dragon"
195k, 2nd owner
Lives in Redmond, WA

Hi
Look for leaks and anything missing or broken. A lot of rubber can go bad in the rear. Are the connecting rod plastic pieces intact?

I resealed my SLS valve using the O-Ring kit mentioned and it worked fine for me.

Good Luck,
Joseph

I'm going to take a stab at this one as I have been reading a lot about this system lately . If the control lever was loose on the rod coming out of the SLS valve you need to take the valve apart to reset it to the right position .You can see then if you blew an o-ring inside the valve . The popping noise could have been the pressure relief valve in the SLS valve letting loose or....maybe a diaphragm letting go on one or both of your new accumulators . There was a thread on here somewhere that a person had that happen when their linkage came loose. Bummer . Did you happen to notice a drop of fluid in the tank ? With any luck the pressure relief valve let off excess pressure and then the cam in the valve went out of position at the same time because it wasn't tight on the lever so now it wont fill . How did you set your ride height when you replaced the accumulators ? Spike .

If the lever arm on the valve was loose on the shaft that goes through body of the valve, you lost the ability for the rear end to control what goes on in the valve. You'll have to remove the valve and reposition the lever arm(3a in the diagram) and the cam(3c).

If you need a seal kit let me know.

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