"new" car 123 wagon questions - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rick surgent · #1 12-17-2009, 06:24 AM

Well impulse got the better of me again...in a good way. I bought a 300td that was a rust free New Mexico car with some accident damage...it needs driver side doors and front fender and a respray of that side...interior with the exception of the dash is very nice, non faded blue ( window tinting must have saved it).
Now for the questions...first how do I test the SLS system/ She doesnt seem to be sitting to low, but she is soft and springy. I drove it from Detroit to NJ yesterday and she tracks straight and corners ok, but the rear does seem 'squishey'. Second, when I first test drove the car she seemed to be the quickest 123 Ive driven...plus a non smoker (we can remedy that a little)...once I got on the highway I realized why...3000 rpm = 65mph..seems to be geared a bit low compared to my sd...what gear ratios did these (1984 td) come with. i couldnt help but think about the thread from last week with the 700r4 conversion while driving all the way home.
On a side not..I spoke to the peson manufacturing the adapter plate for that conversion...he mentioned that the chevy torgue converter ha s some king of different design over the old benz's that give about a 1.5 to 1 torque multiplication...which he claims makes up for the higher first gear...also claimed that the lock up overdrive made a world of difference on long flat hiways (mostly the type of driving I do). Any thought appreciated.

ImBroke · #2 12-17-2009, 07:19 AM

Your rpm's sound correct. congrats on the new wagon. To do an impromptu test on the SLS, start the car, open the tailgate, have three people get in the back, and see if it pumps itself back up to level. It's an easy test. I believe your gears are 3.07 ish. the 85 is 2.88

rick surgent · #3 12-17-2009, 07:26 AM

Thanks

StaggerLee · #4 12-17-2009, 10:38 AM

The squishy feel could be coming from the actuators (shocks). They are usually what goes bad. If not, Andrew has the rebuild kits for the valve.

JimmyL · #5 12-17-2009, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StaggerLee

The squishy feel could be coming from the actuators (shocks). They are usually what goes bad. If not, Andrew has the rebuild kits for the valve.

Not "actuators", but "accumulators". Also known as "spheres". The things in a wagon that resemble shocks are "struts" and the only known failure I've heard from them is leaking.
BTW, if the rear is either harsh and bouncy or soft and "floaty" then it is almost always the accumulators.
Expect to replace a blown high pressure hose up in front of the engine bay once you replace the accumulators and get the system working again. That has happened on all 3 of my wagons....
So, pics??

StaggerLee · #6 12-17-2009, 11:07 AM

Thank you Jimmy! You are correct. My coffee is still brewing.

At least they both started with AC

dadette123 · #7 12-17-2009, 11:34 AM

Remove an accumulator (or Jimmysphere) to test. Stick the eraser-end of a pencil in the sphere. If it only goes in a bit and then meets resistance then it's okay. If the pencil goes almost all the way in, it's a bad sphere. Replace both accumulators. As Jimmy said, it's almost always the accumulators and not the struts.

Biodiesel300TD · #8 12-17-2009, 12:09 PM

If the rear sags when sitting for a while then you have a leak in the SLS system. The most common leak is the SLS valve which can be resealed. It can visibly leak or it can leak internally. I have and o-ring kit for sealing the valve. If the rear lifts when loaded and the engine is running then the pump is working. If it doesn't lift then the pump is bad. Bouncy or harsh riding in the rear is bad accumulators. There is one on each side. They are easy to replace but not too cheap.

mobetta · #9 12-17-2009, 12:19 PM

84 should be a 3.07 ratio.

rick surgent · #10 12-17-2009, 06:24 PM

Thanks guys..pics of current state and repaired to follow.

any one have any experience with salvage titles in NJ??

JimmyL · #11 12-18-2009, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadette123

Remove an accumulator (or Jimmysphere) to test. Stick the eraser-end of a pencil in the sphere. If it only goes in a bit and then meets resistance then it's okay. If the pencil goes almost all the way in, it's a bad sphere. Replace both accumulators. As Jimmy said, it's almost always the accumulators and not the struts.

Jimmysphere!!

Now that made me laugh Rocky. Sure glad you found this forum.

Having owned your wagon since brand new in '82 sure does give you allot of valuable insight that we can benefit from.
Showing up to gtg's with a complete wagon load of parts might make you popular too. Kind of the old Mercedes version of tying a steak around your neck so the dog will play with you!!