The autobody shop is offering to replace the shocks for me since the self-leveling ones are almost shot, but what after market shocks fit a 1980 300TD (123 chassis obviously)? I know Koni 30 1020 does but they are not sold in my area and I want something with a better ride.

I do NOT want to keep the self leveling system.

I HAVE to order the parts today for next day delivery if ANY will work please tell me! The autoshop closes for holidays friday so I have to get it done before then or pay a bunch for mechanic downtown to do it.

What aftermarket non-self leveling shocks will fit a 1980 300TD with self leveling? I want 100% you are positive info, not "overheard this will work"

Thanks!

Tony

First, go to the Bilstein Shocks website. WWW.Bilstein.com. They have a "fit" guide that tells what W123 chassis their particular shocks will fit. I recently viewed the site and they listed 300TD's on it.

I bought my shocks at www.thebenzbin.com. I have ordered from them several times with no problems. Good prices and they offer overnight delivery. Their staff is knowledgeable about benz parts also.

The best to you.

Blair

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Blair
1983 300D-T
Black

Tony,
Has this mechanic told you he can do this, or is he willing to try it if you can give him the parts?

As best I understand it, you can't just replace the hydraulic shocks with aftermarket. The self-levelling system acts as both spring and shock. You'd be replacing only the shock function, and the car would not behave properly, at the least sagging in the rear, maybe worse. I doubt you could carry any weight back there. Think about taking the springs out of a car. The shocks dampen the movement, but they don't provide support.

I am not a purist. I have read tons on this subject, and there is no aftermarket substitution for this, unless you want to do some major fabrication.

Use the search function. Plug in self-levelling and read the threads. It is cheaper for you to repair the hydraulic system than to replace it. That's the conclusion of most of the reports here and elsewhere.

If someone has replaced the hydraulic rear suspension, they haven't told.

Good luck,

Peter

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Peter
1985 300TD 4-speed 212K
1992 400E 343K
2001 E320 72K

No I have springs on my rear suspension, I have the hydraulic self leveling system, and my current shocks are leaking. I CANNOT afford to fix them at 210 bucks per shock, but I CAN afford to replace them with aftermarket IF it works.

You have springs, we all do; they are just not sufficient to sustain the full weight of the rear. The suspension is designed for the hydraulics to hold up the rear end; the springs ain't got enough spring in them to do it by themselves.

Those hydraulic shocks are ridiculously expensive, so if you can figure out a way around them, many MBers will love you. But I don't have high hopes, sorry.

Find some used ones in a junkyard, you might get em cheap if you yank them out yourself. Or get your bodyshop to hunt around and find them.

Best of luck

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Peter
1985 300TD 4-speed 212K
1992 400E 343K
2001 E320 72K

Tony,

Two things to consider:

1) A shop that claims they can convert your car but doesn't know what replacement shocks to use probably hasn't done this before. I wouldn't want someone to experiment on my car.

2) Maybe someone more familiar with the rear suspension in MB wagons should confirm the diagnosis that you need new struts and not spheres or a leveling valve or pump or...

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

Sixto,
If they are leaking, the struts are probably bad; that is usually the test, as I understand it.

You are right in suggesting that that may not be the entire problem...

I empathize with you, Tony, I have a failed system too, but not my struts and not my accumulators, as I have decent height, and decent ride, no leaks, but no levelling. Pump ($$$) or valve rebuild (less $$$).

I'm sure many others have been here before as well. The cost of owning a well-built machine

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Peter
1985 300TD 4-speed 212K
1992 400E 343K
2001 E320 72K

You need the shocks and springs from a sedan, because like the others said, the springs that are on there aren't designed for the weight of the car.


You might want to look into getting a 2nd opinion, sounds like these folks aren't to sure what they're talking about.

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2005 Audi A4 1.8T CVT -Silver/Black "Siegfried"

1982 300D - Silver/Blue "Ralph" -For Sale:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-cars-sale/119226-1982-300d-sale.html#post852260

1989 VW Diesel Jetta Blue/Blue "Bodo" RIP

The Koni website says that the 30-1020 is not for models with self-leveling suspension.

Capt Kirk makes an excellent point of trying sedan parts. I don't think the conversion would carry such a stigma of difficulty if it were that easy.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

Turns out I didn't know what I thought I knew.

Bleh. The system doesn't need new shocks that badly, they work, but they are leaking fluid, so replacing the accumulators is only a temporary solution as the system will be dead again in a year or so.

I have to do that tho cause I dont have the money for new shocks.

Tony