|
|
|
|
|
#1
04-05-2010, 09:32 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
SLS sphere testing
If you have a w123 wagon with the Self Leveling System (aka SLS)you have what are commonly called "spheres" or "accumulators". There are two- one on both sides just forward of the rear wheels. If they "go bad" you have a bouncy ride that is horrible. One side can go bad and you still have a good side, and the ride will be worse than normal but not as bad as when both sides go bad. The ride quality can suddenly go bad, or breakdown over time. If you want to test to see if you spheres are good, here is the procedure:
Remove spheres from car. There will be a bit of pressure in the spheres, so wear safety glasses and watch out for/ prepare for some squirting fluid. Here is a removed sphere:  Remove the banjo bolt from the sphere- Look at this picture: ........ To test and find out if the sphere is good, find a rod that will fit inside the sphere, and see if you can push it down into the sphere. It should make contact with within one inch inside, and then be difficult to continue pushing in. If it is easy to push down the sphere is no good. If it is very hard the sphere is good. Inside is a rubber diaphragm that can and does fail- this is what you are pushing against. Do not use a sharp object to test, and this could puncture the diaphragm.  ......When you re-install a good sphere it is self bleeding, to install and drive happily!
|
|
#2
04-05-2010, 09:43 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
It's probably better to use a different method than the pictured one for disconnecting the sphere from the hoses prior to testing.
__________________
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
|
|
#3
04-05-2010, 10:19 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Its probably worth a mention Do not use engine oil or ATF in the SLS. Using it will destroy the Spheres fast.
Some one else may wish to list the suitable fluids on here.
__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....  1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket. 1980 300D now parts car 800k miles 1984 300D 500k miles  1987 250td 160k miles English import  2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles  1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo. 1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion. Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving
|
|
#4
04-05-2010, 10:43 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
The factory uses Febi mineral oil, which is green.
-Jason
__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket  Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states! Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels. 2014 Cadillac ELR 2013 Fiat 500E. Last edited by compu_85; 04-05-2010 at 10:57 PM.
|
|
#5
04-05-2010, 10:53 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Yup use the MB or Febi stuff
Here is the stuff. Though it comes in a different bottle now. 
__________________
Andrew '04 Jetta TDI Wagon  '82 300TD ~ Winnie ~ Sold '77 300D ~ Sold
|
|
#6
04-06-2010, 07:00 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
 Yes do not cut your lines to attempt testing....I posted this before but could not find it even when I searched- so now I ought to be able to find it with a search of "SLS sphere testing." Please post only SLS related material here.
|
|
#8
09-12-2011, 09:03 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Well I just got a sphere from another member who said he tested it with the rod pushing down method and found it difficult. I received it and it was toast- so I'm sure that the commercial cargo flight which is unpressurized caused the diaphragm to fail. DO NOT SEND THESE AIRMAIL IN CASE THE THEORY HOLDS- ground only to be safe.
|
|
#9
09-13-2011, 01:19 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
The mysterious inards of a SLS accumulator Charlie
__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616... 1) Not much power 2) Even less power 3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast. 80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works
|
|
#10
09-19-2011, 10:08 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
I also got the other sphere and I'm sure now of the unpressurized airplane flights causing issues with otherwise good but used spheres.
|
|
#11
09-19-2011, 10:16 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Would plugging the holes in the spheres stop problems with high altitude plane rides?
__________________
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
|
|
#12
09-20-2011, 02:52 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
I imagine it might if the plug were truly airtight.
I'm a little surprised that a 10 psi reduction is enough to make these fail given the pressures they normally work at.
__________________
1981 Mercedes 300TD, 1994 Honda Civic Del Sol http://mefi.us/images/fuelly/smallsig-us/67195.pnghttp://mefi.us/images/fuelly/smallsig-us/103885.png
|
|
#13
09-20-2011, 08:07 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
|
|
#14
09-20-2011, 08:14 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
I think, if air shipping, the only "sure" method would be to attach a schrader(sp?) valve and put some air in the fluid side.
I think I need some spheres. I have a very level but harsh ride. I thought they were fine until someone mentioned that the backend feels like a "basketball". Bingo! Thats what it feels like. It floats but on sharp bumps its horrible!
__________________
1991 560 SEL / 185k miles 1992 750il / 17k miles - project car
|
|
#15
09-20-2011, 08:24 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
This fluid looks a great deal like Citorenb LHM or LHM +/++ fluid. That can be purchased from bendix cheaply, because it is used in airplane hydraoulics. By cheap, I mean 8.00-10.00 per gallon, so imagine how far that would go!
__________________
Strelnik Invest in America: Buy a Congressman! 1950 170SD 1951 Citroen 11BN 1953 Citroen 11BNF limo 1953 220a project 1959 180D 1960 190D 1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr 1983 240D daily driver 1983 380SL 1990 350SDL daily driver alt 3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5 3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6
|
 |
| Bookmarks |
|
|
Linear Mode
