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  #1  
Old 02-25-2012, 02:41 AM
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300Td saggy diapers

So my 81 300TD wagon has the turn off the key and a while later it looks like it has full diapers syndrome.
Turn it back on and after a minute up it comes again,till with a clack from the right rear it stops.
I realize this is likely a self leveller problem
The fluid is very low and the unit itself shows signs of past/recent leakage
So I plan to do a rebuild and get the O ring kit as well as fluid

My question is:

One opinion I've read says this is definitely a sign of bad springs as well

Another says that it's just the self leveller

Any ideas as to which it actually is

I'm trying to decide on which of my two Mercedes to sell
I'm going to be towing my little sailboat with whichever I keep

If this car needs springs I'd likely sell it even though it goes better and feels firmer all around despite it's rusted out rear hatch etc.
Rear springs seems like a pay someone else to do it job unless you want to kill yourself . generally I do my own work where possible

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  #2  
Old 02-25-2012, 02:45 AM
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a dragging hind end might be your accumulators, they are spheres on both sides of the wagon, when they go funny you get the saggy butt syndrome, they are cheaper to replace, there's a fellow on here who has kits for O rings for the system too. Word to the wise you want to use the appropriate fluid for the system, dont mix and match-
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  #3  
Old 02-25-2012, 02:56 AM
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Thanks I've found the O-ring kit source

Just to clarify it only sags when turned off, not whilst driving,

Could that still be accumulators?

and yes I'll be buying the $27 a #&$#&$ litre Mercedes approved fluid

Last edited by Toxophilite; 02-25-2012 at 03:11 AM.
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  #4  
Old 02-25-2012, 04:11 AM
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yes.
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  #5  
Old 02-25-2012, 07:56 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Toxophilite View Post
Thanks I've found the O-ring kit source

Just to clarify it only sags when turned off, not whilst driving,

Could that still be accumulators?

and yes I'll be buying the $27 a #&$#&$ litre Mercedes approved fluid
Save some money and buy the Febi SLS fluid.
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  #6  
Old 02-25-2012, 09:45 AM
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The hydraulic struts are designed to carry part of the load so a sagging rear end is not an indication of failing springs. This doesn't mean your springs aren't worn, it just means your symptoms are not an indication that they are. If you're going to be towing something, definitely keep the TD. The SLS is the cat's meow when it comes to towing since it will automatically keep the car level no matter what the tongue load (within reason).
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
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1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
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1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13
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  #7  
Old 02-25-2012, 10:31 AM
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The springs and SLS work together at all times. When the springs get tired the SLS works a little harder to keep the rear level and you'll loose a little bit of the nice Mercedes ride. Bad accumulators most often show up as a really bouncy ride or a really harsh ride and don't often change the ride height much. Though a few people have experienced a bit of a ride height change when they replaced the accumulators. A saggy rear when sitting is most definitely a leaking valve. The valve typically, but not always, leak internally so you won't see any fluid dripping out. The reason the rear sags is because the o-rings in the valve allow fluid to pass by when sitting which allows the rear to drop. But when the car is started the pressure is built up again and the rear will lift up.

New springs will prevent the car from sagging as much because new springs will hold the rear up a little higher than old tired springs. Unless you have a bad ride or the rear is sagging VERY low I'd say your springs are fine.
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  #8  
Old 02-25-2012, 12:41 PM
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agreed.

also, IF springs are determined to be needed, they are a VERY simple job in the rear of the vehicle.
no spring compressor is needed, just a few jack stands, and a good floor jack, and a few wrenches.
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  #9  
Old 02-25-2012, 01:56 PM
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Hi all
Thanks for the input
I waas looking into Febi fluid
I can only seem to find it in 20litres buckets
One place sells them for $113 another sells it bur $47
Howevere as you know that's 15 litres more than I likely need and I can only drink so much of this stuff

Anybody know of a source for smaller amounts...north of the border?
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  #10  
Old 02-26-2012, 01:19 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Toxophilite View Post
I waas looking into Febi fluid
I can only seem to find it in 20litres buckets
Anybody know of a source for smaller amounts...north of the border?
Tell whoever told you its only available in 20 litre buckets to yank their head out of their posterior.

Any *real* import parts dealer that carries parts for Mercedes or VW in stock should have the fluid available in litre containers, on the shelf. I don't remember exactly what it cost me last time I purchased a few litres but it's not unreasonable.

It sounds to me like you just called some random parts dealer. Places like that will only quote on gross (like cases or containers) as they don't want to order in a container or case, sell part of it, then have to keep the stock on the shelf afterwards.

By the way, it would help if you would let us know where you are, in terms of city or region ( "north of the border" isn't very helpful).
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  #11  
Old 02-26-2012, 02:44 AM
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Hmmm
Well,
Actually I called 5 different reputable places including mercedes
I always call a few places to compare pricing
In this instance the Mercedes price was 6 times more per litre than the most expensive place and about 12 times more expensive than the cheapest place.
I can get 20 litres for less than the price of 2 from Mercedes!!!

All of the places when queried said they only had it available in 20 litre pails. One was going to look into finding smaller amounts. They didn't say it was only available that way, just to the best of their knowledge. It would be tedious to call them all and tell them to "yank their heads out of their posteriors"
I asked some of them where I might get it in smaller quantities and they suggested some local heavy equipment maintenance shops.

Sometimes these places have parts cheaper than mercedes and sometimes not. I've been using them for my previous 300D and other automobiles for years. It's true I didn't call any 'real' import places other than mercedes.

Then I put an ad on the local craigslist looking for other TD owners to share a pail
I got two responses one of which told me a couple places reasonably close by who supposedly had it by the litre (didn't say how much)

I'm in Vancouver BC Canada , hopefully that's helpful enough for you
Thanks
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  #12  
Old 02-26-2012, 09:54 AM
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THF (Tractor Hydraulic Fluid) in SLS?
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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
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  #13  
Old 02-26-2012, 09:54 AM
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Febi Hydro Oil
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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
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  #14  
Old 02-26-2012, 09:56 AM
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Amazon.com: Febi Power Steering Fluid: Automotive
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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
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  #15  
Old 02-26-2012, 09:57 AM
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☺ MERCEDES BENZ 300TE 300TD 4-Matic ZH-M HYDRAULIC FLUID FEBI 026 | eBay

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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
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