Hydraulic Fluid Substitute for self-leveling suspension? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

leathermang · #16 04-28-2002, 01:55 PM

MR, yes,, your statement about not all hydraulic fluids being the same is what I was trying to say.... some can cause specific types of rubber or plastic seals to GO AWAY .... I am glad you found several to choose from and that it was not my reading that was lacking... I own the factory shop manuals and the Haynes... but not the Chilton.... Greg

MR, after re reading your post,,, are these all direct substitutes for the hyd fluid for the wagon ? I am not familiar with any of them...or are you saying they list four liquids total... one brake,one hyd, one trans, etc ?.... Greg

michael rybikowsky · #17 04-28-2002, 02:04 PM

Yes I am still rideing the ural.I rode it in a parade a while ago.I love the crazy thing.I also Love My Moto Guzzi.Best regards Michael.

benchracer · #18 04-28-2002, 02:12 PM

Michael,

What year/model Guzzi do you have? I've been looking at Guzzi sportbikes lately. I've got a little Honda CBR 600 that's pretty damn quick(0-60 in 3.4 seconds), but I really like those new Guzzis, like the V11. I've seen the Ural before, but only at the annual m/c show in the L.A. area. Never seen one on the road.

michael rybikowsky · #19 04-28-2002, 02:13 PM

Greg sorry I didn,t make myself clear.The question was only about the suspension.So my answer was only about the suspension.Best regards Michael.P.S.I had no problem getting the shell aero fluid.

michael rybikowsky · #20 04-28-2002, 02:16 PM

Dave I have had about seven Guzzis over the years.The present one is a 95 calif 1100.Carb.That wasalmost the last year one could get them with carbs, which I wanted.That way I could easily set the carbs up the way they should have been,and run away from the injected bikes which it does,

benchracer · #21 04-28-2002, 02:37 PM

Well I've looked throughout the L.A. area for a shop that sells any of the products posted by Mr. Rybikowsky to no avail. The auto parts stores that are open today do not carry any hydro fluids. Guess I'll postpone my departure until morning, and go to the M.B. dealer since they're close to me. I hate giving them my business as they act as if they're doing me a favor. I will look for these alternative fluids when I return, looks as if it's time for me to go over the self-leveling system looking for leaks. The P.O. told me he had the system "re-built" recently, although he seemed to know nothing about cars, so I'm sure he had no idea of what was really done.

Michael, how about driving those shaft driven beasts? Do you get the lift and drop that I've heard about on shaft driven bikes. My bikes have all been chain drive.

michael rybikowsky · #22 04-28-2002, 03:26 PM

Dave if there is a small airport near you they probley have the shell Aero fluid.As far as shaft drive.I have owned bikes for over fifty years I have raced both track and dirt.I managed two motorcycle dealerships.First many much smaller japenese bikes will be faster than the Guzzi.But that is only one facet.As far as noticing driveshaft jacking I do not.Test drive one and decide for yourself.Guzzis are for the long run.It is not unusual for one to hane way more than one hundred thousand miles on it and not to have needed any major work.As for the Ural they are a toy a conversation peice just for fun.They are a rolling antique,with all that entails.

lrg · #23 04-29-2002, 12:15 PM

The oil used in the MBZ system is a mineral based oil that is basically the same as the oil used in Rolls Royce and Citroen suspension systems. Using any kind of petrolium based oil or brake fluid will destroy your seals throughout the system! For the Citroens at least you used to be able to find various brands of fluid at a good foreign oriented parts store. The container usually had some form of green label which was the "code" for the mineral based oil. I know I have seem a Castrol version of this in a small plactic bottle at some Beck Arnley stores in Southern California. And yes, it is far more expensive than most other oils. I absolutely would NOT use anything other than a mineral based oil in these systems even if only temporarily. It won't take much to kill all your seals.

#24 04-29-2002, 03:48 PM

There's a little dip stick in there?? I guess I should check mine.

cayoung144 · #25 03-25-2011, 10:13 AM

Suggest any and all visit Wikipedia to learn how to properly care for and understand this suspension and the correct fluids to use to keep the system operating properly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydropneumatic_suspension

vstech · #26 03-25-2011, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cayoung144

Suggest any and all visit Wikipedia to learn how to properly care for and understand this suspension and the correct fluids to use to keep the system operating properly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydropneumatic_suspension

interesting article on the citroen system...
lots of specific info on the MB system on our site too!

strelnik · #27 03-25-2011, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benchracer

Just a hypothetical situation here. Say you hadn't checked the fluid level on a self-leveling rear-end for quite a while. Not that any of us on this board would neglect a maintenance item. But let's say when you did check it, you noticed it was really low - like barely touching the little dipstick. And to continue the hypothetical situation... Let's say you were planning on driving your 1982 300TD on a long trip, and you were planning on leaving Sunday, when no Mercedes shops are open, so you couldn't buy the recommended fluid, and it's already Saturday night. Could you add brake fluid or some other type of hydraulic fluid that you could buy at Pep Boys or some place that is open on Sundays? Again, keep in mind that no one would be lazy enough to neglect a system that should be checked on a regular basis, especially a system that is expensive to repair/replace, but I just wanted to know in case I ever run into some idiot who might possibly be in such a situation.

Hyken Glacial Blue by Kendall is still around 8.50 a GALLON and cannot hurt the system. The only difference between Hykenn and the mil spec one is that it failed the test for fast flow at - 100 F. So if you live in Siberia, you got problems, everywhere else, should be ok.

I have it in my Citroens and it is excellent even at -20 going down the road at 50 mph.

Available where ever they sell forklifts.

Orv · #28 03-25-2011, 02:40 PM

This is useful info. I have a system in unknown condition that's been run dry, looking at testing it to see whether to salvage it or strip it out and put in conventional suspension. Needless to say the idea of putting in a bunch of fluid at $14/quart and likely watching it all come right back out onto the driveway does not have me keen on going forward with testing the existing stuff. I was wondering about using something else for testing and then flushing and putting the good stuff in if I decide to salvage the system.

Orv · #29 04-09-2011, 07:43 PM

Anyone know if Pentosin is an acceptable substitute? It's not any cheaper but it is much easier to come by around here. My friend's Audi used the stuff (and went through it like a football player goes through Gatorade, but that's another topic.)

Orv · #30 05-24-2011, 12:33 PM

All right, figured out my system is OK and not leaking notably. My owner's manual lists Aeroshell 4 as an acceptable fluid, so I'm going to see if I can get some of that locally from an FBO. Should be cheaper than buying Febi fluid and getting it shipped, even with the huge markup on aviation supplies.

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