Is there an aftermarket Hyd. Oil for the rear suspension?

I just did a search last week and found that many recommend the MB stuff. Not having quick access and needing some NOW I bought some Shell Aero oil to use. I got 80 weight and it is definately thicker than the MB product, so I'd recommend a thinner grade oil. Beyond that, I'm still working out. Let me know what you find!

Chuck

__________________
1983 300td 240k (down with bad tranny)
1984 300d 222k (daily driver) "Olive"
1997 GMC K2500 105k (sled dog limo)

"The scenery in ANWR is as spectacular as the Grand Canyon and the wildlife is more impressive."

R Leo posted about buying some from Tractor Supply. He on vacation right now so you'll have to search for it.

__________________
Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

Why in God's good name would you buy hyd. oil at Tractor Supply? I buy stuff for my tractor there and about all I have ever seen them carry in the oil dept. is in 5 gal. drums. Any parts store has a better selection of oil than Tractor Supply.

I doubt that there is anything special about MB hyd. oil, esp. for older MBs. They may require some special syn. oil for the new cars but basically a differential is a set of hypoid gears and any good name brand of gear oil will do. I doubt that you need 80-140 weight oil unless you have high miles, but any oil designed for normal cars ought to work.

He's talking about the self leveling suspension, not the differential.

__________________
Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

Its a mineral oil based hydraulic oil. Don't use petroleum based oils or risk seal failures. But only a bonehead would do this (glad there are no mirrors around!)

__________________
1983 300td 240k (down with bad tranny)
1984 300d 222k (daily driver) "Olive"
1997 GMC K2500 105k (sled dog limo)

"The scenery in ANWR is as spectacular as the Grand Canyon and the wildlife is more impressive."

This is the oil my cheap Benz parts supplier sells me here in Australia.......I'm told it's the same as the (?)MB# 000 989 91 03 at 1/4 the price
If you can find it in the US it would be safer than other alternatives.........the rear hydraulic struts are very expensive and I understand have to be replaced if they start to leak

Attached Thumbnails

 

Wal-Mart sell's hydrolic fluid.

__________________
'10 Chrysler T&C Stow-N-Go White. Grandpa's ride.

'13 Chrysler 200 Touring Candy Red. Grandma's ride.

Age and cunning will always over come youth and vigor.

oldnavy-

MINERAL (not petrolium) oil based hydraulic fluid?

__________________
1983 300td 240k (down with bad tranny)
1984 300d 222k (daily driver) "Olive"
1997 GMC K2500 105k (sled dog limo)

"The scenery in ANWR is as spectacular as the Grand Canyon and the wildlife is more impressive."

When I had a BMW 750i, the BMW nuts insisted that I could only use BMW oil. For my 560SEL, the Benz nuts swore that only MBZ hydraulic fluid would work. Same story for my W124 300TD.

I smell marketing (and I should know). Parts are a very lucrative business for manufacturers. There's got to be a generic alternative out there. Tractor supply shops might sell this vaunted mineral based oil too, for example.

__________________
Thx/Reno
An American in France
88 300TD 5spd Sportline (lowered factory susp) - totalled by a flying deer
89 Range Rover V8 - the 4wd beast
02 Toyota minivan
05 Peugeot Partner 4x4 Dangel
88 International Harvestor 633SA
--Gone but not forgotten:
1970 250/8 C (sold to buy 450 SLC)
1972 450 SLC (sold after battling wiring harness problems too long)
1971 300 SEL 6.3 (sold after destroying two *very* expensive rear LS diffs)
1986 560 SEL (now my little brother's pride and joy)

I know you 'Oil Burners' won't listen to an 'Gasser'..........but at least I drive a w123 (1978 280CE with self levelling suspension)

Found the Febi Hydraulic fluid on Fastlane at $10.30 / litre(delivers in 2 days).........why would you risk a $US342(Fastlane)(closer to $A1000 from MB in Oz) Hydropneumatic shock absorber............only takes 2=>3 litres for a flush & replacement

Link to hydraulic fluids on Fastlane

No problem, mate, I'm a gasser too. I even own a (gasp) Toyoter minivan (the shame, the ignominy, the horror ...)

And who could argue with your logic that paying the high price for a few liters of fluid beats getting reamed for two new struts (if you replace just one then left/right damping will be unbalanced).

I just don't like getting marketing something in a fancy label that can be had beaucoup cheaper in a normal label. Call me cheap. I didn't get to be able to own these great vehicles by wasting dollars or euros.

__________________
Thx/Reno
An American in France
88 300TD 5spd Sportline (lowered factory susp) - totalled by a flying deer
89 Range Rover V8 - the 4wd beast
02 Toyota minivan
05 Peugeot Partner 4x4 Dangel
88 International Harvestor 633SA
--Gone but not forgotten:
1970 250/8 C (sold to buy 450 SLC)
1972 450 SLC (sold after battling wiring harness problems too long)
1971 300 SEL 6.3 (sold after destroying two *very* expensive rear LS diffs)
1986 560 SEL (now my little brother's pride and joy)

I am confused...
I thought the major classifications of stuff was:
1. animal
2. mineral
3. vegetable

What mineral is used to make this type oil ?
as compared to petroleum... made up of crushed and heated plants from 'bogs'.... ?

( just for the record I am aware of one theory which says oil comes from deep in the earth through fissures and is sorta distilled natural gas ... or something to that effect )

It is amazing how much that plastic liter container looks like the MB one with different writing on the side... looks like a good bet to be a worthy replacement...

Wish some rubber seals/fluid pro would speak up ... do we have any professional engineers in this field on the forum ?

When I looked for this fluid it was $16 at dealer and $12 from a local MB mechanic ( not MINE, I am Mine...LOL)...

I found an acceptable substitute hydraulic fluid at O' Riley's. FWIW, It actually stopped the leaks in Thing One's leveling struts.

__________________
Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

I saw that seal a leak stuff at O'Riley's and though about trying it in my leaking power stearing. The box is leaking just enough to be annoying.

__________________
'10 Chrysler T&C Stow-N-Go White. Grandpa's ride.

'13 Chrysler 200 Touring Candy Red. Grandma's ride.

Age and cunning will always over come youth and vigor.