Today, I replaced both actuators on my 95 E320 wagon. I had a very soft ride and thought that was the problem. Could anyone please tell me if hydraulic fluid should be moving through the reservior when the level valve is closed ???? (where the two holes line up on the lever and valve body) With the link to sway bar disconnected the car will go and down but there seems to be no position where the fluid will stop flowing. Could I need a new valve ???? If the fluid is moving through the reservoir all the time could this be the reason for the soft ride ????

Thanks for any help,
Captain G

1995 E320 Wagon 106K
1989 Porsche Carrera
1971 Porsche 914

I have a new valve, and my self-levelling works fine. I have noticed that there is always some hydraulic fluid pumped through the system, even without any signal from the valve. I would therefore conclude that this is normal. How exactly would you describe a soft ride? Does the car "swim"?Does the back of your car hang down?
Bruno

The ride on the hydraulic suspension cars is very smooth, but you will have very little body roll and very good handling.

If it feels squashy and is sensitive to crosswinds, take a look at the bushings in the links on the rear suspension. I suspect you will find torn rubber and displaced bushing (the steel sleeve must be centered on each link bushing). Typical by this age.

The steel center does not move, it's bolted down tight, and the rubber flexes as the suspension moves. This contributes quite a bit of spring effect, and if enough are bad, the rear suspension will be soft. Normally sags, but the the level control will keep it at the correct level reguardless of link condition.

Probably a good idea to do all five links on each side -- thrust, torque (usually called control arm stay in the on-line catalogs), camber link, tie rod, and both bushings in the spring link. All but the latter are fairly easy. You will need a four wheel alignment after replacing the tie rod.

Make sure the links for the sway bar are good, too.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Thanks for the reply......... The car seems bounce in the rear on the highway.( I replaced front struts last week) I Just whanted to know if it was normal for fluid to be coming out of the return line in the reservior all the time. Would you know what the normal ride hight is for the rear ???
Captain G

The car should be level - distance from rear tire to fender is the same as front tire to fender, at least with my car. Also, the upper line of the side plastic cover is pretty much parallel with respect to the ground. A very bumpy ride could indeed be caused by a broken valve or a broken tandem pump - in my case replacement of the pump helped to cure a bumpy ride and sagging rear.
Regards, Bruno

Maybe I have not stated it clearly - from experience it is normal that hyrdaulic fluid is returned even at horzontal position of the lever bar at the self-levelling valve. Bruno

Many thanks to Bruno and Peter for your help..............
Best Regards,
Captain G