w124 500e suspension

Does anyone know if you can eliminate the self-leveling suspension on the king of the e-class 1992 500e? I am due for a new suspension and the dealer price is way off the map. Please help???? Thanks!

[Jim's500E]

Sure you can ...get the P/S pump from, say, a non-SLS 400E and its rear shocks. That'll work.

What is wrong with yours? The N2 cells are pretty cheap but the hydro-struts aren't at 700$+ each. They usually should last a good long time with regular fluid maint. of the system....at least 180K miles. Mine is still happy at 145K. Knock on (burl)wood...

[d2bernhard]

yeah, what's wrong?

I have heard the hydro strutts rarely fail, unless thrashed by blown cells. Cells are about the same as shocks. If you need a rear rebuild of the multilinks, yes that is a big job but same for 400E as 500E as 300E as 300TE -- and I would look for an indie.

My car just rolled 100k. I am going to check the fluid in the rear shocks first before replacing them. I want to put a set of H&R lowering springs on it alond with a set of wheels/tires due to the fact that it needs tires anyway. Been waiting for them to wear out since I got the car to upgrade to 18's or 19's. Hopefully the bouncing rear end issue will go away and not have to cost me too much.

I have also heard there is some web site called 500 extacy, anyone know the exact address?

[lino]

Here is the link you are looking for:

http://www.500ecstasy.com/

[d2bernhard]

Bouncy Rear end means your Cells are shot

I have the cells on order but should I do the hydrolic valve at the same time?

[Jim's500E]

No need to change out a valve at 100K....cell replacement alone with fresh fluid flush should do the trick. I'm betting the hydro shocks are fine.

I have the H&R spring kit for the 500E on my car...it is designed with the SLS in mind and works real well. Fronts shocks definitely need to be upgraded though with the H&Rs.