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Old 01-19-2005, 08:42 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Missouri Ozarks near MountainView MO
Posts: 107
Question Self Leveling rear suspension 1988 560 SEC

I have a 1988 560 MB with the self leveling rear susension system. The previous owner did not take care of it and I may be faced with a total rework ($$$). Is there any reason why the hydropneumatic shocks cannot be simply removed and replaced with , lets say air shocks???. The pneumatic system would be abandoned and an air valve installed for levelling(non-automatic). Ive looked at this thing pretty carefully and I can't see why this wouldn't work. There will be some minor "beefing" and welding to be done. Let me know if any of you have done this short of totally replacing the rear suspension system (actually more money than fixing the existing system, eg the price of the trailing arm, indicated for the non-pneu system is $1480, both sides are needed) Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

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Old 01-20-2005, 07:41 AM
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What problems do you have with suspension??.
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Old 01-20-2005, 11:58 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Missouri Ozarks near MountainView MO
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Thumbs up 560SEL rear suspension

Ozzy: Thanks for your response and interest. The car is not level, the rear is lower than the front and it is tilted slightly to the right (passenger side). Also, it rides very hard in the rear. I just had to replace the radial arm bushings on the front so I am not too surprised that there are problems with the rear suspension. (Chicago car, salt,sand and ashes). I live in Missouri (Ozarks) and recently drove the car to California. It did not "settle down" and start hugging the road the way MBs are supposed to do. Anyway, these are the problems. I havn't been able to get the car up and really check out the system, ie filters, shocks, lines, etc. I was asking this question more in terms of "is it possible to replace only the shocks with a different type" without overhauling/replacing the entire rear suspension system. Thanks Lee
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Old 01-20-2005, 12:30 PM
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Location: Sunny Florida
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A good start is to check the fluid level and see that you are getting circulation when it is running. Then, get under the car while it is running and move the link to the differential up and down, to see if the suspension reacts. Could be you only need the accumulators. These are a regular maintenance item on these cars, and will cause a hard ride as the rear suspension is solid without them. I posted something about replacing mine a long while ago. It is not a huge task, and they cost about $75 USD each side. The fluid is a bit pricey, too, but I can't see where you will spend $1480 as you indicate. That sounds like a lot of money to change over to a lesser system. Mine rides GREAT with the pneumatic rear suspension, I would not trade it for anything.
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1989 560SEL (172k)
1989 325IC (122K)
2004 Suzuki Volusia LE (3500 miles)
2005 Yamaha Road Star (20 K miles)
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Old 01-20-2005, 04:48 PM
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Location: Missouri Ozarks near MountainView MO
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Thumbs up 88 560 SEC self levelling suspension

John: Thanks. When you refer to the accumulators are you referring to the "air cells"? These are shown at Performance Products at $110 each and two are needed. Regarding the $1480, I was told by a "MB Mechanic" that to change out the system to a standard shock or air shock system would require a complete replacement of the springs, shocks and Trailing arms. The trailing arms are $1480 each, one for each side, in the Performance Products catalogue. I only mentioned this as a possibility if the system that is there cannot be reasonably repaired. Somehow the idea of total replacement fails the "common sense test". Thanks again for your reply. Lee

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