Hello -
I have a 1980 300TD that had the rear hydraulic suspension completely removed before I bought it. Not a trace of the original rear suspension remains. The car currently sits and drives level with new shocks all around and adjuster blocks in the rear springs. However, I am contemplating having the hydro suspension reinstalled and I'm wondering if anyone has done this, had this done and/or has opinions on this idea. The car runs great and is otherwise in decent shape with just a miniscule amount of surface rust.
Thanks for any help.

To be honest with you I would leave it alone. You don't need the SLS system. I know people on this webiste that with argure that it is a great system. From my experience nothing beats standard suspension. I have a 560 SEL with suspension problem and I have spend $$ with no results. I have 84 euro 500 SEL that have reqular shocks that ride and handle much much better. I was not wise enough to get rid of the system before I spend the money trying to fix it on the 560 SEL

Alseim,
Thank you for your reply. Did you remove the SLS on your 84 euro 500 SEL?
I'm thinking that the removal of the SLS is the cause of the considerable handling issues I'm having with my 300TD. This wagon handles very poorly. I installed brand new Bilsteins all the way around but you'd think the shocks were old and worn out. The handling is very bad; makes my Camry feel sporty. I'd like nothing better than to find a solution to this handling problem that doesn't involve spending lots of money to reinstall the SLS but I'm not sure what that solution is. If you did remove the SLS from your 84 euro 500 SEL, did you perform any other modifications to improve its handling?
Thanks again.

You would need to round up all the parts, but installation should be pretty simple. Worst part will be getting the level set properly at the controller.

However, the main reason it's missing may be an engine swap -- on most W123 engines, the hydraulic pump is on the engine, not the PS pump, and getting one with the pump is difficult (not that many wagons sold compared to sedans). If you have the pump attachment plated over, you can go ahead, but otherwise you must find a PS driven pump (it goes on the front on later models, under the pulley).

The parts, unless you happen on one in a junk yard, will be VERY expensive.....

Peter

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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!

I think I wouldn't recommend reinstalling the self-levelling suspension. I have an 89 300te with the hydraulic self leveling system and the car doesn't handle well, even though the SLS was perfectly adjusted. I recently replaced the front struts with Bilsteins and replaced the tie rods and tires, and most importantly, I had the dealer perform an alignment. Nothing worse than taking the car to multiple tire/alignment shops and not getting the job done properly. Suspensions are complex to adjust, and anybody who claims to be able to perform a good alignment on any type of car for $99 is full of BS. A good indy with an alignment rack would have been better, but I'm not aware of any in my location. Now it handles considerably better, but still nothing like my 300E sedan. I occasionally think about removing the entire SLS, but I use my wagon to tow a small ski boat, and load it up all the time with tons of stuff, at which point it's nice to see the rearend level-up. Overall though, I think some decent coil-over shocks would be good enough and a lot less hassle. There's no such thing as just replacing the back shocks. THere's nitrogen canisters and the hydraulic cylinders, everything adding up to $$$ to replace.

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89 300te 222,222
92 300e 190,000

I would definitely NOT reinstall the Self Levelling Suspension. Leave the T as it is right now.

When I had my W123 300TD it gave me so much trouble, I finally asked the dealer to adjust the weight sensor on the rear axle as so the system will level the car ONLY if it was fully loaded.

The W124s T's I have owned did not gave as much trouble as the 123 did, but still, I did not like the system very much, especially in terms of maintenance.

My S 500 L, not being U.S. spec, thankfully has regular shocks all around.

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A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]