My '86 560 SEL is leaking fluid from the left rear side of the car in the spring/shock/accumlator area. In looking at the parts list at Fast Lane it shows a rear shock absorber for the car with the note "except Hydromatic". How can you tell which cars are "hydromatic" and which are not? The hydromatic shock sells for $343 and the regular shock is $83. Nuff said,

__________________
1986 560 SEL (159K miles)

I hate to be the bearer of bad news. Since you have the self-leveling suspension, you need the hydromatic ($$) shocks. On the upside, I understand they last longer, provided you change the fluid routinely.

__________________
Casey Cooper
"From a long line of Mercedes ownership"

'86 300SDL 250K miles (Gone, but not forgotten); best diesel I have ever driven, too bad about the Achilles heel.

'81 240D 370K miles (Sold to my brother after 9 years and 150K miles of reliable driving!)

[Five other Mercedes in family clipped for less length.]