here is my 95 E320 wagon. 115k odo.

There is 400lbs in the bed. To me, the car looks like its sagging. I was under the impression the load leveling suspension was to prevent this sagging.

the accumulators were recently changed, new oil in the system and a valve put in (not a "new" one) . System was bled of course.

so is what you see normal behavior?


PICT (kinda big)

The linked picture will not open without a passcode. I received a message stating, "You need a username and password to log on to this FTP server." If you PM me, I might be able to help (owner of '94 and '99 E320 wagons).

On my 92 TE there’s a linkage that goes from the level control unit to I think the torsion bar lever that can be adjusted..

When I put one of those cargo baskets in the receiver for the trailer hitch and loaded it with an empty tool chest I was bring to my father in law the rear of the vehicle sat to low. I adjusted the linkage, made it shorter, to raise the rear end so vehicle would be level. When I came back from bringing him chest I set linkage length back to where it was.

oops sorry. i fixed the link. you should be able to see it now.

bump

the linkage for the leveling of the rear end is clamped to the rear sway bar and has been known to move.it's mainly designed to be the upper limit by pushing down on the lever arm on the valve.loosen clamp bolts first then with car on ground crawl under and slowly move clamp so as to move arm on valve upwards.caution------if you move it too far you will pump susp so far that it will act as though the rear accumulators are gone.

__________________
David S Poole
European Performance
Dallas, TX
4696880422

"Fortune favors the prepared mind"
1987 Mercedes Benz 420SEL
1988 Mercedes Benz 300TE (With new evaporator)
2000 Mercedes Benz C280
http://www.w108.org/gallery/albums/A...1159.thumb.jpg

ok so, when I get under the car, I see the little link or whatever that connects between the valve and the sway bar. Is it totally okay to undo that link and actuate the valve manually so long as I dont over do it correct? I assume the car has to be running.

But all in all it does seem like come correction is needed right? the suspension should be holding those 400lbs level.

nice looking wagon.mine has the same issue so im interested in your resolution

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michael cole 1980 300SD gone now but not forgotten,87tdt,90 300te 4matic 95 e320 wagon

I tried this on my E320 wagon. Even with defective accumulators the back end rose and fell when the level valve arm was operated. It also made noise and bogged the engine slightly at full lift. The FSM suggests not holding this for long.
The pump is in the power steering pump housing.

Someone will hopefully correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the correct measure at rear is 12.75" from Star center (wheel axel) to fender lip. And should be .5" lower than measure a front wheel.

Bob

thats an awesome number. I totally didn't think to measure from there.




I don't suppose there are any electronics involved with this system eh? no switches, relays, fuses? I'm not really sure how to test to see if the pump is actually running. I don't know if the valve body is good or not ( are they really prone to failure? any other way to test?) but even so I'd still expect to hear the pump go under load. any other ideas on where to go next?

Hold on. I just measured. I'm at 14" 5/8 in the rear and about 15" 3/8 up front from wheel cap center to bottom edge of fender??

I found the "12.75" and ".5 f/r diff on another Benz site. Manual only appears to have data for using alignment tools. (As if DIYers have them). I don't know if the number is accurate. I was hoping a pro would confirm or correct me.

I don't suppose there are any electronics involved with this system eh? no switches, relays, fuses?
___None of the above. Only hydraulic pressure (with nitrogen gas in accumulators).

I'm not really sure how to test to see if the pump is actually running.
___Fluid will flow through resevour. Disconnect return hose from resevour, and continually add new fluid to flush system. It self purges any air in lines.

I don't know if the valve body is good or not ( are they really prone to failure? any other way to test?)
___Manual has procedures for presssure testing and as overnight procedure to ensure it's holding pressure. "Level controller" has very good rep for longevity.

but even so I'd still expect to hear the pump go under load.
___It uses the Power Steering pump _ but two different fluids are used!!! Because Power Steering pump is runnig constantly, I doubt you'd hear any different sound under load. Rear height should change within moments of turning on motor.

any other ideas on where to go next?
___We're both in the same wagon. Ride height of mine is similar to yours with little change loaded. I felt the handling was better when my accumulators weren't working properly. The handling of mine feels worse with the rear so high.

Do you mean the owners manual? I'm gonna go look right now. I've just gotta get this thing to level itself.

Not in Owners Manual. I' referring to the Model 124 Maintenance Manual (a 2CD Set)