Hi Guys
I have a w124 1987 wagon and the suspension is bouncy, it became like this overnight and am wondering if anyone would know what the likely cause would be.
Its the self levelling type. It give you a feeling that your in a boat instead of a car sometimes as you bounce along.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks Mark

To test:
1] Check level in resevour. If low, the pressure feed hose is from lower side of PS pump into bottom of resevour. Easy DIY to replace hose, but use only Febi 2615 hydraulic fluid into resevour. PS pump uses different fluid Febi 08972.
2] Turn on engine, slowly remove fill cap from resevour. Contains replaceable filter screen [size of toilet paper inner roll]. Returning fluid should be without bubbles and not foamy. If so, accumulators are ng. Accumulators are about size of baseball, filled with nitrogen and self leveling fluid. Diaphram breaks inside allowing gas & fluid to mix. About $200 for both. Located above rear axels.
3] Check Strut/shock [s] for leaks
4] System has self leveling "controller" mounted near RR axel. Sometimes bracket onto rear sway bar comes loose or linkage disconnects due to lost nut.

Bob
PS Search "wagon self leveling."

Check the ride height adjusting arm...sounds like it came loose if this happened all at once....system may be in full low.
Other than the pump quitting.


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Thanks guys
I will check the items mentioned. Could you please tell me where abouts is the ride height adjusting arm and what does it look like?
Thanks

Center of rear sway bar.



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Near right rear axel. See photo of controller. Arm of controller attaches to turnbuckle that attached to bracket on sway bar.
Bob

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Your accumulators are blown.

I've had exact same problem 2 years ago. Replaced it and it rides like new again.
Apparently, diaphrams on these accumulators last about 8-10 years.

Of course it wouldn't hurt to check other suspension components as others suggest as well.

Cheers!

Probably bad accumulator/s $350 at a good indy, closer to $500 at MB

Thanks for your help everyone.
I have this Friday off so will check the system out.
So if the returning fluid is foamy its the Accumulators. Is that the only sign that they're Ka'put.
I do hope its just the link. Are the accumulators a difficult Diy.
Thanks agian.

there is an easy surefire way to check accumulators.all ya need is a pencil.do a search on accumulators.

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

Mark wrote


The difficult part is working around the rear axels because the accumulators are on top of them. Although no special tools are needed, I was unable to undo the banjo bolt on mine, cause this old man laying on his back doesn't have the strength he once had. So I had an inde do mine 3 hrs labor.

Put the rear up on jack stands. With tools in hand, you'll realize the working space limitations. And be very careful when reinserting the lines into the controller. Cross thread one of these and you're in deep du du.

Bob
PS There's a few threads with specific and cautionary info.

I've been following this thread as I just bought a car with (I think) bad accumulators. What worries me is that when I look in the reservoir with the car running I see no foam what-so-ever. My car exhibits the exact symptoms posted here, super bouncy.

I've already ordered the accumulators so they will be getting replaced either way, but with given the symptoms is it possible that something else is the problem? I've inspected the shocks and they don't appear to be leaking.

My E320 wagon had all the synptoms of bad accumulators, except the frothy reservoir. I changed them out and that fixed the problem. There's really nothing else it can be.

Good to know, thanks!

Unless the suspension is at either extreem..on the stops...then bouncing is due to accumalators .
They act as fluid reserves. They are initially filled with a nitrogen charge of 2500 psi . Physics dictates that the molecules of nitrogen will bleed through the rubber buffer diaphram in a priod of around 6 to 8 years leading to a sphere with no cushion of nitrogen for the displaced fluid in the shocks to flow to or from.

When this happens, the shock fluid is dead headed and shocks will not move because there is no room in the sphere for the fluid the shocks displace to go and it cannot go through the control unit fast enough due to line restriction.

The only up/down movement left is shock mount rubbers and tyres.


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__________________
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"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."