Self Leveling System fine -then suddenly too high..
 

Hi there,

I have read a lot about the SLS system on this forum and at other sites. I have a quite good understanding of the functionality etc.

I just installed a new connection rod on my 320TE (w123). Pump is working, there are no leaks that I can find anywhere and fluid level is fine.

After adjusting the height level with the engine running, I thought everything was just fine. I drove for a while (about 5 km). Then after returning to the car several hours later, it starts jumping up and down in the rear end. Now the rear end is suddenly raised way too high!

I am thinking, that maybe the valve needs repair/replacement..

Will a bad valve let too much hydraulic oil through and cause the system to raise too high?

Thanks,

Ronald, Denmark

A stuck valve might do that, but it's probably not bad. Bad valves leak internally so that the car sags after sitting for a while. Check the linkage (again) and the sway bar links. One or more of these may have come loose or broken.

Thanks OldPokey,

Glad to know, that my valve might be ok:)

Excuse me, but my vocabulary in tech-words is not very good (I am danish). What exactly is the 'linkage' and the 'sway bar links'?:rolleyes:

My arm on the valve is not a part of the valve, but can be turned 180 degrees before fastened with a tightening bolt, and then I can also adjust the other 'arm' that reacts on the rear weight.

Thanks,

Ronald

IIRC there is a valve on the body with an arm that attaches to the suspension arm. When there is a load the arm activates the valve to provide more pressure in the system to lift the rear. If this arm link fell off you might have such an event. I think they sometimes also seize with rust.

Tom W

Here is what the sway bar link looks like:

http://tinyurl.com/2mqmst

And here is the pull rod you just replaced:

http://tinyurl.com/2q7py4

If any of these parts is broken, loose or otherwise damaged your car's ride height will be affected.

Thanks again.

Bu t there is a problem with the url to the pictures. It redirects to a place that does not exist...:dizzy2:

It happened to me, same symptom on a 600SEL W140 and many times on 560SEL W126. They are almost all the same system. What I did is that I readjusted the rear hydraulic valve and it worked fine. Sometimes you need to adjusted many times so you make sure that there is no air in the oil stream.

Hey zcc. That is good news! I will give it a try again.

Two additional questions:

1. The system is self-bleeding, right? So I guess that I do not have to bleed anyting (I opened tha valve and there was immediately soming fluid out)

2. Isn't the sls system supposed to be correctly set, if you can put a wire through some holes that are alligned (haven't done it yet...)

/Ronald

As for my information no, it's not self-bleeding.

I don't know but I don't think so.

OK. Thanks again. I will get back to this forum in the beginning of the week and post back if the problem was solved.

I found you some useful information here:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/63511-urgent-self-levelling-help-required-post1633531.html#post1633531
Thanks OldPokey.