Self Leveling System fine -then suddenly too high.. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

istedgade · #1 09-29-2007, 08:16 AM

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

OldPokey · #2 09-29-2007, 09:00 AM

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.

istedgade · #3 09-29-2007, 09:13 AM

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'?

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

t walgamuth · #4 09-29-2007, 09:32 AM

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

OldPokey · #5 09-29-2007, 11:41 AM

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.

istedgade · #6 09-29-2007, 11:56 AM

Thanks again.

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

zcc · #7 09-29-2007, 01:18 PM

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.

istedgade · #8 09-29-2007, 02:01 PM

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

zcc · #9 09-29-2007, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by istedgade

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)/Ronald

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by istedgade

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

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