I recently started noticing a bit of what I thought was engine oil on the driveway beneath my SEC. After lifting the hood I was a little shocked to find the suspension fluid reservoir almost empty and the leak from the suspension pump. Quite messy. I'm sure every SEC owner knows that pump costs about a grand. So, before I fork over the dosh I was hoping one (or more) of you clever listers might have a less expensive idea.

Rebuild it. My 560SEL had a leak, the kit is from Meyle last I checked. Pretty reasonable.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

All of them go eventually. It is the rear self levelling.

You can get to the lines behind the rear seat, if you take them out and redo them. You would have to remove the rear seat. I saw it done. Be carefull or you will get fluid allover the garage floor. It is not too bad of a job.

Sometimes the accumulators/nitrogen cells, let go on them. Can happen at 50,000 or 100,000 miles. The "cannonballs" as they are called, can be replaced.

When they go out, the ride is VERY stiff and bouncy and unforgiving. You'll know.

In Europe, this system was optional on the 420SEC and 500SEC, standard on the 560SEC.

You could rip it out and install regular shocks, but generally, it is not worth it.

I would fix it. Or have it done.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Thanks for the promp suggestions. Following your sage advise I searched around on the meyle website, found the rebuild kit and placed it on order with my usual supplier. Changed both accumulators a few mos back. I'm hoping the kit will cure the leak; 35 bucks vs. 1000 for a new pump.

There's not much to that pump if you get it off, you'll see.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Yeah, looks like 6 allen bolts, plus the banjo fittings. Im hoping to learn what exactly is causing the leakage. Wont be able to get to it 'til friday.

My car had the SLS on it, but the lines were totally corroded so the PO removed the accumulators and replaced the system with gas shocks. It sits a little low now, and the ride is a little stiff.

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Dont ever forget that there are several cars that use the SLS system and they all use the same pump. You can get a good one from a 300TE a 190E 2.3-16v or and of the W126 cars that use them. Ebay always has one or two for under $300. I would not recommend spending the $900 for a NEW one. they are rebuilt easily and rarely are ruined. Just leaking.

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Christopher Henkel
1990 190E 2.6 - Arctic white SOLD
1986 190E-16v - Blauswartze
1993 300CE - SOLD
2003 W208 CLK 320 Cabriolet - Magma Red