First, I love this site and the great technical help here. I've read many threads on SLS first but they don't explain the bounce symptoms and I'm hoping to get clarification for all readers.

My 560SEL, 1990 with 180K has lost the dampening over bumps. I've ordered HD Bilsteins for the front.

(I've gone through the shock substituions on other MB sedans and SL's -Nothing handles bumps like a Bilstein!!!) Yes, Koni's are ajustible and my Porche has them, BUT they offer no comfort, just variable stiffness: very stiff to rock hard. Did I say, Very stiff ride?)

The accummalators are $120 each best price I've found, so I want to make sure that is the solution on the rear. But more importantly to me, and many of you, I want to know what the source of the problem is so I know I'll fix it.

I understand the nitrogen in the globes (behind a rubber bladder) provides the dampening for the hydraulic ride levelers (hydraulic rams).

I understand why the ride goes stiff if the gas leaks out to the air. But how does the ride go bouncy (poor dampening) with failed accumalators?
And, do they go out at the same time? How can you tell if only one has failed, which one failed?

Is there a valve that gets stuck open in the accumalator?
Is it nitrogen leaking into the fluid?

Bubbles in the fluid cause the underdampening? Wouldn't the self purging feature in the reservour allow the bubbles to escape and my ride will go stiff when the bubbles are gone?

Say the globes are bad, should I assume the fluid is bad? The fluid was low when I first bought the car. I bought a Liter and put in maybe 2/3rds. I've never had to top it and I think it is still honey colored.

Finally, I have a Kaboda tractor and a big jug of hydrolic fluid for it, same color and consistancy as Mercedes fluid. (Everything is powered through hydraulics on this tractor so you need some "Hypoid Fluid" around in case of leaks or breakdowns. It takes about 5 gallons of the stuff!!!) Is it a good substitute?

(I think this is the second time for this car, the original owner said he had to hav ethe rear shocks replaced on a trip to LA because the car started bouncing. That was at about 60K. When I looked at the shocks (rams) I could see they were original, so I had trouble understanding what he had experienced.)

Thanks again!!!