Hi, I'm new to this forum. I also just got my little paws on a cherry w126 which me and my girlfriend just LOVE !!! The original owner was the classic "little ol' lady". It's the most lux. car I have ever driven or been in. Some little things is all it needs and we basically got a like new 560 SEL !!! Except for one thing that is really worrying me. I didn't know it had a hydraulic suspension, and after buying new tires, i noticed that i was riding a little low in the back end. Now, I realize that the SLS could possibly be worn out. I have read some of the posts relating to this, and I have located most of the parts on the car, but I dont know where to add the hydraulic fluid !!!! lol. I'm pretty good when it comes to replacing parts and things like that, but I've never worked on hydraulic suspensions, though I have helped install air suspensions. Can anyone give me some direction as to where to start solving my suspension issue?

As far as the fluid goes, there is a large plastic reservoir on the left inner panel.
Make sure to use only MB hydraulic fluid.

To see if the system is working, open the trunk & with the engine running at idle add weight (sit) on the trunk opening & see if the car raises itself.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

WOW !!! That hydraulic suspension is really neat !!! It took two bottles of hydraulic fluid, but the back end leveled out, and when me and my hunny sat on the trunk, it lifted us up, and it made this cool little humming noise !!! I drove it around today and then parked it for a while at the mall to check for leaks. Not a single drop on the ground or on the chassy. Thanks to M.B. DOC for the help. I'm just wondering one thing. Where did all the old hydraulic fluid go if there are no leaks? Like I said, it took two full bottles to fill it, cause after I put one in and idled it, the reservoir level dropped back to the bottom !! Anyhoo, I noticed a few chips on the paint, so now its on to the body shop.

Most likely the fluid went into the accumulators.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

If the fluid went into the accumulators does that mean that the diaphrams are bad?