Drove about 40 miles today in my 87 wagon and when I stopped the entire hydro fluid system drained out from the drivers side rear under the strut. There was no source of the leak when the engine was running that I could find previously and now that the system is drained it's a dilemma to find what it's doing.

I have gotten as far as proofing the drivers side shock with compressed air, it's not blown out. So 1 theory is that the level control valve is shot. It seems the fluid is just being blown out of the shocks by the pump, there's really no other explanation for the amount of fluid in 2 different places. I suppose it's possible both shocks are bad but that's doubtful. So this leads to the repair. The level control valve is 1 expensive part but I need to confirm that it's the problem.

Not very clear, you say it drained under the strut, and also "two different places".

If the "strut" (actually a damper) is leaking, then you need to replace it, also an expensive part but a fairly rare failure. Check the rubber line to the damper, much more likely.

If the level valve was malfunctioning, it is more common to leak past it and not lift/level the rear. If it was failed in the lift position it would lift the rear much higher than normal, you'd notice that and the harsh ride.

Re-fill the system and check for leaks, especially under the damper where you found it before, and hope it's a failed flexible line.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

It is an odd problem but here it is more concisely: fluid is leaking past both shocks enough to create a pool in the lower boot- then getting splashed up by the action of the strut. I realize now this has been going on for awhile on the right side but not enough to fail the system entirely. The left side didn't seem to have the problem until yesterday when all the fluid came out through that shock. I verified all the other components aren't leaking including the lines, accumulators, and the level control valve itself isn't leaking.

The system would've been working as it was normal, now it's failed and the rear end isn't lifted at all.

What's unclear is the fact that the shock failure is so uncommon and this is problem on both sides. Also the fact that I put 80 psi of air pressure into the shock that leaked all the fluid and it didn't leak.

I have to get hydraulic fluid to check it but I'm sure it will leak it this same way out the shock.

Confirmed the drivers side shock is leaking profusely. Probably the passengers side has been leaking for awhile and the fluid level dropped low enough to starve the other or an air bubble burst the seal. I noticed the fluid level had dropped a bit but it was still within specs. Must have been the terrible roads in my area that finished off both of them.

So the best price I found for OEM shocks was autopartswarehouse for $390 a piece. Seems there's an option to just eliminate the hydraulic system entirely and go with standard shocks, that may be the best option.

OK even shaved 100 more and couldn't pass it up:

Its a nice feature to have, especially on the estate.

Check the fluid, possibly someone used a fluid that was not compatible with the seals.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Basically all the fluid is gone now, something definitely caused the passengers side to leak before I got the car but it was maintained by a mercedes shop And even if I had caught it it's not really worth only replacing 1 so in the end it's not a bad investment seeing as the labor is my own- hard to charge yourself. I am a chronic amazon shopper and that deal won't last, it's only because they haven't updated that item price in years.

Anybody have a part # or link for the rubber mount bushings?