PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum (http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/)
-   Tech Help (http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/)
-   -   Replacing air cells / accumulators, filter, fluid... (http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/68840-replacing-air-cells-accumulators-filter-fluid.html)

shawnster 06-29-2003 05:07 PM

Replacing air cells / accumulators, filter, fluid...
 
I'll be replacing the accumulators/ air cells on my '81 300TD within the next week or so. When I do I'll also flush, replace the filter, and refill with new MB hdyraulic fluid.

I'm a pretty decent DIY'er, is there anybody that can provide some instructions/ directions beyond general tips found by searching the forum?

psfred 06-29-2003 09:37 PM

Car must be up on jack stands, as the suspension will collapse when you open the lines up. Rear wheels need to be hanging free, no weight on them.

On the W123 the accumulators are under the car, not inside. Be prepared for all the fluid (about a pint and a half, total) to drip out while you are removing the steel lines. Very messy, I used several catch pans and a tray to keep it all off the drive.

The attachement will be obvious, I think three bolts on each accumulator at the base, plus two hydraulic lines.

Clean all the pipe unions and spray penetrating oil in so that the fitting won't stick to the metal line when you unscrew it. Would make for a long day if you bugger up the lines, as you cannot put the car back down on the ground without all the lines attached...

Remove the hydraulic lines (10 mm line wrench? May be 11, MB likes that for brake lines). Once the lines are off, R&R the accumulators.

When reinstalling the hydraulic lines., be very careful to make SURE the fitting is screwing in properly BY HAND before you wrench on it -- some of the parts are fairly soft and you don't want to replace extra stuff because you stripped it out.

It may take a couple tries to figure out which end of the lines to install first. I recommend you remove them completely rather than just from the accumulators so that you don't bend them up, but this is on the W124, the line arrangement may be different on the W123 so it's not as necessary. You may also want to leave the accumulator hold down bolts loose until you get the lines installed.

The suspension will bottom out when you lower the car, so be prepared for it to sit pretty low before you start it up. It should return to normal height rapidly once started.

Peter

shawnster 06-29-2003 10:51 PM

Many thanks, psfred!

I have ramps but no jack stands. Is there a reason the wheels need to be hanging free?

Also, is there one line I should remove before the others to relieve the pressure or won't they be under pressure with the engine off?

How about the filter?

psfred 06-29-2003 10:55 PM

The pressure in the system holds the car up, the rear end will drop down when you remove the hydraulic lines, and even it if was up on ramps, it makes me nervous to have the car move around while I'm under it. Much safer to have the car suspended with the wheels free. It drops down pretty far with no hydraulic pressure.

Doesn't matter which line you remove first, all the pressure blows out that one. The other reason to have the rear wheels hanging, far less pressure in there.

The filter is in the fluid reservior up front, or in the pump, I didn't change mine.

Peter


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:18 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website