I read a post in the Performance Paddock listings regarding the removal of the self-leveling suspension (87 16V) and replacing it with a more conventional set if shocks and springs. Not that I need it but could such a conversion be performed for an 85 300TDT. Pros/cons?

Thanks for your time and expertise,
Alec.
P.S.
What are the most common causes of failure for the self-leveling suspension components on an 85 300TDT or related models? Preventive maintenance?

My experience with the self leveling system on the 300TDT has been that the lever and link from the rear sway bar to the control valve has always been the problem. By loosening the lever on the sway bar and adjusting it, I was always able to repair this system.

Now that a few more years of time have passed, it could be that the accumulators have deteriorated, still, not a big deal repair. This would be a small price to pay for such a nice suspension system.

Good luck,

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 516K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

I can understand removal of the hydraulics in the 16V as I can't see any benefits of them in that car. However, in your wagon I'd leave it alone. When you're fully loaded with kids and luggage (or at least lots of top soil and mulch!) it's better to have the system do its duty and keep the rear end from dragging. My BMW 745i has self-leveling in the rear and I have been seriously considering elimintaing it completely for the same reasons I mentioned about the 16V. Bilstein makes a kit to do it. On the Bimmer though, it's simpler as the pump and pickup tank is all right there in the trunk. No lines to fiddle with running the length of the car, etc..etc.. But like I said, on the wagon, it's definitely a nice feature to have.

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Rgds,
Aaron Greenberg
MB technician
Precision Motorcars, Cincinnati, Ohio
'67 250SE Cabriolet
'77 450SL
'80 300SD
'85 380SE
'89 420SEL
'93 300E 2.8
'74 Jensen Interceptor Mk.III
'81 DeLorean DMC12
'85 BMW 745i Turbo