It is my impression that the reason the chambers lose their gas is due to leaks in the diaphram. I wouldn't think that recharging would be practical if thats the case. I have not heard or anyone recharging a german type hydraulic pressure accumulator. I have bought reconditioned chambers for Rolls, but only the early cars as their late cars have cheaper accumulators than MBs and just as inaccessible to recharging.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Interesting thread and some interesting comments. I recently changed the accumulators and the struts on my 500E and it made all the difference in the world, like driving a new car and worth the expense. When disposing of the old acumulators it is important to drill a small hole in the cell to make sure it is completely deflated. Ifit is shot, you will get hydrauil oil all over your drill bit ! They are exactly the same as aircraft accumulators and I see no mileage in trying the recharge them as, as Steve rightly suggests, the diaphram is usuall shot. Good reading !

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1993 190E 2.0L (Euro.) sold
1991. 500 SEL (Euro.)
1991. 300 CE (Euro.) sold
1993. 500 E (U.S. spec.)

Just changed out the Spheres on my 500 SEL. Rides like a dream. Thanks Guys.

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JWNors

92 500 SEL
85 380 SE (RIP)
76 300D (Sold)
97 Infiniti QX4

How much was it to replace the spheres? (My '95 S500 has a 'thud' noise in the back right when I go over bumps.)

$300 and up depending who does it, $90 or so for the spheres, labor and oil.

$120 ea for the Spheres...$15 ea for two quarts of Hyd oil. Labor...DIY or Approx $250 Mechanic labor

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JWNors

92 500 SEL
85 380 SE (RIP)
76 300D (Sold)
97 Infiniti QX4

Has anyone ever come up a solution for that thumping noise that you hear in the back of a 140? I've been trying to track mine down, I've replaced both upper strut mounts and both lower control arm ball joints and it is still there. I can only hear it on the left hand side, sounds almost like a muffler is bouncing up and down against a mount over choppy bumps.

Its a 92 500SEL and the car rides other then the noise.

Thanks

http://v12uberalles.com/pressure_spheres.htm

http://v12uberalles.com/Rear_Struts.htm

http://v12uberalles.com/ADS.htm

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1995 S600, 1 of 618 (sold)

"Speed is just a question of money...how fast you wanna go?"

LONG LIVE THE W140!
Visit my Web Page at www.v12uberalles.com

http://www.strutmasters.com/catalog.php?cat=57

Those are kind of lame, they cost as much as fixing it the right way.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200