Hi,
My 1995 wagon (76km) is riding very squishy and underdamped. Some observations and facts:

1. New self-leveling spheres
2. Suspension links/ bushings are fine
3. 500E rear springs fitted
4. Power steering/ tandem pump assembly leaking

At this point, the local dealer can think of only two causes for the squishy ride (underdamped and plenty of side to side motion over single wheel bumps): Degenerating shocks or insufficient system pressure in the SLS caused by the power steering/ tandem pump leak. Tech's recommendation is to rebuild the pump at $500.

My questions:
1. How would one determine if the leak is just a feeder or return line and not internal to the pump?
2. Could it be that any leak in the pump, external or internal, would affect the SLS pressure? The tech refused to attach a pressure guage at the level controller, citing that the pump leak would lead to a compromised reading (appears to make sense).

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks
farrukh

The pump only provides the pressure to raise and lower the vehicle, the spheres provide most of the shock capability. The pump has nothing to do with the shock capability. With the car turned off the suspension still functions but will not self level.

The shocks themselves are mainly the ride height adjustment platform and work with the spheres to provide the shock capability.

If the car has been used with the spheres badly worn then the shocks can be damaged which will lead to the condition you describe, shocks however rarely go bad and it's only when they are used with the damaged spheres that they get destroyed.

My suggestion would be to try shocks from a dismantling yard first to ensure that this will fix the problem as new SLS shocks are very expensive.

You should get the tandam pump repaired anyway as running it low on fluid will damage the pump.

Good luck.

Matt.