560SEL: rear sus. sags AND has a stiff ride (also Q about alternator replacement...) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

WANT '71 280SEL · #1 04-17-2004, 08:31 AM

Second time typing this becasue I'm having some problems with my internet that not everything gets sent, sooooo.... here it goes.

Looking into a 560SEL. Haven't been told what year but know it has 165k miles on it and no rust, so I'm drooling. The owner's friend is a member here, thus how I found out about it.
He thought it need rear airbags. Not possible really since it has a hydraulic, not an air suspension like the older m-100's. I have read extensively, and have come to the conclusion that the accumulators are bad causing the stiff ride. BUT, people who had bad accumulators never said anything about sagging rear-ends. One person said that when his were bad, the car was still level. What do you people think would cause it to sag? WOuld it most likely be something simple such as the arm needs adjustment that is on the rear sway bar that triggers it to raise and lower the rear-end?

One more question, the car aslo needs an alternator. Since it is so far away I wanted to have it shipped, but was maybe wondering about me just doing it there? Would it be simple enough to do that? Exactly what tools would I need? Is it setup just like a 420SEL alternator wise such as belt being in the back so every other belt has to come off to get it?
Thanks
David

WANT '71 280SEL · #2 04-18-2004, 09:34 AM

I talked to the owner again, and I think I'll have his mechanic fix the alternator in NY. Would it be alright to drive the car 12 hours with the hydraulic suspension in that condition that I described above?
Thanks
David

stevebfl · #3 04-18-2004, 10:29 AM

Once the accumulators are bad for a significant time, months not days, they start tearing up the rest of the system. Usually they drive all the fluid from the valve and pump and the car sags and thats about it. New accumulators solves the problem. Sometimes the shocks have been beaten so bad that they leak, pumps quit and the valve quits working.

It is simply amazing the torture the system gets put through. Once disabled it really doesn't matter to drive it other than the lack of ride.

WANT '71 280SEL · #4 04-18-2004, 10:41 AM

So accumulators would cause it to sag if it's been long enough? You mentioned it would tear up other things, does this mean that I may even have to replace the pump and struts if it's been long enough? I'll ask the owner how long it's sagged like it is now.
Thanks
David

WANT '71 280SEL · #5 04-18-2004, 10:59 AM

Didn't hear what I wanted. He said the suspension's been in this condition for 2-3 years! So I would probably end up talking to the guy in parts discussion who is selling all the 560 hydraulic suspension parts that are used but good?
Thanks Again
David

stevebfl · #6 04-18-2004, 11:19 AM

Used will be alright for everything but the accumulators. They are perishable.

Replace the accumulators with new parts and then replace what don't work. Go to www.car-part.com and find the value of the used components for risk comparison.

WANT '71 280SEL · #7 04-18-2004, 12:05 PM

So things probably would be torn up under this car? Do the rear struts usuallly last long on these cars? Such as longer than normal gas struts/shocks?
How much would I be looking at to have an independent mechanic replace the alternator with a rebuilt one? The mechanic would supply the part of course. I was thinking maybe $350. Is that low? That was a guess figuring on two hours.
Thanks
David

stevebfl · #8 04-18-2004, 01:30 PM

Two hours is a lot for a prediagnosed alternator replacement.

The struts are almost indestructable on the level system, but it never ceases to amaze me the destructive properties of some auto conSUMERs.

A system in the state of abuse this one is in shows a lot about the state of service on the car. The best thing that could be said would be that years have passed since a trained technician has seen it and hopefully this was the only system the conSUMEr was ignorant of.

WANT '71 280SEL · #9 04-18-2004, 05:30 PM

He has had it to two different technicians for various things since he's owned it. I understand what your saying though. He said he's changed all the fluids such as diff, trans, and coolant, etc. He replaced the b/joints, or had it done, I didn't ask.
Thanks
David