My '86 560 has sagging rear end. Help!!!

[lesaroka]

Sagging just started. Did I do something to make it happen? Can I do something to make it stop? Is it possible to replace the hydraulic shocks with something generic. Any feedback greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Lee H.
Des moines, IA

[vinamg]

Is it bouncy? Most likely you have bad accumulators.

Vin

[plink49]

Sorry to hear that your honey has a sagging rear end. My honey of over 20 years has a slightly saggy rear end, but I love her dearly. You need to look beyond the physical.
Please....don't respond to this, I just couldn't resist.

[jeffmg1]

Check fluid level, and does the rear come up with the engine running?

[lesaroka]

Hello,
thanks for your reply.
The rear end does not seem to be affected 1 way or the other with engine running.
How do I check fluid levels?
Lee H

[jeffmg1]

White plastic bottle with black screw-on cap, front left of engine.
Cap has a pull-off middle part with a dip stick attached.
Use only MB fluid.

[DaveL]

Yes, you can replace the hydraulic self leveling system with "normal" shocks and springs. My local independants charge $600 to $800 (parts and labor) for this job, and then you have conventional suspension - no more sagging or pounding accumulators.

-David

[stevebfl]

Now that sounds like a real solution make an expensive repair out of it and make it drive like a cheap mercedes.

The only reason to trash the system would be not understanding it. Common problem in a lot of shops.

[psfred]

Fluid reservior is under the hood, probably on the left side. Pump is attached to the power steering pump, I believe.

Use ONLY the proper MB fluid, anthing else causes trouble.

I'd not replace the self leveling until I found out what was wrong. I could be as simple as the link to the sway bar being loose.

Peter