hydro-pneumatic compensators and you

[pxland]

My 73 280 SEL has a bad compensator which makes me ask the following questions.

Is the compensator, like everything else on the vehicle, designed to be rebuilt? Has anyone ever seen a kit?

And

Can it be driven without the compensator? I know the ass sags and the rear tires nearly touch each other at the top, even when it is worn out is it providing any lift in the rear end at all?

Thank you,
Paul X.

PS I just got the car running and moving this weekend for the first time since 1984! Everything I did to it was researched here first.

[JMela]

I've never seen a compensator rebuild kit.

The MB conversion kit for a springed unit which replaces the compensator is around $100. There's rebuilt compensators sold on ebay for around $200. Not too tough a swap with a jack and a big pry bar.

I wouldn't drive it with the rear sagging like that.

Congrats on getting the car started, change those fluids pronto and don't use any of that old gas -- if the car is running you know this already.

[JoeyTheB]

Option 1 (lowest cost)
Replace the compensator with a "spring kit".
Some owners claim replacing with a spring adversely affects handling, while others say no difference. $75

Option 2 (used compensator)
Finding a used one is pretty rare - valued around $300.

Option 3 (new compensator)
Also rare, somewhere in the $1000 and up range.

If option 1 or option 2 are of interest to you, contact me -
I happen to have both items in my possesion....

Rebuilding - sorry, not an option.

[Russ114]

i've converted the rear of my 450SEL to Springs + Shocks and it was a mistake!

i've heard you can rebuild the compensators, rebuild the shocks, and replace the part of the system that holds the nitrogen from the oil. although i don't know what you class as "rebuildable"

[pxland]

How about this approach. Does anyones manual, factory or otherwise, show an exploded view of the compensator?

[Tomguy]

If you have the parts book that came with the car (Mine is 12 803, 208 catalog B, 1971, U.S. Version), page 119 shows the extent to which you can rebuild it: The rubber boot, retaining clamps/rings, and rubber mounting hardware is it (as well as the end 90° bracket). If it were rebuildable inside, I'm pretty sure the parts would be shown - this book, AFAIK, shows nearly every part available for the 108-chassis MBs. Hell, the page before it shows the super-rare towing hitch!

[autozen]

Because of the extreme gas pressures involved, these units are not rebuildable by the consumer. It would be nice if some company were to start rebuilding them, but I doubt if that will ever happen, because there wouldn't be much call. Most of the cars that these highly neurotic compensators were installed on aren't worth fixing. THe SLs never had them. Only coupes and convertibles would be worth restoring and that is a small number. There is probably a handful of people world wide who would want a rebuilt unit on a 108 series. A spring setup works fine. This compensator was an early load leveling system. If you don't carry a full car load of people with junk in the trunk, it isn't necessary. Facts of life.

Peter

[Tomguy]

By the way - often times, driving the car around (especially on a bumpy road) will raise the rearend back to its normal level.

Still, it's probably shot - mine is, my ass end sagged when my trunk was full - but it does sit at the proper height (I think) when it's empty after I hit one or two bumps.

[pxland]

I had heard that the compensators can, after a few miles, pump themselves back up. I was not so lucky.

Spring kit here I come. Did someone say they had one for $75?

Thank you for all of the input, the car gets stronger every time I drive it.
Paul X