w109 air suspension question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

WANT '71 280SEL · #1 02-16-2013, 09:18 AM

I'm looking to get my air suspension sorted out and have some questions. It's looking like both my front air leveling valves are leaking down, with the left leaking faster. I assume they're not tied together so that if one front valve leaks it will make the other leak down?

Secondly, how can I test the check valve that everyone mentions failing on these cars. I believe it's at the alcohol bottle behind the RF fender. Anyone know of a source for the "breather" for this tank? I understand the cylinder is some sort of filter/breather that should be occasionally replaced.

Are there any other points that I should be looking at for leaks? Unfortunately I don't have access to a 4-post lift so the plan is to put jack stands under the suspension to simulate load for testing (i.e. spraying connections w/ soap water).

Thanks,

David

werminghausen · #2 02-16-2013, 12:15 PM

David,
if car is going down it is for sure the leveling valves leaking (main suckers are stk and intake valve, rarely the exhaust valve is leaking). replace all 3 leveling valves or have them remanufactured. I could do it for you if I had the bullets from a CNC machine, but i have nothing here in Oman.
All the other components are secondary and easier to replace in comparison.
Martin

Pooka · #3 02-16-2013, 01:19 PM

There are filters for the air, but you don't have to use the OEM parts. Take what you have to anyplace that sells hydraulic and air equipment and they will have filters in any size or micron level you need.

The goal is to keep dirt out of the system and then to take water out of the clean air.

WANT '71 280SEL · #4 02-16-2013, 07:06 PM

Martin, the back is staying up, or will for at least 3 days (the longest I let it sit without driving it--I love the car!). It looks like I need to order 2 front leveling valves from Star Motors. According to the records in the car, the front 2 were replaced in '99 along with all the air bags.

Pooka, thanks for the tip on the air filter. I'll do some research and find a filter locally.

Best Regards,

David

werminghausen · #5 02-16-2013, 07:28 PM

Hi David

3 days is nothing!. if leveling valves are airtight as designed the car stays up for a year! If the car is going down in the rear then this leveling valve is also leaking- believe me.
If front leveling valves were replace d in 99 (14 years ago), the question is:
were these remanufactured ones like Star Motors (I hear lots of at least questionable stories about Star M). The thing is: It all comes down to proper o-rings inside the bullet valves - rubber. Anything else is not degrading in my experience. It is a sad story but a true one.
I have rebuilt my leveling valves ..took me at least two years if my life.
The valves are great now and car stays up for months.
Main valve and alcohol bottle can be remanufactured more easily but these are rarely the big cause of a car going down.

If you come across a good re;placement air filter that fits the alcohol bottle count me in. In Oman the air is so dusty that I need a better filter.
I was already thinking to tap into the airfilter somehow and take air from there but didn't do it. A good airfilter should do the job.

WANT '71 280SEL · #6 02-16-2013, 07:45 PM

I realize the car should stay up, but my front is dropping within an hour. I'd live with it if the whole car could stay up for 3 days, but right now I can't really valet the car (almost necessary in Dallas when going out on the town).

I wish you could do mine, too, but as you said you can't really get the bullet valves in Oman. Besides Star Motors, are there other options? The paperwork just says replaced valves. Considering the work totaled ~$2k w/ airbags I'd say they were rebuilt.

-David

werminghausen · #7 02-16-2013, 07:58 PM

Woerle in Germany is rebuilding airvalves. Ask for a price
On website Replacement parts-Wörle Fahrzeugtechnik
Axles' air control valve completely overhauled. Exchange price 430,- Euro/piece. incl. VAT

You'll get 19% off (VAT) I think if you order from the US

WANT '71 280SEL · #8 02-16-2013, 08:07 PM

430 euros is pretty steep, even if you take off 20%. I looked at Star Motors and they get $400/unit. I'll call Monday to ask about any warranty.

werminghausen · #9 02-17-2013, 12:22 AM

Different quality. You don't want to touch these valves ever again, believe me.

Tomguy · #10 02-17-2013, 08:58 AM

Star Motors does a lot of them. I wouldn't hesitate to get one from them but then again they're only like an hour drive from me so I could knock on their door if it failed

werminghausen · #11 02-18-2013, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WANT '71 280SEL

430 euros is pretty steep, even if you take off 20%. I looked at Star Motors and they get $400/unit. I'll call Monday to ask about any warranty.

This is 20% more, yes, plus shipping. But research about the quality.

WANT '71 280SEL · #12 02-18-2013, 10:43 AM

Holy s$^@ batman. I just got off the phone with Star Motors and asked about price and warranty. They're $795/valve! The website says $400, and I mentioned this, to which he instantly said "well there's a disclaimer on the website that says price is susceptible to change since we haven't updated the website in a few years." Yeah, I'd say a 100% increase is quite a difference.

Their valves come with a 1 year warranty, that's it.

Thanks,

David

WANT '71 280SEL · #13 02-18-2013, 10:52 AM

I guess the German valve is much cheaper. $465.95+shipping for the one from Germany (converted to dollars and drop the 19% German VAT). My sister speaks German well, I'll talk to her about ordering for me.

You sure you can't find a source for the bullet valves, Martin? ha ha ha. I think if you got into the business of rebuilding these valves you could clearly make some money at it!

Thanks,

Davod

Pooka · #14 02-18-2013, 07:02 PM

Concerning the air filters.......

From my days in the oil biz I know what you are talking about on the fine dust in the Middle East.

Set up two filters. The first intake filter will screen out dirt and sand down to a specific size and then the second filter will screen out the finer dust. The reason for doing this is to keep from cleaning the filter once a day.

The dust can be knocked off the primary filter with ease and the secondary filter, which normally requires pulling off the filter canister cover, can be cleaned once a week.

And hydraulic supply house can help you with this, and as much oil business as it there someone is bound to sell these things.

Al Accad Trading sells Norgren products in Oman, so you might give them a call.

werminghausen · #15 02-19-2013, 04:47 AM

Hi Pooka, thanks for the link.
Yes you definetely know what I am facing here....fine sands... deadly for any mechanical equipment ...such as airsuspension.
I am even concerned about our good old airfilter on the SEL.

What product do you think of from Norgren? F07?
http://resources.norgren.com/document_resources/pdf/F07.pdf

This is for compressed air though.... still 4 inch long and 1.5" dia, as big as the entire alcohol bottle??