Time on my hands - thought I'd investigate rear suspension knock on corners... (W115)

[j-galap]

As with many other folks, I've been temporarily laid off from my job as a result of COVID-19. The upside: I've suddenly been handed a ton of spare time to tinker with my '74 W115 240D.

I love this car. It's my second W115 and it's great. It's a fantastic drive, but the list of jobs to do on it is long (many minor things, a few more pressing issues). My car was not well maintained before I got it, but I'm working to change that.

Here's a pic a photographer friend snapped of it the other day:


And another one (because why not? Pictures are great ):


One thing I've been meaning to look at (but a Pacific Northwest winter got in the way of the last while) was a knock from the drivers side rear suspension on right hand corners. Today, I jacked the car up and took the wheel off to see what was up. Turns out the sway bar linkage on the drivers side was completely disintegrated. It wasn't even attached on the hub end!

So, I thought I should probably check out the passenger side too (thought it would be sensible even though I'd experienced no knocks there).

Almost as bad:



...and to think that this is the "good" side! I forgot to snap a pic of the other one. Needless to say I'll be making a parts order shortly.

A question though: I see there's self-leveling and non-self leveling options available. I'm not too sure which I need. Anyone know?

That's about it for now. I thought folks might be interested to see a neglected W115 getting some attention. I'm slowly but surely bringing this car back from its unloved state!

Cheers

[Mike D]

No "self leveling" on a W115.

https://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/SuperCat/3226/MBZ_3226_SUSSHK_pg3.htm#item10

Go for the OEM parts. I've had good luck with the Lemforder also but for a pittance more you can get the originals.

[j-galap]

Thanks Mike!

[oldsinner111]

nice 240

[rumb]

Self leveling would have hydraulic cylinders in the rear and a pump on the engine.

BTW nice looking car. If nothing else we are all working on our cars!

[j-galap]

Thanks! It's not too bad. I've already put way too much time and effort (not to mention money!) into it. My wife doesn't understand why haha. But she appreciates that it's a great car.

It's been repainted (not particularly well) at some point in the past few years too. Another job on the list is to get an electric buffer going on the paint to bring out the shine. I took a clay bar to it a few weeks ago and that made a load of difference, so I think a buff and then proper polish and wax will make it look a lot nicer.

Also replaced the windshield a few months back which was a huge improvement. Worth the money for sure!

[t walgamuth]

Replacing the sway bar link will make a significant improvement in the handling of the car. Without it the rear feels unstable and swayie.

Nice looking car! The color is one that is very common on the 123 but not so much on the 115.

[Usaguy]

Originally Posted by Mike D

No "self leveling" on a W115.

it was optional on euros

[Mike D]

Not for the 240D which used the OM616.

One glance at the original post shows the suspension to be non SLS.

[Usaguy]

Originally Posted by Mike D

Not for the 240D which used the OM616.

One glance at the original post shows the suspension to be non SLS.

Yes I doubt he has sls since it's a north american model.

How do you know it wasn't available on a 240D in europe?

In my post #8 the picture was printed in 1968 (no 240D until 72 or 73) and it shows that it was available with every engine in '68

[t walgamuth]

I'm pretty sure you could get the sls on most any model they built excepting the two seaters in other places besides here.

[Idle]

A quick way to tell if a Mercedes from that era has self leveling is to look at the left side of the front of the engine. That's where the hydraulic pump would be located. All of them I have ever seen, and you see them 560SELs, 300TDTs and 6.9s, are located there.

They are all driven off a flange on the rear of the pump which is mounted flush against the cylinder head, where it is driven off the end of a camshaft.

No pump, no SLS.

These are very simple vane pumps and easy to repair. They just need new gaskets or new vanes. But usually both and they work like new.

[Mike D]

Originally Posted by Idle

A quick way to tell if a Mercedes from that era has self leveling is to look at the left side of the front of the engine. That's where the hydraulic pump would be located. All of them I have ever seen, and you see them 560SELs, 300TDTs and 6.9s, are located there.

.

None of them are the W115 model being discussed.

Regarding the "European options" as per the posted link, the 240D is not listed.

But no matter. The poster received the answer he needed.

[Idle]

Originally Posted by Mike D

None of them are the W115 model being discussed.

Regarding the "European options" as per the posted link, the 240D is not listed.

But no matter. The poster received the answer he needed.

And that's all true. But someday someone else will ask the same question and do the same search. And if they read this they will see that all the drawing about and looking for rear suspension components is a waste of time. All you need to do is know what you are looking for under the hood.

[Mike D]

True.