Rear Self-Leveling

[Antony]

My '72 self leveling suspension works quite well (it compensates for increased / decreased loads), the problem is that the drivers side of the car is always a little bit lower then the passengers side, regardless of valve setting. Does anybody know of this problem? I've looked, and cannot see any brakes in the spring on the drivers side.
I just thought I'd throw this out and see what information I get back, possibly having overlooked something obvious. Thanks in advance for assistance.

[psfred]

Tired spring on the driver's side, not all that uncommon in cars driven with no passengers by very large drivers. The driver's seat in the 220D is slightly canted from Granda slouching toward the door, driving with one hand out the window and smoking a cigar (I can still smell them on hot days....)

Could also be a tired rubber spring seat, they will go bad and it is, after all, more than 30 years old.

Peter

[300SDog]

Does the '72 220D have self-leveling suspension??

Had always thought the 115's used Bilsteins, indpendent of each other. Possibly you've blown the left front Bilstein gas shock absorber.

In this vintage forum, self-leveling suspension can mean anything from air system 6.9 to hydraulic 6.3 and even including the '60's 300SE Finbody and the 600 Limousine.

Self-leveling suspension, if equipped on your car, is sacred subject of which practically nobody dares to speak.... except maybe on the diesel msg.brd where the issue is addressed at length regarding the W123 station wagons.

[Antony]

thanks to you both for the information. I guess I'll have to take out the springs and look at them more closely. I didn't realize the topic should rarely be discussed, and just for clarification, my rear is the hydraulic type self-leveling.

[joshhol]

Self-leveling on a 220D??!!!
How common is that?

[psfred]

On a 220D, very rare, it was an extra cost option, and most buyers were looking for economy -- hence the fact that most of them have manual windows and trannies.

Peter

[Antony]

I didn't respond to the inquiry about numbers because I simply have no knowledge. The reason that PSFRED gave is most plausible.
It took me about 18 months to find my '72....I was looking for just the car that PSFRED mentioned a "stripped" vehicle.
Mine is manual everything (excepting the rear end), and that is just what I wanted, for the sake of simplicity. In the long run I wanted a car that I could work on with the least complications. I can tell you that the work I have done to date has been a BLAST! This car was really well done when built (I did a full exhaust system and re-used the original clamps and rubber hangers!).
It is my belief that MB made around 400,000 of these sedans. Again, to all who replied, thanks a million.

[300SDog]

OK, owner of exceptionally rare 115 diesel..... Whatever happens and whatever diagnostic/repair is made on the self-leveling suspension - you owe it to the forum that you report your findings on this thread when your car is brought up to snuff.

This vintage forum that archives insights into old world MB's has an exceptionally fine search engine....... and the next person who stumbles onto this thread entitled / search word "self-leveling" might need to know what you discover - seeking illumination on sacred principles of suspension geometry that otherwise go unmentioned and unresolved.

Fair enough??

[Antony]

Believe me when I tell you, after all of the valuable information I've gleaned from others on this forum, I'm always glad to reciprocate.
I'll sort thru this and post what I can.

[Antony]

I'll check the length of the shifter when I get home this afternoon. If the bride allows I may need the information on the spring company; Thanks for the information.

[Antony]

I had to work rather later than I wanted...but here are the dimentions of the shifter in my '72. As measured from the joint that allows the shifter to swivel (I removed the rubber boot and the swivel is approximately at the level of the transmission hump) the distance to the lock nut is 1 1/2", and the total lenght is 7 1/2". The lock nut is where the "rubber", or at least the fatter, part of the shifter begins. I can post a picture if you would like, just let me know.

[Antony]

Here is a photo of my gear shifter (better late then never), I hope that this helps clarify. Just let me know if I can help.