Hydropneumatic Compensator

[p.smitty]

Like a lot of W108's, my Hydropneumatic compensator has been replaced with a compensation spring. It rides a bit high and the rear wheels "toe in". Has anyone had any luck finding the original compensators anywhere? How much will an original lower the back end?

Pat

[Benz Dr.]

May or may not lower the rear of your car but it has a good chance of lowering your bank account.

[vntgspd]

I recently replaced the failed hydro compensator in my W111 Coupe with a spring and the camber and ride height is PERFECT. I intentionally sourced a used spring from a W111 coupe so that it would be the right part number and already have "settled". I paid almost as much as the new kits for sale on Ebay/Web but I didn't want to do the labor and end up with the tippy-toe look.


If you can still see the colors on your spring you may be able to track the part number to make sure it's the right one for your car. If not, you should be able to source another (correct) one from a reputable wrecking yard.

[Idle]

I am finding that an increasing number of owners are falling into two groups when it comes to this part: Those that are nuts over originally and those that want their car to work.

I have run across a lot of these cars that apparently were changed to springs many years ago. And they seem to have been good enough for the owners then.

It is possible to still run across the hydro units, and you can still buy them, rebuilt ones, that is, for about $1,700. Since these are under around 600 psi pressure this is not a rebuilt you can do at home.

[bracurrie]

If your car is a nice one and you drive it some, I would replace it. The car behaves better when it is at the right height and the hydro is a neat piece of tech that accomplishes that nicely. https://www.niemoeller.de/en/w108/w108/B018/21/27