If the SLS didn't level/lift, you either have a bad pump (no fluid will be returning to the pump when the car is trying to lift due to inadequate pressure from the pump), or a bad leveling valve (leaking around the spool in the valve and allowing pressure to bypass and return to the reservoir), or no fluid.

The shocks/dampers do all of the damping, regardless of what some have posted, provided there is oil and not gas in them, they have all of the jounce/rebound valving. The accumulators are just that, accumulators, which store the fluid as it moves in/out of the dampers with counterpressure to provide a higher boiling point, prevent cavitation, and provide the pressure to return the fluid to the dampers.

Replacing the accumulator/spheres is fairly simple, but tedious. Removing the rear floor is a bit of a pain (finding the screws and getting the panel un-stuck from the floor), and getting the hydraulic lines' threads to line up can be difficult (the short one from the leveling valve to the Rt accumulator is my favorite). Be sure to get 4 new crush washers with the new spheres.

With bad spheres the SLS should still lift/level (see paragraph 1). When they go bad, the nitrogen escapes into the fluid causing a reduction in damping, after the gas is substantially exhausted you will have a very harsh ride due to the hydrolock (nowhere for the fluid to go upon jounce).

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff