SPOCK:

Unless someone drove it a long time with bad nitrogen cells, the rear struts (they really aren't shocks) will be fine.

If the rear end sits normal height, the worst you will be out is accumlators. Will ride VERY hard in back with bad accumulators (nitrogen cells), since the rear suspension cannot move, only the tires flex. If it sags at the rear, take a look. Leaking struts have to be replaced, but a loose swaybar to valve link can also make the rear droop, so can being low on fluid from a leak in the piping somewhere.

Do a search, this is the same suspension used in the W116 6.9, and the W123/W124 TD/TE wagons.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!