TD Rear Shocks - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

diesel don · #1 09-08-2004, 03:06 PM

I'm aware that some have abandoned the TD rear suspension complication by merely installing shocks. However, I can't find any evidence of this per the 'search' function.

I have a 1985 TD that I'm ready to just put rear shocks on. Anybody done this?

Thanks

Don

R Leo · #2 09-08-2004, 03:59 PM

Lots in here about the SLS (search on that, hydropneumatic or self leveling). And, I recall that there was one forumite who made the jump to some sort of shock/spring setup. FWIW, leathermang has an old 300TD parts car that someone has retrofitted with Gabriel (I think) shocks. But, it's not a runner so there's no telling what kind of ride it had.

My opinion is that the best solution overall is to repair the SLS.

Nevertheless, here's some threads:
SLS 1
SLS 2

MTUpower · #3 09-08-2004, 04:21 PM

I gotta second Leo on repairing the SLS as best solution for the long run. Both my wagons work fine after a bit of time in the shop and maint. by me.

Benzcrusher · #4 09-08-2004, 07:00 PM

Hmmm: I can't find my thread from April/May. I ripped out my system, sold the parts and bought a coil-over shock kit from Strutmasters.com. It's their MBZ123 Kit $299 delivered. The used parts sold for $325...

A bit of a pain to install, but so far I am happy. found the thread.....

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=93639

MTUpower · #5 09-08-2004, 07:57 PM

Benzcrusher your thread seems to just end- with no full report as to the usefulness of the kit you installed. How was it to install and now that you 've had some time on it - do you like it?

Benzcrusher · #6 09-08-2004, 08:18 PM

It wasn't all that fun to install, the "kit" does not come with any instruction or hardware, just the shocks as seen in the pics. To install it I had to drill the top mount to fit the new shock shaft and I had to jack the car way up to get enough clearance to install the extended shock. I then had to use a jack to compress the shock at the same time align the bolt holes (trial and error, mucho fustration) I think the first side took 6 hours and the other side took 2 hours..... I still need to cut the top of the shafts off, above the nut, so that the trim panel can go back on..

The car is a restoration project, I've only driven it a few hundred miles... I drive it once a week when I mow the lawn.
I have felt it bottom out once while I was driving in the back yard, the lawn is sloped and terraced not exactly highway conditions.

I did this conversion mainly because I replaced the car's blown motor with a non-TD motor, that opened up the whole what do I do with the rear suspension question....

diesel don · #7 09-08-2004, 09:52 PM

Thanks for all the info and the helpful post to the previous thread. I was overly simplistic in my understanding. I don't like any of my options right now. In some ways, this TD has been more of a pain in the butt than all my sedans put together. This just adds to it and makes a guy want to give up the utility of the wagon for the sedan.

Don

JimmyL · #8 09-08-2004, 10:10 PM

However, whenever the suspension IS working, the car handles very smoothly, and even with 500plus pounds in the back, I never bottomed out. I can't believe a wagon this heavy doesn't have a lot of "roll" when you corner, but it remains horizontally steady. Of course, I did have to buy accumulators, and my valve is leaking a bit, I think.
JL

leathermang · #9 09-08-2004, 10:13 PM

Don, you are probably right...
However, when they are working properly.... the 123 wagon is a most amazingly stable car out on the road....mine would get 27 mpg at 75 and only cost me $2000 in the first place... and felt like a tank....

psfred · #10 09-08-2004, 10:29 PM

The gas engines (at least the sixes) have a pump for the rear suspension on the PS pump. I'd have looked for one of those before I'd have swapped out the rear suspension, I love that SLS.

Peter

MTUpower · #11 09-10-2004, 10:21 PM

I've been running back and forth across florida to the folks to avoid Frances (and now Ivan!) and been running most of the way between 75 and 90+. Just today I had a lowered Jetta pass me lickidy split and I gave the '80 full throttle and hung off his tail until his top speed let him get away. That is until the curves- when he would slow down. I had no need to do so. My '80 wagon has the softer shocks up front and a firm, fully functioning SLS, and new 15 inch 215/60's. It takes the curves like it was on rails and is totally smooth at any speed. My '82 is much quicker to pass others, but has the "sport" shocks (read- stiff shocks) and it drives like a bus with a bad suspension. The stiffer shocks jar the cabin with everysmall bump, and cause the front end to ride higher- and much worse if you ask me, and since I have two wagons with the two setups, I oughta know

Keep the SLS and get soft shocks up front.

leathermang · #12 09-10-2004, 10:38 PM

"I've been running back and forth across florida to the folks to avoid Frances (and now Ivan!)"

I think it is a bad idea to be on a penninsula only a couple of hundred miles wide... which runs North and South.... when that is the general direction which Hurricanes travel in that area...
I suggest you go north so you have the option of turning Right/East or Left/West to try to avoid big storms.....

phantoms · #13 09-11-2004, 12:32 AM

Go north and turn Right and you'll get wet.

I'm watching Ivan with great interest as the track puts it passing to the left of us (giving us the stronger west-side winds). Once it's in the area, I wouldn't have many options as heading west would make me cross paths with it and heading north basically the same. I'm definitely going to keep and eye on it.

MTUpower · #14 09-11-2004, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

"
I suggest you go north so you have the option of turning Right/East or Left/West to try to avoid big storms.....

When 3 million other people have that same "suggestion" in mind and four lanes to do it, you get nowhere fast. When Frances came a-callin' everyone from Miami to West Palm Beach without much thought wanted to head north- and if they did they ran right into the storm, after a nearly two days of bumper to bumper stand still traffic on I-95 and the turnpike. Tens of thousands ran out of fuel and had to stay where they ran out of fuel... and I took the family on the normally three hour drive across (now five due to traffic) and stayed with the folks- A/C, swimming pool, mom's cooking, cold beer... and hurricanes lose power over land. The last couple trips were alone- WPB still does not have power, but I had to return to work. Thanks for the "suggestion" anyways

Q45Denver · #15 09-23-2004, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTUpower

I've been running back and forth across florida to the folks to avoid Frances (and now Ivan!) and been running most of the way between 75 and 90+. Just today I had a lowered Jetta pass me lickidy split and I gave the '80 full throttle and hung off his tail until his top speed let him get away. That is until the curves- when he would slow down. I had no need to do so. My '80 wagon has the softer shocks up front and a firm, fully functioning SLS, and new 15 inch 215/60's. It takes the curves like it was on rails and is totally smooth at any speed. My '82 is much quicker to pass others, but has the "sport" shocks (read- stiff shocks) and it drives like a bus with a bad suspension. The stiffer shocks jar the cabin with everysmall bump, and cause the front end to ride higher- and much worse if you ask me, and since I have two wagons with the two setups, I oughta know

Keep the SLS and get soft shocks up front.

I noticed the increased height in the front also (maybe about 1" higher than the back). From the body to the ground is about 12" clearance with 195/70/14" tires on '82 300TD? Is this normal? I'll check this evening if the SLS comes up with the engine running. Anyone interested in some Bilstein HD's with zero miles.