Replace Accumulators 85 300TD - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

shear2001 · #1 01-13-2005, 11:40 PM

My 300TD wagon sits very low when parked. It doesn't seem to rise much when I drive and seems to ride hard. The level control system is working, I had a load in the back and saw it rise. Should I replace the Accumulators.? Is it worth replacing, or should I just live with it. Is it a difficult job to replace them?

1983 300TD · #2 01-14-2005, 08:18 AM

Replacing them isn't that difficult. I did them on my car, and it made a nice difference. Two things to check before you do, though,:
1. Make sure your struts aren't leaking. If they are all oily and gross, you've got bigger problems than the accumulators.
2. Dissconnect the linkage that attaches itself to the control valve (that little silver looking box). After doing this, raise the little arm on the control valve up, while the car is running, and see how high the rear end of that car will actually go. This can give you a nice idea of where you would like to get it.

Hope it all goes well. Of course, make sure your hydro fluid is topped off.
Damon Fite

R Leo · #3 01-14-2005, 08:35 AM

I would definitely go to Sears and invest in a selection of metric flare nut wrenches to assist in dissasembly; you certainly do not want to damage the fittings on any of these parts. They will be hard to remove haivng been connected for 19-odd years.

When I did the R&R on my accumulators, I used my SAE flare wrenches because I had never seen metric flare wrenches until last week. THey worked, but just barely.

dannym · #4 01-14-2005, 10:07 AM

Hey,
Flare nut wrenches are a very handy tool to have around. Also very expensive. For me anyway.
If your going to purchase a set I would recommend getting the best you can get. Like Snap-on, Sears would be ok I guess but not Ace hardware or Walmart. If they even sell them.

The reason is the cheaper brands aren't as sturdy and give a lot of play with the boxed end being open the way they are.

Just my 2c.

Danny

kerry · #5 01-14-2005, 10:23 AM

A couple of years ago, someone posted that accumulators can be recharged. They said it is routine for Citroens. Contact your local Citroen dealer for info.

lrg · #6 01-14-2005, 01:44 PM

If you have a hard ride it's probably bad accumulators which are easy (but a bit messy) to replace. I also recommend using a flare wrench. If the car pumps up a bit when you start it after it's been sitting a while that's not the accumulators, it's an internal leak in the valve (the square box near the diff. referred to on an earlier post) that allows the fluid to drain out under the weight of the car when the engine is stopped. It's mostly just an annoyance but can be fixed fairly easily by rebuilding the valve. The dealer sells a kit to rebuild it for about $80 IIRC and the job involves removing the valve assembly, taking it apart and replacing various O-rings and gaskets. I did both the accumulators and valve rebuild and now my ride height is correct, doesn't sag overnight and the ride is much improved. If you are going to keep the car a while it's a worthwhile expense IMHO.

lrg · #7 01-14-2005, 01:51 PM

Kerry,
I think some of the early Citroens had a provision to add nitrogen to the accumulators to adjust the ride quality. Rebuilding is different because the accumulators usually fail due to a rupturing of the rubber bladder that separates the gas from the fluid so they need to be split open and resealed, not an easy job. Besides, you'll want to replace not repair your accumulators and keep the old ones because once you remove the mounting brackets they make great Bocce balls.

LRG