I've had my 300TD for several weeks. Since I have had it, the ride has gotten a lot bouncier. The hydraulic fluid reservoir has remained full this entire time and I have no reference point for the ride height.

I am suspecting the accumulators based on the threads I have read here. Are they sealed? Or are they operated by the same hydraulics that the "shocks" use? If they use the same hydraulic system the "shocks" use, wouldn't they be leaking and I would be seeing some fluid loss?

Are there any other components I need to check that would cause this problem, the malfunction of which would not cause fluid loss?

BTW...the title is a reference to two of my kids riding in the 3rd row seat...

Reverendxlt

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Reverendxlt

1985 300TD

If the car is riding level but bouncing a lot, its the accumulators are bad, its the internal bladder that lets the nitrogen gas out and they no longer work to absorb flutuations in the fluid pressure as the shocks "do their thing" on bumps.

If the car was jacked way up high in the rear then the SLS valve might be out of whack.

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

so it sounds like they are separate from the hydraulic system?

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Reverendxlt

1985 300TD

They are separate from the 'shocks' which are really hydraulic cylinders but tied into the hydraulic system in order to provide the 'shock' effect.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

ok....that sounds like the gist of my question is on the verge of being answered then.

If the hydraulics provide the "shock effect", and the "shock effect" is not there (i.e.- bouncing around like a frog on crack)... wouldn't this mean a fluid leak somewhere?

I can't find a fluid leak anywhere, and they hydraulic fluid level has remained constant since I have owned the car...

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Reverendxlt

1985 300TD

check the ride height valve for travel. maybe its in FSM ? not sure. pretty easy to spot under the rear forward of the axle iirc.

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1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

No, the shock effect is provided by the hydraulic fluid pushing against a rubber bladder which is pressurized with nitrogen on the other side. A leak of nitrogen will rid the system of any shock effect. A leak in hydraulic fluid, unless it all leaks out, is unlikely to have a big effect on the shock absorption. You most likely need new accumulators.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Ah...that makes more sense... Thanks for the clarification.

Winmutt...will also check that valve. Thanks to you as well.

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Reverendxlt

1985 300TD