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  #1  
Old 03-16-2009, 10:47 PM
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SLS on Norm, potential problem

Hey guys,

Well since I've been a little worried and since Tyler also noticed that Norm's rear end has been sagging a little bit, I wanted to see what may be the case.

Here is how he stood when I got him, and how he last stood with no load in him before I left. He held this stance all day, on or off:



Now, with roughly 350 pounds in the back he looks like this:



Clearly a big difference.

He is sitting evenly on both sides, and will sit like that rather he is running or not. I checked his SLS pump for fun in FL about a month ago, and saw fluid moving around in there, so the SLS pump was working. I'm going to check it again tomorrow while warming Norm up to see if it is still working.

Otherwise, any thoughts or suggestions on what to do? Are SLS pumps interchangable between other MB models? Could the valve just be stuck closed and not letting the car rise?

Seriously any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Thanks a lot guys!

Colin

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  #2  
Old 03-16-2009, 11:11 PM
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Answer

This may help.

Self Leveling Suspension = SLS hydro pneumatic
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=1155925
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  #3  
Old 03-17-2009, 09:26 AM
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Doesn't Norm look great!!


Hey Colin,
A couple of questions to try and sort this out.
* Does the car raise to proper level when running and just sag when off?
* Has the ride characteristics changed in any way? [harsh, bumpy]
* Are there any fluid leaks/drips in back? [shocks/valve assy/accumulators]
* I'm guessing the fluid level in the reservoir hasn't dropped, or has it?
* Look behind both rear wheels, towards the diff. Look for the plastic sway bar links. Are they both intact, without an end or a ball socket snapped off?

Answers to the above can take us from here. If it just leaks overnight, or while sitting, then the SLS valve probably needs a rebuild. Fluid/pressure can leak past o-rings. Since you have added significant weight back there recently before this trip then you are adding stress to the SLS it might not have had for awhile, and any component that needs freshening up will probably show up during your trek.
Report back on the above, and maybe some SLS experts will also chime in.
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'05 Acura TL 6MT
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Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John
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  #4  
Old 03-17-2009, 09:41 AM
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also get under there and look at the valve and associated lever, and adjusting rod. ramps or stands may be required.
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  #5  
Old 03-17-2009, 09:45 AM
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The pictures are not really comparable because of the angle of the camera and the fact that the second picture is not taken on level ground.
On mine, bad accumulators caused overnight leakdown.
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  #6  
Old 03-17-2009, 09:56 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kerry View Post
The pictures are not really comparable because of the angle of the camera and the fact that the second picture is not taken on level ground.
On mine, bad accumulators caused overnight leakdown.
You can tell by where the rim of the wheel is that its way lower in the second picture.....
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  #7  
Old 03-17-2009, 10:00 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mobetta View Post
also get under there and look at the valve and associated lever, and adjusting rod. ramps or stands may be required.

The ball cups love to crumble, and I've even had one end fall off. Came unscrewed I guess. It is easy for this to loosen up too. Do NOT get under there without ramps or jack stands!!!


Quote:
Originally Posted by kerry View Post
The pictures are not really comparable because of the angle of the camera and the fact that the second picture is not taken on level ground.
On mine, bad accumulators caused overnight leakdown.
I've had this also.

See, I told you the smart guys would chime in......
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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John
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  #8  
Old 03-17-2009, 10:40 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyL View Post

Doesn't Norm look great!!


Hey Colin,
A couple of questions to try and sort this out.
* Does the car raise to proper level when running and just sag when off?
* Has the ride characteristics changed in any way? [harsh, bumpy]
* Are there any fluid leaks/drips in back? [shocks/valve assy/accumulators]
* I'm guessing the fluid level in the reservoir hasn't dropped, or has it?
* Look behind both rear wheels, towards the diff. Look for the plastic sway bar links. Are they both intact, without an end or a ball socket snapped off?

Answers to the above can take us from here. If it just leaks overnight, or while sitting, then the SLS valve probably needs a rebuild. Fluid/pressure can leak past o-rings. Since you have added significant weight back there recently before this trip then you are adding stress to the SLS it might not have had for awhile, and any component that needs freshening up will probably show up during your trek.
Report back on the above, and maybe some SLS experts will also chime in.
Haha, you should have seen him earlier this week. My god he was dirty!

This is what I can tell you so far, but I haven't gotten outside to start him yet:

1. The car does not raise at all, it stays at that level even if it is on. It does not sag any more then that though after sitting over night, it's always at the same level.
2. Honestly, I can't tell. Besides having to duck down a little to see out of the rear window, it rides pretty much the same as I remember.
3. I checked this when I was converting the car, and from what I remember everything was as dry as a bone. Besides the normal dirt buildup, I didn't notice anything out of the usual. I''ll double check though.
4. Nope, not that I could tell! I'll check this as well though just to be sure.
5. Hmmm, not sure what you're talking about but I'm sure that a quick look under the car will tell me! I'll check that too.

I haven't checked anything since being on this trip, however. I'll do a good look around the car when I go warm him up in a few minutes. I do not have ramps, however, so I might not be able to get to do anything until I arrive in Chicago later tonight. I mean there is still some "bounce" in the suspension, it isn't down nearly as bad as Smash was, but it's still down!

Thanks guys, I appreciate it!
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  #9  
Old 03-17-2009, 11:09 AM
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The change in height when running can be very subtle. The best way I have found to detect any increase in height after sitting overnight is to sit in the drivers' seat with my left foot on the ground when starting the car and keep it there for a minute or so. I can detect an increase in height with my foot that I could not detect with my eye.
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  #10  
Old 03-17-2009, 11:18 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kerry View Post
The change in height when running can be very subtle. The best way I have found to detect any increase in height after sitting overnight is to sit in the drivers' seat with my left foot on the ground when starting the car and keep it there for a minute or so. I can detect an increase in height with my foot that I could not detect with my eye.
Yep, that is good. I also close the door, start the car and in the rear view mirror I pick out a spot where I can see the rear bumper also. You can look at the bumper and that fixed spot and watch it move.
When adjusting the adjustment linkage I use a tape measure for reference and go from the bottom of the wheel arch to a spot on the wheel/hubcap.

It shouldn't hurt anything like it is though......
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'05 Acura TL 6MT
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Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John
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  #11  
Old 03-17-2009, 12:10 PM
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Picture time!

I have a video uploading as well.


SLS fluid level was fine, right at the max. However I could NOT tell if it was moving or not. The engine vibration was moving it a little bit, but I don't know if it should move at all unless the valve commands it to.


The valve, although covered with the underliner stuff, looks dry as can be.


Distant shot of the differential. What am I looking for?


One accumulator. Looked dry.


Better shot of my wheel gap.


Better shot of the differential.


This isn't what I'm looking for, is it?


Second accumulator, also dry.


Other side of the valve. This is while running, is the position of the lever correct? Man I so badly want to clean that thing!


More valve.


Valve again. Is that hose kinked?

Give it a few minutes to process, but here is a video of my SLS. My camera cut out after a minute, which sucks, but there is a good 30 seconds after the start where nothing happens. No raise at all. Cold start too by the way

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=474Nqz5ehio
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  #12  
Old 03-17-2009, 12:40 PM
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Good lord, it sure has a protective layer of dirt under there. Looks kind of like stalagmites.

*edit* just saw this video for the first time... classic. I love how they kept the name.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v2DwHKrneI
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Last edited by TylerH860; 03-17-2009 at 12:46 PM.
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  #13  
Old 03-17-2009, 01:00 PM
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^Oh man, you have no idea how much of that fell on my face during the conversion and starter install. It's disgusting, and when it gets in your eyes, UGH the pain!
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  #14  
Old 03-17-2009, 05:17 PM
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The height of the rear end on mine changes when I shift from reverse to drive. When I put it in reverse, the rear end lifts a little, then shifting to drive, the rear end lowers back down to "normal". This is a repeatable occurrence, I figured it was like that so it was easier to see out the back window when backing up, but I've never seen anyone else ever mention it. (come to think of it, I don't know how the SLS system knows which gear the transmission is in).

Also, I think my "normal" may be lower than others, but the system seems to work when driving and the car is loaded.

Colin, if you put a heavy load in the back, does the car sag more or does it stay about the same as unloaded? It sounds like you just need to adjust the control lever on the valve to get the rear end to where you want it. I don't really remember, but isn't the adjustable rod connected to the sway bar with a clamp? If so, the clamp may have been knocked during the installation of your VO lines.
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  #15  
Old 03-17-2009, 05:35 PM
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Maybe it wasn't the best way to check my sls, but here goes: My drive way is like a 30 degree grade into the garage. I parked with my tires at the edge of the garage with the rear of the wagon hanging out over the drive. I disconnected the linkage and manually moved the lever up and down just a little. I suppose it could be dangerous when the rear of the car goes down, but I was on the 30 degree driveway. Later I rebuilt my valve body and replaced the spheres and all is good now.

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