How can you really tell if the rear auto leveling suspension is operating properly?

The rear of my wagon doesn't really sag but it often appears to be "unlevel". Actually it appears to be in the lower than level state. I had the fluid replaced a few months ago.

Since the front has been redone I would like to have the rear in proper working order as well

thanks in advance,
Andrew

Hi Andrew,

Check the system by having the car running (in park & P brake on), then stand on the rear bumper. Whithin a couple of seconds you should feel the rear lift ever so slightly, you may even hear the system at work.

As far as unlevel, there is a adjustable linkage under the car at the control box, just foward of the rear axle. I too thought my 82TD sat lower than it shoud when I bought it, so I made this adjustent and all is well.

See ya on Saturday if your going.

~George~

HI,

After reading about you adjusting the lever arm on the self leveling system it got me to thinking about my 300 TE (1991). I believe it has the same system you described.

'Which way do you adjust the arm to get a higher level? I noticed the arm has 3 holes in it to set also. My goal is to raise the level. What do you recommend?

Thanks,

Bert (bertpoirier@hotmail.com)

Only adjust the arm on a lift. If its like the 123's it has a locknut that you loosen and adjust the arms position against the link that attaches to the sway bar. If you adjust it it is possible to let the chassis drop down, you wouldn't want to get squished under the car.
This is one thing I let my Indy do, mine was out of adjustment once and the car was riding too high.
Another reason some vehicles tend to drop is the Nitrogen cells go bad. Common failure for the SLS, accompanied by bounce.

__________________
'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!

The suspension raises when the arm moves upwards, so shorten the link to adjust the suspension to a higher position. According to the MB service manual, the different holes in the arm are for different models, so it's probably best to leave the link in the hole that it's in now.

__________________
1984 MB 300TD
2003 Subaru WRX

I am finding out that if I added 2-3 passengers in the rear of the station wagon, the car level is extraordinarily low. Would it help if I disconnected the adjustment arm altogether?

Is it possible, I just need new shocks?

Thanks,

Bert

Just out of curiosity, what Service Manuals for your car do you use. I have one by Brooklands Books called Mercedes W124 1985-1995 and don't find it much good. I also have the cds (so called service manuals) but they too have very little on them and I could not find anything on the leveling system.

Thanks again.