Accumulators- which brand? (self leveling spheres) repost from SL forum
 

I need to replace the accumulators in my SL since the back is riding pretty hard and is too low I'm going to replace all four but I'm listing the back ones for comparison's sake.

I searched on this topic but I can't find anything regarding a comparison between the two brands I see available on Fastlane.

Fastlane has two types of accumulators available:
1st is:
L7040-96308 Accumulator Lemforder
IN STOCK $127.00 $105.89

2nd is:
L7040-96308 Accumulator Corteco/Freudenberg
IN STOCK $127.00 $117.05

Previous threads have said that the Lemforder are close to OEM but no one has mentioned the Corteco/Freudenberg ones' quality.

Does anyone have a preference and why?

I've seen on other threads that I should also replace the shock top bushings? Is this correct?

Is there anything else I should replace besides what I've mentioned and the pump filter?

Finally, has anyone used ceramic brake pads? Other threads have said that there is a possible problem with rotor wear. Has anyone experienced this?

Thanks in advance.

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While I generally advise people to support FastLane, I also routinely look elsewhere, including my local dealership. With a Mercedes-Benz Club of America discount of 20% I find them competitive especially when I need a part that day because of oversight or clumsiness. I catch myself breaking lots of little plastic or other nearby items on 20 year old cars as kind of collateral damage when I go to fix a particular item. Anyway, I buy my spheres (I think they are all about the same) from www.dbdepot.de, and I get Febi-Bilstein units for about the prices you quoted, depending on the Euro. Could be higher now than the last time I did it as the dollar seems to be falling. Sofar, no complaints. Fit perfectly and they ride like the origninals did when they were new. Jim

I purchase more M-B parts than anyone here except stevebfl, I reckon.

I always look for Lemforder, and if avaliable, they get the purchase.
If Lemforder is cheaper than Certeco, all the better.

If the prices were reversed, I'd still go Lemforder based on experience.

Can't say anything bad about Corteco--
just not the long(15 years) track record I have with Lemforder.

Either Lemforder or FEBI-Bilstein are just fine and are of great quality.

Cheers,
Gerry

Well, it sounds like both are good choices with people leaning towards Lemforder. with the added bonus of Lemforder being cheaper.

Too bad I can't get these done at Midas (yeah I know, they're lousy mecahincs) but a lifetime warranty on the accumulators would be nice.

Some mentioned the FEBI-Bilsteins, but I 've never seen them as a choice.

What about the shock bushings, do I need to replace them, or is it just good preventative maintenance?

Thank you to everyone who replied. I hope this fixes the problem.

I'm going with Fastlane since they support this great site.