W124 - do rear autolevel shocks wear out?
 

I've got some floating over heavy bumps, and I can bottom out the rear if I really launch it off an "air" bump on the kids' favorite bumpy road. Otherwise, damping is pretty good.

After 250k miles, even though the pump/valve/accumulators/etc have been kept in good working order, does the damping weaken on those autoleveling rear shocks? If so, what to replace to get back that typical Germanic firm damping?

thx!!

The rear "spring legs" (shocks) on self leveling cars wear out when the rear springs sag and MAKE the leveling system operate all of the time. THE shock "action" takes place in the accumulators! IF they are bad then the wear in the legs will cause them to start knocking OR leaking!

Leveling system cars NEED to be level with the leveling system disabled! Rear springs & or pads need replaced if the car isn't level in that condition!

So if the car is level at rest after sitting for 2 weeks without starting it, can I assume that my rear springs and pads are OK? Or will the autoleveling system hold pressure even long after the motor's turned off? In that case, do I need to take off the pump drive belt and drive it around a bit to see if the rear is too low?

On another topic, I see that you had a 1986 190e 2.3 16V 2.5. I have seen a few 190s badged as 190E 16V 2.5 here in Yurrup. That must be what you had too. I didn't know MBZ sold that in in NA.

I modified the 2.3 with the 2.5 crank/rods/pistons! SO it was a USA 2.5L 16V.

The engine made 200+ HP on dyno. NOW lives in VA beach.


To see if the leveling system is HOLDING the car level instead of the springs you must disconnect the leveling system ROD from the valve & lower the lever on the leveling valve to bleed fluid pressure from the system (car running). BE careful that the car doesn't crush YOU if it lowers that much.