Disabling hydraulic suspension W140 500SEL

[bhatt]

Hello all,

I have a 1992 500SEL (W140) and changed the accumulators over the weekend. Unfortunately, one of the lines got mangled and is now leaking. This is the high pressure line between the left accumulator and left shock.

Is there any way to temporarily disable the system so I can drive the car? The part won't be in for 2-3 days (earliest dealer could get one!) and I'm spending a fortune in cab rides to/from work!

I tried putting the valve in the 'down' position (I think it's called "lower") so that the fluid wouldn't be pumped through the system. Didn't work.. I've pumped a good liter or two onto the ground under the rear of the car.

Only other idea I can think of is to pull that leaky hose and replace with an M16 (16mm) bolt that will plug the hole in the valve. Unfortunately, nobody near me sells a 16mm bolt. I'm in Canada, so there aren't the usual Pep Boys, etc. I tried Canadian Tire and Home Depot, but no luck on large metric bolts (they have lots of 12mm but that doesn't help me!)

Not concerned with a nice-riding car for now.. bumpy is OK as long as I can drive it!

Is there any easy way to shut off the pump (I think the answer is no since it's integrated with the power steering pump) or otherwise disable the system? I have enough oil still in the system that the pump can recirculate it without burning itself out, but if I were to drive the car I'm sure the pump would empty itself in about 15sec and start to burn out.

Any ideas??