300TE hydro"air" shocks/damper bounce test

[qwkcoupe]

Hi!

How do I know if the shock absorber portion of my 300TE Wagon hydropneumatic suspension is working correctly. The accumulators seem to be doing well with even ride.

When changing lanes and etc, should the back of the car track well the front or does the rear tend to lean over into the corner more than the front?
I don't have any real bounce like from totally worn out shocks, it just feels a lot different than the 190e, which I figure it should to a certain extent with more rear body weight. So is it really rear shocks?

Also, from what I can tell in 2 days of ownership, it does not self level front to back, but it is level side to side.

Is the suspension hydro fluid supposed to be clear or red? Mine is brown.

The only Benz I have ever drove is my 190E until two days ago after buying the 300TE.

Thanks,
Brian

[Bio300TDTdriver]

So when you put weight in it with the car running the rear doesn't raise up? The fluid should be a light color and should be MB or Febi fluid. What does your car do when you push down on the bumper? If your accumulators are original they certainly are due for replacement.

There is lots of information under the search at the top. Search for SLS and there is plenty of good reading.

[qwkcoupe]

Thanks for the keyword SLS. I edited my post, but it looks like I said enough in the right way. I have the prior owner maintence records showing the right rear ride hight to be raised an inch, then on another sheet showing an Accumulator, but it might be the fuel pump accumulator. I was under the car a moment ago and did not see any rear spring spacers, so I figure that was really a suspension accumulator. I think the pitch and bobing is a characteristic of this car, particularly with the miniture rear anti-sway bar I saw today.
I'm to to search!

[Bio300TDTdriver]

Originally Posted by qwkcoupe

Thanks for the keyword SLS. I edited my post, but it looks like I said enough in the right way. I have the prior owner maintence records showing the right rear ride hight to be raised an inch, then on another sheet showing an Accumulator, but it might be the fuel pump accumulator. I was under the car a moment ago and did not see any rear spring spacers, so I figure that was really a suspension accumulator. I think the pitch and bobing is a characteristic of this car, particularly with the miniture rear anti-sway bar I saw today.
I'm to to search!

The rear accumulators should be replaced in pairs. It sounds like they might have adjusted the threaded rod to raise the rear up. If you put weight in the car and it is running or when you start it up, the rear should come back up to where it was before the weight was added.

I have the diesel version and I don't consider my ride to be pitching and bobbing; although it might feel that way compared to a 190.

The air cell (accumulators) part numbers are
124 320 03 15
replaced by 140 328 02 15
replaced by 140 328 05 15

If your work order has that number on it then those numbers may help.