w124 wagon...rear sag - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Bio300TDTdriver · #1 12-06-2008, 07:14 PM

The factory ride height requires a special tool and is somewhat complicated from what I remember from the FSM. Click here to read up on it.

locry · #2 12-10-2008, 08:48 AM

thanks for the inputs guys... all of it makes sense... and the SLS does indeed help out a bit as stated... but i also think the point about having extra/undue/unneeded pressure on the SLS because of extra weak springs is also a concern... i might actually look into new springs... as my unassisted springs droop A LOT. as in A LOT.

after all, they are 21 yrs old.

babymog · #3 12-10-2008, 09:41 AM

How many "bumps" are on the edge of the rubber upper spring pad? If less than 4, you can buy a thicker pad and that might cure it. Also, a new pad with the same number of bumps will raise it slightly.

Bob Weir · #4 12-10-2008, 12:02 PM

locry
On 12-5-08 you wrote "the tires still slant a wee bit inwards"
Most likely some of the MANY links in the rear suspension are bad [See attachment [provided by another poster], especially 2 links on top.] . A good alignment shop should be able to cure the "slant".

Regarding the ride height, it's most likely the bushing on top of spring is worn rather than the spring.

IMHO, you're over reacting, thinking the springs are worn out.
It's an MB, the springs better last more than 20 years!!! How many times have you heard of cars having worn out springs?

To avoid the influence of custom wheels and tires: What is the center of star to fender lip measure on each of your 4 wheels???

locry · #5 12-11-2008, 07:43 AM

hehe. the tires are stand8ing straight up now... as the system may have bled itself completely after the accumulator install.

so it's all good.

locry · #6 01-11-2009, 01:10 AM

hmmmmmm.... been thinking about the rear "weak" spring issue further...

some say that weak springs are a non-issue since the SLS makes up for the slack...
some say that a non-working SLS(disconnected) shouldn't make the car sag TOO much
some say that the SLS should be pressurized a bit even when sitting "level"...

i believe the car shouldn't sag TOO much even with a disconnected SLS... simply because when the SLS "makes up" for the slack... more pressure is required to "fill-in" the ram/accumulator system... POSSIBLY, further compressing the nitrogen chamber, thereby lessening it's dampening potential... causing a STIFF ride even with "good" accumulators.

The reason i say this is because when my SLS system was "topped up" with fluid, when i replaced the spheres... the ride was "harsher" than expected...
...now, with a lot less fluid(developed a leak...which is fixed now)... but at a decent ride height...(which indicates enough fluid)... the ride became a lot smoother...... without fluid my rear would sag a LOT.

I believe new springs which would not make the car SAG even with the SLS disconnected would make for a MUCH smoother ride simply because the SLS system, particularly the nitrogen chambers, wouldn't be as compressed to begin with...(unlike a system which needs to make up for the slack brought about by "weak springs"...

right now the ride is "perfect"... with just "enough" fluid running the SLS... which isn't IDEAL... ideally the system should be topped up... if i topped it up the ride would stiffen A LOT. I'm looking at new springs... hoping to solve the properly topped up perfect ride balance.

babymog · #7 01-11-2009, 10:49 AM

Start with new spring pads. If new spring pads aren't enough, go one more bump on the spring pad next time, pads are cheap.

Bob Weir · #8 01-11-2009, 06:28 PM

Your mixing SUBJECTIVE "ride feel of stiff vs soft" vs OBJECTIVE.

OBJECTIVE
Per the 94-95 Repair Manual: ... in ready to drive, the rear is supported by the springs and basic pressure in the system...

With engine running, basic pressure in the system is 133 bar at controller. Return pressure to reservoir is 30 ± 6 bar. When specified ride height is attained, controller goes to neutral position. The basic pressure is maintained by the drain valve in the level controller.

When changing accumulators, sometimes you have to bleed the system at the level controller. With excessively low fluid, you could still have air in the system. With engine OFF, how far below the "min" level is the fluid in the reservoir?

System pressure is tested at the controller. Does controller, accumulators, and rear struts hold pressure for 4 hours?

What is measure of fender lip to star center of each wheel?

SUBJECTIVE
Test drive a few other 94-95 Wagons. How do they compare to yours?

You're forunate to have a wagon with only 70 mi. With 156 on mine, I've recently replaced both front lower control arms & shock struts and SLS accumulators. Visually, I prefer a lower ride height, but that's the nature of mine.

locry · #9 01-17-2009, 09:07 PM

height unloaded=13.5 inches from center of wheel star to fender lip

Bio300TDTdriver · #10 01-17-2009, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by locry

height unloaded=13.5 inches from center of wheel star to fender lip

Where did you get that information?

locry · #11 01-18-2009, 03:48 AM

i measured it myself... does it sound about right?

i'm referring to MY ride height... i also want to know what the PROPER/FACTORY ride height is.

Bio300TDTdriver · #12 01-18-2009, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by locry

i measured it myself... does it sound about right?

i'm referring to MY ride height... i also want to know what the PROPER/FACTORY ride height is.

I guess I need to get my FSM CDs out. They have a tool to measure factory ride height after the system has been worked on. IIRC they don't state a measurement to the fender. I may have mine set at the dealer. If I do, I'll measure the car before I leave the dealer.

Bio300TDTdriver · #13 01-24-2009, 09:49 PM

See post #16 for ride height adjustment. I'm going to see if my dealer still has the tools and if they do I'll have them set mine. I'll measure it and post distances here.

locry · #14 01-24-2009, 10:16 PM

i have yet to bleed my system... haven't had time and access to a ramp... not too confident using jackstands at the moment.

please post your measurements when you get them.

Peyton300TD · #15 07-31-2013, 07:36 PM

I just had the rear spheres replaced on my '95 E320.

symptoms before replacement were bouncey ride in the rear. symptoms are now gone entirely and the ride is smooth.

after the spheres were replaced, the rear was riding pretty high. i asked my mechanic to adjust the ride height so it was even with the front. my front struts and springs are the sportline specs purchased here on peachparts. my mechanic wasn't able to get much travel up or down when adjusting the SLS. he couldn't figure out why, suggesting maybe i needed a new valve.

has anyone dealt with this before? any ideas?

im not a big fan of the 'raked look' my wagon now sports.

picture below is BEFORE the repair at the correct/desired ride height.