After a long abscense, I am back with a request from you expert mechanics re: suspension problem that I am having. I had noted a moderate "bumping" coming from the rear right side. I did not pay much attention to it. I took the car to my "minor" maintenance mechanic and he could not find anything obvious. While I was having some work done on the front shrouding of the car - as I had broken it-, the repairman said that it came from the protector shield that goes over the muffler - it was bent and was banging on top of the muffler. It was bent back into shape and it sort of quieted the bump. But it was still there. Over time, the bumping became a very noticeable thump and thunk even without going over bumps. In any event, yesterday I took it to a mechanic who was highly recommended by another member of the forum. Real nice guy and was able to quickly diagnose the problem to the Auto Level Suspension system. He recommended that I change both the rear shocks, and the pressure reservoirs for both sides. He felt that this would definitely solve the problem. Now, upon inspection of the hydraulic canister in the engine compartment, we noticed that it was empty - I mean bone dry!! We added hydraulic fluid to it to the proper level, and re-inspected the rear shocks for leaks - none were to be found! The shocks are not leaking anywhere and no other leaks were found. The mechanic stated that when this happens, it indicates that the pressure reservoirs are defective since these have a diaphragm inside that can break and that the hydraulic fluid leaks in the reservoirs, thus an empty canister in the engine compartment... makes sense.
Now, I have been thinking about this. I understand that the shocks are about $485 ea. (mine are without Automatic Dampening Suspension - ADS). The pressure reservoirs are about $70 ea., and to install, it is about $400.00 - total cost, about 1600.00!!
Since I added the haydrualic fluid to the reservoir in the engine compartment, the bumping and thunking has actually quieted down a lot - but I still hear it! Not as bad, though. The level has not gone down noticeably.
Now for the question: I feel that at this time, it makes more sense to just change the pressure reservoirs, flush out the system, re-install, then see if the shocks are actually defective. Since there are no leaks on or around the shocks, I do not think these are defective.
What are your opinions on this question? Should I just have the reservoirs replaced, or just do the whole thing and drop the 1600.00 and call it a day?? Have anyone of you had this same situation?? Your input would be greatly appreciated to help me make a decision. Thanks
Vehicle: SEC 600 COUPE (RHD) One of the chosen few.
Location: Leicester UK
Posts: 1,358
RE: Automatic Leveling Suspension
Start with the chapest option first, Change the spheres, you can test if it has worked by disconecting the lever that attatches to the antiroll bar, and moving it up, and down, also check to see if your pump is working , see my gallery there are some bits there might help you.
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Have a BIG one.
Thanks for your help and input. I thoroughly enjoyed Galleries, especially yours. I wished that all of the members would post galleries of their repair projects. I truly feel that this would help the rest of us in making those repairs that we can handle.
I will give this a try as soon as I can. Do these types of rear shocks actually leak when they are defective or not?
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