[jonojon67]

Hi
I am seeking information on my 1964 Mercedes 300SE.
I have been away for 4 months,and on my return have found that the suspension on my beloved 300se will no longer lift the car.
Prior to going away the car was wilting to the right hand side(rhd) when the suspension was going down after use.
Is there anyone out there who can help me,i have looked on line but cant seem to find any info on this models suspension.
I was told that it could just be some o rings that need replacing,but cant find info on that either.

any help would be great.

Many thanks

JOhn

 

[wbain]

Go visit The International M-100 Group and look at the 6.3 forum. The air suspension system is the same as yours, 600 too. There is a lot of good information in there.

One thing to do is drain the air tank under the front left fender. Push up on the drain valve at the bottom. Be careful, the water is oily and squirts out all over the place.

Please post some pics of this beauty.

 

[flyboyike]

Hi
I am seeking information on my 1964 Mercedes 300SE.
I have been away for 4 months,and on my return have found that the suspension on my beloved 300se will no longer lift the car.
Prior to going away the car was wilting to the right hand side(rhd) when the suspension was going down after use.
Is there anyone out there who can help me,i have looked on line but cant seem to find any info on this models suspension.
I was told that it could just be some o rings that need replacing,but cant find info on that either.

any help would be great.

Many thanks

JOhn

My guess would be that your bellows (a fancy expensive-sounding word for airbags) need replacement, especially if they are original.

Your Parts Search Returned 2 Part(s)

 

[jonojon67]

Go visit The International M-100 Group and look at the 6.3 forum. The air suspension system is the same as yours, 600 too. There is a lot of good information in there.

One thing to do is drain the air tank under the front left fender. Push up on the drain valve at the bottom. Be careful, the water is oily and squirts out all over the place.

Please post some pics of this beauty.

Hi Wbain
thanks for the info,did empty the resovoir but still will not rise.
i alse tried the other site and have picked up some interesting stuff,thanks for that.
i will keep looking and see if any of the other forums will help.
i will put on some pics when i have a bit of time or will get kids to do it as they are better at that kind of thing
Cheers

JOhn

 

[jonojon67]

My guess would be that your bellows (a fancy expensive-sounding word for airbags) need replacement, especially if they are original.

Your Parts Search Returned 2 Part(s)

Hi flyboyike
thanks for the info.
when i purchased the car about a year ago from a private collection,they had owned the car for about 5 yrs and had all the airbags replaced,along with other work at a cost of over $8,000.00 i had been told they were good for about 10yrs.I am hoping i will not have to re do them so soon.
I did read somewhere that the compressor could be at fault,i have only done basic mechanics and dont really know where to start or how to check it,anyone got any ideas???

Cheers

John

 

[bostosh]

Air suspension no mystery

to jonojon67
Thanks Warren, after the draining, locate the Schrader valve on the same tank inside the wheel well. clean it up and blow it up (like a tire) (clever those engineers). after the car is level start listening for leaks, (like a tire). If none are audible, locate with soapy water (like a tire).

There are many potential places which the $8,000 did not fix.
That price should have completely rebuilt the suspension.
Ask for shop receipts and parts documentation.

The problem could be simple or not.
How's that for vague?
There are real experts out there depending which part of the world you are.

If you cannot find leaks nor wish to go ahead with the diagnosis and repair sell one of us the car.

The next item to consider is the motor /transmission condition.

 

[ggsvh]

to jonojon67,
Having dealt with alot of suspension issues of my own over the years the first place I would check is the leveling valve on the side that was leaking down. Star Motors in Endicott,NY does an excellent job of rebuilding those valves and sells them on a core exchange basis. It is not a difficult job to replace them. Use some care when re-attaching air lines and always replace the 'o' rings found in all connections, they can supply those as well. They are not an over the counter item. Get the car pumped up and check all the lines attached to the valve and the center pivot on the suspension link. Minor surface cracks in the rubber of the bellows is acceptable. I did not ask, but will the car raise up while the engine is running? If it does that ok and sinks quickly after you shut it off then it is a fairly major leak and should be easy enough to locate. Also don't forget the fitting on the red steel vessel that the bellows is attached to.