[ebaftj01]

I'm a long time Mercedes lover, but only a recent owner of my "weekend drive" : 1987 560 SEL. It has 213,000 miles but it drives very good. The only problem I am having is when I drive, the rear of the car bounces too much, messing up the ride. I have looked into it, to replace the shocks (which are self leveling suspension) but I dont know if I should replace the accumulators first, since they're less expensive. An interesting "symptom" is that my rear sits much lower than the front of the car.
From anyone's experience, are the shocks gone, or the accumulators need to be changed? I searched the site, but not much help on this topic. CAn anyone give me advice, link, and/or supplier for these parts? So far I have my eyes on Bilstein.
I'm only 22, hoping to expand to my collection...

 

[jhodg5ck]

Classic signs of your accumulators being shot.. I have two sets sitting on my shelf here so let me know if you are interested!

Jonathan

 

[ebaftj01]

Thank you for replying to my posting. Are your accumulators new/used? How much do you want for them?

 

[Eric]

Jhodg, I might be interested in a set too. I really need some. Not sure how easy the R/R is. I've looked under there and it don't seem to be much space. I bet it gets messy too. I remember somebody doing it not too long ago. I really wanna try. Don't wanna spend $300 for replacement.

 

[jhodg5ck]

I wouldn't sell a set of used accumulators to my worst enemy;-)

I beleive I paid 92 a piece and they are lemforder units.
They are not more then a few months old at this point.

Jonathan

 

[JEFFMG1]

Before you buy accumulators make sure you have oil in the front white plastic container(with a good screen), your pump is working, and no leaks in the system. Make sure the level valve is working on the back axle. Only than if the car is bouncy replace the accumulators.

 

[jhodg5ck]

True...I just assumed an inspection of those bits had already been done[]
Jonathan

 

[NewMBie]

I did mine a couple months ago w/o too much trouble. Just for reference, dealer quoted me $820 for the job, parts plus a relatively cheap $80/H labour.

Please do a search about SLS and accumulators. My car had exactly the same thing like yours - rough ride and low rear end. I flushed the system, change to a new filter and test the valve first. Even the pump, valve and everything else are in working order, the car's rear end still sits low.

The accumulator job should take you about 3 hours max and the system will self bleed so you don't have toworry about the air. Make sure you order quality hydraulic fluid. AFter the accumulator job, the rear end has been up ever since.

 

[ebaftj01]

Thank you all of you for your inputs, but I assumed that everything else is fine. How would I go about checking the level of the pump, or if it leaks or not? Can I reach them from inside if I take off the back seat, or is it done from underneath?
Thank you!

 

[Eric]

Good question... I'm hoping I don't have to go thru the backseat. Hope somebody can tell us []

 

[keifer103]

I have a leak in the left shock/accumulator that I need to fix. I haven't had time to look at it too cosely yet, but I'm thinking it's probably a hose. The leak just started, but before that I had a bouncy ride. Any ideas?

I found some information on this site about replacing the accumulators, and it didn't seem too difficult, so I was going to give it a try. After reading these posts, I found out that I should also test the pump to make sure it is working before I replace the accumulators. I was wondering where the pump is and how to test it.

Thanks

 

[500MPL]

You will need to pull the rear seat out to access the fittings on the accumulators. They are behind large round covers behind the seat backs. Not too difficult.

Make sure to check the system after installing the accumulators to ensure no leaks from the lines to the accumulators.

To check the level of the fluid, look for the fill marks on the tank as well as the small dipstick, marked "OEL" on the reservoir.

To check the valve, slide under the rear of the car and unbolt the linkage from the rear swaybar. Manually push the lever into the up position( towards the spare tire) while the engine is running. The system should raise the car to a level position. Or you can get several large friends to sit on the trunk lip, with the lid open, and see if the car raises itself up. It isn't a fast lift but you will notice a gradual rise in the rear end. Watch the level after you get of the trunk lip and watch the height go back down.

Good luck,

 

[mramay]

Go under the back of the car to see the two grapefruit sized accumulators back there. With the engine off, crack loose one of the larger fittings and let the system bleed down. One bleed does both accumulators.

Take off the larger hose and put a phillips screwdriver into the hole in the end of the accumulator. If it goes in about 2" and stops, then that accumulator is good, go do the other one. If the screwdriver goes all the way in (>4"), then the bladder in the accumulator is blown and you will replace BOTH accumulators. It's that simple. Bad or good with one test.

Three bolts hold the accumulator in place, two fittings. Piece of cake. Buy the new accumulators from Jonathan and drive them for the next fifteen years.

 

[keifer103]

Thanks alot for the information. I just recently bought this car; before it I was driving a 1980 300TD. I just replaced the monovalve on the 560 and, with the information that I found on this site, it was much easier than I exected. You guys make this sound not much harder than the monovalve, so I'm looking forward to doing it. The 300TD also needs the accumulators replaced. As long as I'm succesful with the 560, I'll do the 300's next.

Thanks