Self-Leveling or not?

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BenzComander

MB Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 17, 2004
Messages
1,044
Location
Bucks
Car
E320 Avantgarde Estate
Do all W210 Estates have the self-leveling suspension?

Did a VIN number check on the Russian Merc website and there is no mention that my car has it. Was it an option??

Would it be obvious to see if I jacked the car up, read somewhere that there are suspension spheres under there somewhere :confused:

Cheers,
 
if it's anything like teh system on the W124 the easiest way to "spot" the system is the hydraulic reservoir under the bonnet - it will have a black cap with the words "mercedes benz hydralic fluid" or similar on it and mine is mounted just behind the nearside headlight next to the ABS controller,

On the W124 the spheres are pretty well hidden unless you get right under the car

Andy
 
Thanks Andy, was wondering what that reservoir was :eek:

As it's a hydraulic system, does it need bleeding and the fluid changed on a regular basis, and if so could this have an effect on the ride quality?
 
I can only go on the W124 system..

no it's self bleeding - it's not really a sealed system as such - well not at the front of the car.

The pump sends fluid down to the self levelling valve (mounted between chassis and rear anti roll bar) if that's open (ie the back heavily loaded) then fluid flows into the pressuried part of the system until it lifts it enough to close the valve then even though the pump keeps running it's just circulating the fluid - in the aforementioned cap there is a return pipe. The fluid in the cylinders is pressurised but becasue it's always on the move then it bleeds itself.

Will new fluid help with the ride quality? not even a tiny bit - if the ride has gone a bit harsh and bouncy then the spheres are on their way out. They are metal spheres just like on the old citroens (non repairable) with a neoprene diaphragm seperating the fluid chamber from a nitrogen chamber - this diaphragm eventually splits and the nitrogen gets in the fluid which obviously degrades it's performance - a quick check for this is to release the pressure valve on top of the self levelling valve and see what colour fluid you get out - if it's "milky" then you have a problem. Funnily enough this milky fluid never seems to make it to the reservoir at the front of the car.

HTH

Andy
 
Thanks Andy, very informative.

The ride, particularly from the back is not bouncy; it just seems harsh and does crash over potholes. Thought it may be the dampers, which I suppose would improve the ride as well if I replaced them.

Car has done 136000 miles now so if it's on it's original spheres and dampers they are probably due for a change?

Have changed dampers and springs on other cars before now, but have no experience of self leveling spheres :confused: Is it a DIY or is it best to leave it to a specialist?
 
the spheres are the dampers - the struts you see behind the wheels are there for self levelling only - the nitrogen in the spheres and the hydraulic fluid in the system is your damper and at 136k they are past their sell by date - 100k is recommended "life"

Is it a DIY job? , well it is on a W124 if you are reasonably competant (or tenacious)

here's a how/how not to based on when I did mine. I've done 2 since then and each time it took about 2-3 hours.

Merc book the job at 5 hours labour.

If you need any help - then let me know

Andy
 
MB Russian Website

Where on the site can you get info on your car by giving VIN details?
 
:eek: :eek:

Will take a look and use your "how to" to see if the W210 is much the same, but does sound more than I am equipped for, especially if it all goes Pete Tong :crazy: .

Am speaking to Chris Gray about an A service later, will ask him how much for a sphere change.

Thanks again for the info though.
 
it's not that hard a job - if you know one end of a spanner from the other then it's no problem and immensely satisfying:)

Now if you lived locallly - I'd offer to give you a hand and/or supply the tools :)

Andy
 
andy_k said:
it's not that hard a job - if you know one end of a spanner from the other then it's no problem and immensely satisfying:)

Now if you lived locallly - I'd offer to give you a hand and/or supply the tools :)

Andy

Unfortunately, not local to you but stand by for further questions if you dont mind :D
 

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