self leveling valve

[chris-edinburgh]

Hi there,
has anyone stripped down and rebuilt the rear suspension self leveling valve on a 190? i dont think mine is working correctly and was gonna attemp to repair whatever the problem was

Thanks

 

[lookskyward1]

Chris

I've got a 300te and last week stuck the caravan on the back, by the time I got to the bottom of the road the rear had pumped itself up and was doing a good impression of a Range Rover.

When I looked at it the linkeage to the valve, it had a broken ball joint on the lever. I crawled under the car and moved the lever by hand. = down she came, I ve never moved so bl**dy quick. I've not fixed it yet but it should be a straightforward job.

It may be that this is all that is wrong with your car?

 

[andy_k]

I've not stripped one down but there is an overhaul kit - well, an overhaul kit exists but it's not listed on the MB computer and I've lost the part number for it. As far as I know it's a spring, a ball bearing and a couple of seals. The valves are expensive and it's not the quickest of jobs to replace them.

1, you have to disconnect the hydraulic pipes that feed it so you get covered in suspension fluid. The valve does have a drain plug on it but it's a pig to get at - it's quicker to disconnect the main feed to the sphere on the opposite side to the self levelling valve to drain the system (at least this way you are not working on parts covered in sticky ZH fluid).

2, the valve will probably be rusted to the bracket so be ready with a stud extractor just in case - it's an alloy valve with steel bolts holding it in place - we've all been there you use just enough force to crack the rust and the bolt shears off

Alow yourself plenty of time and make sure the car is on solid axle stands before starting on it. I'd advise having a spare set of hydraulic suspension pipes (about £12 from the dealer) just in case the old ones get damaged or prove too stubborn to remove without resorting to a little persuasion

Andy