Self Levelling Rear Suspension W124

[Timster]

Hello.

I'm looking for information on the self levelling rear suspension on my W124 Estate. The previous owner informs me that he had is "pumped up" for caravan towing, which strikes me as a bit bizarre, anyhow - it's in the garage just now and the mechanic is struggling to work out ho it was "pumped up"

Any suggestions?

Also does anyone have the original, correct, settings for the valve in the suspension system?

Cheers in advance!

 

[jaymanek]

im guessing he has adjusted the ride height, you can do this by adjusting the rods at the back...

 

[Dieselman]

Or installed additional spring assisters into the coils. If the ride height is correct then there is nothing to do to the hydraulics.

 

[kth286]

Timster

Tell us exactly what the problem you are having with it.

 

[Number_Cruncher]

The correct way to change the ride height is via changing the rubber stops between the spring and chassis for ones of different thickness. Fiddling with the hydraulic control valve is not a good idea - it will mean that the hydraulic system ends up working far harder than it ought to.

To re-set the hydraulic control valve, you need to simulate the load of 2 front passengers, and 40kg of luggage in the boot. Under this load, you should be able to push a bolt through the hole in the control valve link rod, and it should pass into the hole in the valve body (this is the neutral point of the valve, where it doesn't empty, or fill the actuators). If the bolt doesn't pass through, adjust the length of the link rod accordingly.

Safety note - don't go under the back of an unsupported W124 estate - you could easily be crushed if hydraulic pressure is released while you're under there fiddling with the control valve!