R129 suspension oil

[truck71]

Whilst leafing through previous inovices for my car I noticed one to top up the suspension oil- can anyone shed any light on this? As far as I'm aware it's running on conventional springs, does it mean the shocks?

[chazola]

That'll most likely be Hydraulic oil for the self-levelling suspension system. You should have a reservoir in the engine bay where you can check the level.

[truck71]

Yeah that would make sense except I don't think it's an option on the car. There is no interior button to adjust the suspension?

Or have I been a numpty and accidently bought a car with the self levelling suspension and not realised it..

[chazola]

Quite possibly it was standard on your car- I'm not so up on the 129 but if it's the same kind of system as the 124 estate I have, there is no user adjustment (unless you get under the car and adjust the levelling valve). Symptoms of it going wrong are the car sitting too low/harsh ride.

If you scroll through this it'll explain how it works.

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/archive/index.ph...

Edited by chazola on Friday 25th October 12:24

[Howitzer]

My 500e has self leveling, the same as many estates.

You cannot alter the level of the car from the inside, it will just keep a uniform height in the rear end only on mine. Check under the boot carpet, if you have a pair of spheres then these are your dampers, what you see under the car will be the hydraulic self leveling struts.

It's a fantastic system and is very noticeable when 4 up and a packed boot.

Dave!

[truck71]

Thanks both, I'll have a look. Rides and sits just fine so I'm not concerned, be good to know though.

[r129sl]

The R129 was available either with conventional dampers or with "active" dampers, the system being called ADS (and then after 1996, ADS2). The ADS system incorporates a self-levelling on both axles. It also provides variable ride height and roll stiffness according to driving conditions. There was no separate option for a self-levelling rear suspension as found on the 124. The quickest and easiest way to tell whether your car has ADS is to see whether there is a button by the headlamp switch to raise the ride height. There will also be a pump and reservoir in the engine bay, extra pipework around the front suspension turrets and spheres in the spare wheel well.

I think early 129s were available with the electronic, automatic locking rear differential (helpfully known as ASD). This utilises hydraulic suspension fluid in its operation, the pump and reservoir being in the engine bay, so it may be that your car has this option.

[R129 300SL]

Possibly the hydraulic oil for the power hood?

It is a special fluid which I got from the dealers. I think it may be the same as the suspension oil.