I had to release pressure in the four-wheel SLS system (aka 6.9-style Hydramat) of my Euro 500SEL thanks to a leak at the banjo fitting on the high-pressure side of the hydraulic pump. For some reason the copper washers suddenly decided to not seal well. I used Philip M.'s trick with a propane torch and cold water (thanks, Philip!) to re-anneal them nice and soft. Put things back together, added some fluid, and there's no leak now that I can tell.
However, although the suspension idiot light on the dash is out (indicating, I believe, that the overall pressure in the system is within specs), the back end of the car now won't rise up from kneeling-camel position. I had already disconnected the level control valve in the rear from the sway bar, so I was able to reach in from the side with a broom handle and move the arm on the valve slowly up and down for about a minute, which I thought was the proper way to quickly bleed the system. The back end is still all the way down, though. Is there still air in the system, maybe? A greater concern, though, is that, looking at the FSM, I was horrified to see that you're only supposed to move the arm on the level control valve no more than 45 degrees from the central position---too far, and it "may result in damage to valve balls and therefore in internal leaking of level controller." I was definitely moving the darn thing past that point. Did I break something? Why didn't they just design the valve so that the arm's range of motion is limited to the safe area? The last one of those valves I saw on eBay went for $850, and while there's a place now that rebuilds SLS and Hydramat parts---www.activesuspensionsystems.com---I haven't even dared to ask them what a valve rebuild would cost. Ack! Alex _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
