Hello: I'm new to the forum and this is my first post. I have just bought a '91 560SEL; actually this is my fourth. Guess I'm addicted and I keep coming back for more! I am interested in defeating the self-leveling suspension, and replacing the rear Nivomat-type shocks with conventional gas-oil shocks. Reason: The rear self-leveling shocks are shot, and I suspect the accumulators too. I'd like to save some bucks, but still have a decent riding/handling 560.
Questions: Is it do-able? Is it practical? Is it possible to defeat the hydraulic pump, perhaps remove the rotor, and then remove all the stuff, i.e., the reservoir, accumulators, control valve and obviously the old Nivomat-type shocks? Is it possible to just leave the pump in place and run the car without hydraulic fluid in the system without having the pump seize-up?
Is there a reason why I wouldn't want to do this? I've done this mod to a Beemer, and got quite a nice improvement in
handling and control of the rear-end. The system is basically the same, Beemer to Merc.
If I were to rebuild the system, who's the best source for reasonable parts? Anything special I should know about this idea/project?!
Many thanks for your thoughts and patience!
Jeff Harrison

 

you only need to use the standard parts without the hydraulic functions.

are you re-conditioning these cars for selling?

 

Hi i was reading through forum and found that you are the owner of several 560 sel. Im the owner of 91 560 sel with 145k mi.. I think I may have rust or debris in my fuel tank.. I have replace the fuel distributor..car ran like a bat out of hell for 10 min then started to sputter and and barely move at all.. checked the eha opv tps all the norms.. have you had an issue with rust in the tank of any of your cars.. thanks in advance
D

 

WHAT WRONG WITH YOUR SUSP.???ITS BOUNEY??IF SO YOU JUST NEED SOME PRESSURE RESIVORS....ITS A GOOD SYSTEM ..DONT CHANGE IT ,,,FIX WHAT BAD...RESIVORS...IF ITS BONCEY ,,,IF NOT THE AJUSTMENT ARM ON THE REAR SWAY BAR MIGHT HAVE MOVED ON YOU ..,,YOU CAN ALSO ADJUST THE HEIGHT IF YOU WANT TO ...LET US KNOW WHATS WRONG????

 

Hi I am new to this forum as well. I have purchaesed a really nice 1987 560SEL japan model. I have noticed my rear is lower than another I looked at and suspect rear suspension problems. I loadedseveral people in the back seat for the wieght and did not notice the car leveling itself. The car rides and drives fine although sometimes it seems a bit too low for the roads here in the Philippines where I am and will have clearence problems from time to time but hell the roads here suck!

I hear that the suspension height is adjustable and if I could just raise the backend I will be happy. The car rarely see's over 60KM/hr anyways so high speed performance it not a priority unfortunately. I did take it out onthe one and only long stretch of roadon the island I am on and I took the car up to 150KM/hr and did not seem to have any trouble.

Anyways the rear end is sagging and if I load the car with a lot of weight it does not adjust the height only goes lower yet. Any sugestionsfrom you veterans will be greatly appreciated.
David

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my 560 sel 88 has a sagin back end.
what can i do to fix that prob ?