The way I understand the system is that the pump is always pumping fluid to the valve in the rear, when the car is running. But when the rear is in a steady state, the fluid being pumped from the pump to the valve is just diverted back to the reservoir. All the pump does is supply pressure to raise the rear. It's not maintaining the height. The valve directs the pressure to raise the rear when needed or directs it back to the reservoir when not needed. If the pump was needed to maintain height then the rear would always sag when the car was turned off.

The SLS is a slow acting system. it takes several seconds for a low rear to raise up. I'd argue that a bump will not cause a major change in fluid flow. There isn't enough time for anything to happen when you hit a bump.

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Lordy, you guys are gonna make me pull this head before I send it to the crusher..

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08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D

Come on everyones doin' it!

Peer pressure's a ***** eh!

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There are threads on that whole issue both here and on BW. There is also a guy who claims that w116 shocks will work, and someone who sourced a replacement non SLS shock in Europe.

It doesn't sound like a cut and dried works or doesn't issue for any of these fixes. Put it this way... when I got my wagon people started the "oooh SLS badbadjuju" stuff on me so I researched the thing.

I decided to start accumulating (no pun intended) used SLS replacement parts. I just don't see ringing endorsements from anyone except the guys who are promoting the fixes....

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

x2

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Spend the money to do a proper valve job, surface head, etc . . . . your head is fine I am sure with 260 on it, but foolish to not do valve job, new stems seals and timing chain with head off -good for another 300,000 miles!

Your level valve had failed. There is NO hysteresis in the level system operation.

No indication that was the case. Car adjusted level just fine both before and since.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Garbage. Shocks and springs can't handle the load changes of both the 1000lb capacity cargo area and a 21 gallon fuel tank behind the axle.

The car isn't moving when its turned off.
Bounce it several times and watch the level go down and it become bouncy.

Gotta admit, I was skeptical about the SLS system but I really do like it. I didn't realize what a good idea it was until was moving to a new apartment. I packed the back end full of stuff and the car rode exactly the same -- it didn't wallow or bottom out.

Watching the back end jump up and then slowly settle down to level every time I unloaded a heavy box of books was amusing.

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1981 Mercedes 300TD, 1994 Honda Civic Del Sol
http://mefi.us/images/fuelly/smallsig-us/67195.pnghttp://mefi.us/images/fuelly/smallsig-us/103885.png

When you push the rear down with the car off you are moving the valve from the neutral (returning flow back to the res) to a fill position. Since the pump is off fluid can flow out of the rear back up to the front. Causing sagging. It has nothing to do with the pump.

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Anyone have a w124 ps/sls pump they want to sell? I want to see how it bolts up and what is involved for brackets and such...

With the overall ratio of of available engines heavily in favor of non wagon engines I see a need for an sls work around. I know you can swap heads and all that but the ease of pulling an engine and swapping in another without engine disassembly is very appealing.

A good DIY on making this change is sorely needed on this forum. Go for it man.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Hey, low mileage wagon motor on SF craig's list!

Really?
I find it amazing you are not getting ringing endorsements from everybody that has a working SLS... it's simply the most amazing feature in ANY car or truck I've ever driven, and that's saying something...
I've put over 1500lbs in my 79 wagon, and the vehicle rode perfectly level, and without sway. I was worried about my tires with that much load, but it handled it perfectly.
every wagon I have the SLS is the first thing I tackle to make sure it's working. and it's usually very simple to repair.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!