My w126 seems to Raise when Reverse is engaged, and Lower when Drive is engaged. Its a 89 300SE with Bilstiens and a H&R spring set going in soon.
Some of you know its a full resto.

Is there something I should be checking when I disassemble the rear suspension soon? Is it common for the W126 body to torque under load?

Yup. Happens on most all independent rear suspension cars. Hold the brake pedal and goose the throttle and it will drop the rear a couple inches.
You notice it more when the engine is cool, and idling faster.
if you don't hear any strange noises back there it's probably okay.

DG

What he said Normal W126

__________________
BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

Thanks guys. I could not see anything that appeared worn. Probably prevalant in the 300se because of the rear end gearing.

unless you hear a clunk its somewhat normal....it can be exagerated if your center differential mount is shot.....which isn't that hard to notice.

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
---------------------
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

My 300SEL with 192k miles would duck up and down between shifts. However my 64k miles 560SEL does not move up or down at all between shifts. There's a big difference in mileage between them... but I have no idea what could cause the up and down motion.

Ugh, well maybe the SLS has a big part to play?

Yeah its normal for non SLS W126's. Replace every rubber bushing under their and it will still do it.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Hatteras... the SLS is only activated with 100kg load, so I highly doubt thats the reason.

What Hatterasguy says is true. All W126 cars without the self level suspension will squat when shifting from D to R and vice-versa. It does not matter how much weight is in the back of the car - it will stay level regardless (that is, unless there is a failure of some kind in the system).

Makes sense, ever try to give an SLS car the "bounce test"? Doesn't work the shocks don't compress like regular ones.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

The reason that the independent rear suspension vehicles do this "squat" or "rise" depending on gear (D or R) is due to the load on the ring gear. In one condition, reverse, the ring gear is forced upward from the pinion gear. This imparts an upward force into the differential case and up into the body. The body then rises slightly and pulls on the springs. The opposite is the situation when the vehicle is put in Drive.

On a vehicle with a solid axle, the upward or downward force in the differential housing is not imparted to the body because the diff is not attached to the body. The upward force (in reverse) would only serve to slightly unload the rear tires. The body is unaffected.

My 85' 380SE also raises/lowers when placed in gear.

__________________
2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4wd
1991 Lincoln Town Car Executive
1991 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1988 Mercedes 300SEL
1972 Chevrolet Caprice Kingswood Estate 9-passenger wagon
1973 Pontiac Grand Ville
(Prior MB's: 1974 240D, 1985 380SE, 1984 190D, 1993 400SEL)

Just another way to confirm you're in a nice German RWD sedan, not some POS Japanese FWD death trap.

Hence, conversation with yourself =>> "Am I dreaming, or am I really smart enough to have purchased a beautiful piece of engineering..... Clunkunk, SINK...... Nope, not dreaming, great to be alive isn't it".

Enjoy your sink (not the one in your kitchen).

Steve

Forgot to mention - my grandfather has a 1990 Mazda 929 sedan. It also does this- rear lowers when in placed in drive and lifts in reverse. It too is a RWD car, with independent rear suspension.

__________________
2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4wd
1991 Lincoln Town Car Executive
1991 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1988 Mercedes 300SEL
1972 Chevrolet Caprice Kingswood Estate 9-passenger wagon
1973 Pontiac Grand Ville
(Prior MB's: 1974 240D, 1985 380SE, 1984 190D, 1993 400SEL)

Any vehicle with the diff attached to the body must exhibit the same behavior to a greater or lesser degree.