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I had my suspension rebuild

Started by Ds58, 19 November 2023, 02:42 AM

Ds58

Hi there

Hope you guys doing well

I had my suspension rebuild and did the oil tank plus the valve

So full system

I have been using the car often

And it's parked indoors

How long should I expect it to last

I already have leaks and issues

I think it's just a year and half years ago

I'm really disappointed

It was sent to germany supposedly

Via a garage in Dubai where I'm based

As you know it's not a small amount

I would like please to have some input

Thank you

SteveDuNord

Hi, DS.

As someone pointed out to me after buying my W116 - you bought a hobby, not a car.  ;D

It's all part of the 'fun'.

These cars have lasted 50 years so I would not be concerned about longevity. Our job is to keep them on the road before we pass them on to the next owners.

Are you experiencing an engine oil leak? Be specific and I'm sure there will be plenty of help and advice on hand.
'77 280se

Ds58

Hey there thanks for reply

The 4 suspension are leaking and also the valve and the rubber cracked

When the car goes down it takes along long time to go up

Maybe 2 hours of driving

And it's getting worse




raueda1

Something is very, very wrong here.  The struts, valves and pump can last decades.  In my time on this board I don't recall anybody needing to rebuild the pump or primary valve/switch. Many have rebuilt or replaced the leveling valves, struts and hoses  (including me).  With age the struts or valves might weep or drip a little, but still work fine.  The spheres are a maintenance item and might not last much more than 5 years.  Taking 2 hours to go up is very, very wrong.  After a proper rebuild the car shouldn't even fall perceptibly at all for days or even weeks, weeks being case for a fully rebuilt system and no drastic temperature swings.  I'm reluctant to say that the garage cheated you, but whatever was done certainly wasn't done right.  I'd pay them a visit to seriously discuss.  And if they tell you that this is all normal after just a couple years then they are crooks.  Good luck to you. 
-Dave
Now:  1976 6.9 Euro, 2015 GL550
Before that:  1966 230S, 1964 220SE coupe, 1977 Carrera 3.0

rumb

#4
I for one did rebuild my pump, which it sounds like ypur needs. Note the pump kit is orings and seals, which probably wont repair it as it is just worn out inside.

The rubber valve boot can crack from dry weather and or ozone in the air. Just replaced one on my car. What a lovely exercise as you have to remove the valve to fit new boot on.


Rebuilt struts should not leak that soon. It would be interesting to find out who did the rebuilds.
'68 250S
'77 6.9 Euro
'91 300SE,
'98 SL500
'14 CLS550,
'16 AMG GTS
'21 E450 Cabrio

Gpapaniko

I've rebuilt my own pump, no issues. I agree with the others, the job you had done appears to be poor on what sounds like a 69. I'd be sending it back to fix at their cost or suck it up and find a reliable alternative
Never stop loving
1980 280SEL

Ds58

#6
This was his reply

He isn't standing up for his work that he claims was done in Germany and I paid around 11 thousand US dollars for it ...



"I just had a conversation with the rebuilders and they refused any warranty more than 6 months. Also please be informed we have stopped our commercial business one year ago. We are only doing our in-house stock of cars. Please note someone has lifted the car with out locking the suspension. This can cause more damage. Regards"








Ds58


This is the scope of work that was supposedly done to my car



Description


HYDROPNEUMATIC SUSPENSION SHOCK FRONT

L/S (RE-CON) HYDROPNEUMATIC SUSPENSION



SHOCK FRONT R/S


STRUT RUBBER UPPER MOUNTING


HPF PUMP (RE-CON)


HPF PRESSURE REGULATOR (RE-CON)


HPF AXLE VALVE (RE-CON)


HYDRAULIC ACCUMULATOR SPHERE (OEM/AM)


HYDRAULIC ACCUMULATOR SPHERE


EXHAUST SCREW

adamb

Quote from: Ds58 on 20 November 2023, 10:45 AMThis was his reply

He isn't standing up for his work that he claims was done in Germany and I paid around 11 thousand US dollars for it ...



"I just had a conversation with the rebuilders and they refused any warranty more than 6 months. Also please be informed we have stopped our commercial business one year ago. We are only doing our in-house stock of cars. Please note someone has lifted the car with out locking the suspension. This can cause more damage. Regards"


Lifting the car without locking the suspension does not damage the suspension. While there is pressure remaining in the system the wheels will get "sucked up" as the valves detect the wheel drop and as if it's riding too high. Once reservoir pressure drops nothing further happens. After the engine is restarted and the car is back on its wheels the pressure will rebuild and the vehicle ride height is restored.

Ds58

Quote from: adamb on 20 November 2023, 05:44 PM
Quote from: Ds58 on 20 November 2023, 10:45 AMThis was his reply

He isn't standing up for his work that he claims was done in Germany and I paid around 11 thousand US dollars for it ...



"I just had a conversation with the rebuilders and they refused any warranty more than 6 months. Also please be informed we have stopped our commercial business one year ago. We are only doing our in-house stock of cars. Please note someone has lifted the car with out locking the suspension. This can cause more damage. Regards"


Lifting the car without locking the suspension does not damage the suspension. While there is pressure remaining in the system the wheels will get "sucked up" as the valves detect the wheel drop and as if it's riding too high. Once reservoir pressure drops nothing further happens. After the engine is restarted and the car is back on its wheels the pressure will rebuild and the vehicle ride height is restored.


He is just making things up

Which is a shame tbh

But I guess that says a lot about him and his work and ethics

Randys01

Oh dear!...this sounds like a classic cock up.
Assuming the HPF PUMP was reconned and they did it properly, what's with the front struts leaking?...the pump itself leaking?...even the rear struts?.  there' no mention of them being reconned?. Whats going on here?
And of course, the mob has washed its hands of the job  :'( .

God knows how Consumer Law works in the UAE but ordinarily you would have full recourse to the outfit that took your money...any subbing out to whoever is their problem. Get a local lawyer.

raueda1

It might be useful to find out who it was in Germany that did the work.  There's at least one rebuilder there that is absolutely reliable and does perfect work although slow).  But if others are doing it badly we should know who to avoid.
-Dave
Now:  1976 6.9 Euro, 2015 GL550
Before that:  1966 230S, 1964 220SE coupe, 1977 Carrera 3.0

ramiro

As a german i was in contact with 2 places , one was 2x as expensive and quiete unfriendly , the other one also owns serveral cars with hpf and usually works on 6.9s , but i also had to send him some of my regulators 3 times because they started leaking after a year , but it wasn't a huge problem he just wanted 50 eur for the parts the 2. time and also warned me that if the internals are really worn they can start leaking again.

I actually suspect that my rear regulator didn't like the dirts roads that i drove one season.

Ds58

Quote from: Randys01 on 20 November 2023, 11:10 PMOh dear!...this sounds like a classic cock up.
Assuming the HPF PUMP was reconned and they did it properly, what's with the front struts leaking?...the pump itself leaking?...even the rear struts?.  there' no mention of them being reconned?. Whats going on here?
And of course, the mob has washed its hands of the job  :'( .

God knows how Consumer Law works in the UAE but ordinarily you would have full recourse to the outfit that took your money...any subbing out to whoever is their problem. Get a local lawyer.


All of his work is leaking

And he kept saying my reputation and 40 years so on

I said what the use of you can't stand up for your work

He didn't want to share the contact

Which makes me wonder if he really sent it out to Germany as he claim and what I paid top dollar for

He also worked on my freinds 560 sec

After some time he didn't think it was working well

And guess what, the other shop showed him many things that "my" guy didn't change but charged my friend

 

Ds58

Quote from: ramiro on 21 November 2023, 01:30 PMAs a german i was in contact with 2 places , one was 2x as expensive and quiete unfriendly , the other one also owns serveral cars with hpf and usually works on 6.9s , but i also had to send him some of my regulators 3 times because they started leaking after a year , but it wasn't a huge problem he just wanted 50 eur for the parts the 2. time and also warned me that if the internals are really worn they can start leaking again.

I actually suspect that my rear regulator didn't like the dirts roads that i drove one season.


Do you mind sharing with me the contacts

And the turn around time

And costs

Also how is star motors anyone tried them?

Thanks

U can send me a pvt message or maybe post it here if it's allowed

Thanks