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Garage => Mechanicals => Topic started by: jllgd on 05 September 2019, 05:28 PM

Title: Mercedes 6.9: Suspension strut overhaul
Post by: jllgd on 05 September 2019, 05:28 PM
Who would you contact in California or nearby, to overhaul your leaking Mercedes 6.9 suspension strut?
Any suggestions or recommendations?
Thanks
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: Suspension strut overhaul
Post by: daantjie on 05 September 2019, 05:33 PM
Send them to Martin Werminghausen in Massachusetts.
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: Suspension strut overhaul
Post by: jllgd on 05 September 2019, 06:51 PM
Thanks! Yes, I know of Werminghausen.
But are there anyone with the expertise, perhaps in California?
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: Suspension strut overhaul
Post by: rumb on 06 September 2019, 08:45 AM
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-450-SEL-6-9-W116-1975-1980-Front-Right-OE-Rebuild-Self-Leveling-Shock/223050012716?epid=13021244231&hash=item33eed1182c:g:RWgAAOSwzcJdL2v7
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: Suspension strut overhaul
Post by: jllgd on 06 September 2019, 01:19 PM
The above shop is in Florida.
They list repair service for front struts only.
Anyone have experience with them or know if they do the rear struts as well?

Are there any shops in California that can do a quick strut overhaul?
Thanks
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: Suspension strut overhaul
Post by: jllgd on 08 September 2019, 09:58 PM
Gents,
I am in a somewhat tricky situation.
My 1980 6.9 is at the SoCal Mercedes workshop.
They have suddenly verified that one of my rear suspension struts have a shaft leak, after being bench tested at a reputable Mercedes suspension repair shop.

So since we are taking the 6.9 on a 14 day road trip to Vancouver Canada later this week, I urgently need one rear strut in working condition.

Anyone here that are able to help me out? All suggestions appreciated!
Thanks
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: Suspension strut overhaul
Post by: Randys01 on 09 September 2019, 02:10 AM
there's leak and there's leaks. They nearly all leak one way or the other.!!.  if it can hold the car up over night  soldier on.!
A shaft leak implies it's escaping...weeping.  how fast ?  how visible? how quick is the reservoir going down? 
You have a couple of days to determine if it's a nuisance or game changing.
If it's obvious and a bad weep, and if you can't get a replacement strut, plan on another vehicle. 
These things don't go kaput over night.  I'm suggesting its a like a slow tyre leak.  damn nuisance but can be topped up to keep you going until you can get it fixed.
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: Suspension strut overhaul
Post by: jllgd on 09 September 2019, 09:26 PM
Thanks Randy,
Really appreciate your insight on this subject.
I just talked to the shop owner where my car is and he says now the same thing as you are saying.
It's not really a big leak, more like weeping, as you say.
And car stays up for several days.
So we are inclined to do the road trip to Canada in the 6.9 as planned.

But I find it strange that there are not many who can overhaul these hydraulic struts.
Thanks
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: Suspension strut overhaul
Post by: tcj on 10 September 2019, 03:16 AM
as you want a nearby repair shop for the rare hydraulic shocks its no wonder its difficult to find one.
As Daniel wrote: best thing you can do is to send them to Martin Werminghausen.
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: Suspension strut overhaul
Post by: oversize on 13 September 2019, 04:21 AM
The hardest part is finding seal kits and it seems those that have found suppliers are rather secretive about their research.  I will DIY when I find a source for the seals.  And I will posting my sources here.

You have to keep in mind the factory never intended to repair the struts and it was a dark day when they became NLA and apparently all the tooling was destroyed by Sachs.  The least they could do is provide seals....

I hope the cells don't go the same way and become NLA.  No idea what I'd do then!
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: Suspension strut overhaul
Post by: andrewk on 22 November 2022, 06:52 PM
A small update on this matter, I have also contacted Martin and he has been extremely helpful - and also has the capacity to repair and restore all of the components of the HPF system. I have just bought a pressure gauge set and an inlet filter from him, in order to diagnose the system and get the most serious issues corrected first as it would be prohibitively expensive to do everything all at once (and tedious).
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: Suspension strut overhaul
Post by: rumb on 23 November 2022, 09:35 AM
I sell strut rebuild kits. Look in the Shop section.
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: Suspension strut overhaul
Post by: andrewk on 24 November 2022, 05:46 PM
Quote from: rumb on 23 November 2022, 09:35 AMI sell strut rebuild kits. Look in the Shop section.

where can I find it the shop section?
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: Suspension strut overhaul
Post by: rumb on 24 November 2022, 07:26 PM
https://forum.w116.org/shop/6-9-hydro-strut-rebuild-kits/

Just pm me.
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: Suspension strut overhaul
Post by: goldacre on 24 November 2022, 10:43 PM
Wow, great work rumb  8)

I have the rear only self leveling suspensionso are these the same struts as the 6.9 thus this seal kit can do those as well??

G
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: Suspension strut overhaul
Post by: rumb on 25 November 2022, 11:43 AM
Quote from: goldacre on 24 November 2022, 10:43 PMI have the rear only self leveling suspension so are these the same struts as the 6.9 thus this seal kit can do those as well??


The struts are a different part number so I dont know.  Can you measure the main shaft diameter?
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: Suspension strut overhaul
Post by: raueda1 on 25 November 2022, 11:47 AM
If you want to do it yourself then this may be of interest:

strut rebuild (https://forum.w116.org/mechanicals/rebuilding-6-9-struts/)

I used Robert's kit and had other parts refurbished by tcj.  It wasn't cheap but cheaper than buying rebuilt units with the advantage of knowing the condition of inner components.  Now the car never sags, ever, even after months and holds system pressure perfectly.  The red pressure light only even comes on if car has sat for a month or 2.  Good luck and cheers,
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: Suspension strut overhaul
Post by: goldacre on 25 November 2022, 05:42 PM
Hi rumb, not at that stage yet  :'(

I will be looking at the levelling valve as it's caked in grime so suspect it has a leak/weep and discovered that "Mercedessource" bloke seems to supply a kit and instructions for that.

Was thinking of investing in your kit as a future 'just in case' insurance. But good to know part number is different and wonder if its just a stronger casing given its a spring- less strut?  ???

Thanks for link raueda1 :)

G
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: Suspension strut overhaul
Post by: Randys01 on 29 November 2022, 04:18 AM
NO .  SLS is quite different from HPF.
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: Suspension strut overhaul
Post by: goldacre on 29 November 2022, 05:10 AM
Cheers Randys01... bummer though  :'(

G