The quick test once you have them out is to insert a blunt rod into the opening and see how far it goes until it hits bottom. The new ones went about half way and the old ones (bad) bottomed out. The ones I worked on had failed years before I got to them so I suppose a more recent failure might not totally disintegrate the bladder. You might have to poke around to find any hole(s). Keep in mind that a failure of the bladder while you are inspecting them might cause the compressed gas to escape violently and propel any inserted object quite rapidly.
-Dave Walton On Thu, Apr 22, 2010 at 11:22 AM, andrew strasfogel <astrasfo...@gmail.com> wrote: > I am not yet convinced without further inspection that faulty > sphere()s is(are) the root cause of my jarring (as opposed to bouncy) ride. > Don't forget that one of the two spheres I installed 18 months ago was new > @$140; the other was used. I will remove and inspect both spheres, but if > the "new" one looks good inside (compared to the other one) I won't replace > it. Since the labor on R/R the accumulators appears to be easy/cheap/DIY I > don't see the problem of experimenting. > > I will also, of course, check for leaks in the SLS and for correct operation > of the rear SLS valve. > > Thanks for your concerns and suggestions. > > Andrew > 1983 300TD and 1985 semi-300TD > On Thu, Apr 22, 2010 at 10:20 AM, Curt Raymond <curtlud...@yahoo.com> wrote: > >> I think in the end it boils down to value for money... How cheap are the >> used spheres? >> Remember these are a wear item, like windshield wipers (well maybe not that >> bad). >> New spheres are $127 apiece from Rusty. So for $250 you'll be set for >> YEARS... >> How much do you value your time, or alternately how much does your mechanic >> charge for installation? Figure the used parts will last at best HALF what >> new ones will so if you take the price of the used spheres TWICE plus >> installation TWICE, plus not having the car TWICE plus your wife ragging on >> you for having an old car that always needs fixing does that balance the >> price differential? >> >> -Curt >> >> Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2010 22:49:02 -0400 >> From: andrew strasfogel <astrasfo...@gmail.com> >> To: Mercedes Discussion List <mercedes@okiebenz.com> >> Subject: Re: [MBZ] Changing 300TD air cells (accumulator spheres) - >> anyone BTDT? >> Message-ID: >> <w2yb8cdcef41004211949u4cd764f5i21350951b9827...@mail.gmail.com> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 >> >> What's wrong with replacing them with a pair of good used spheres? Since >> they are so easy to install, I could take the risk. >> >> Of course, I would have to know how to determine their condition by a mere >> inspection... Any clues? >> >> >> On Wed, Apr 21, 2010 at 9:02 PM, Jim Cathey <j...@windwireless.net> wrote: >> >> > The spheres are the shock absorbers aren't they? When the spheres fail >> the >> >> rear end of the car bounces like a pogo stick... >> >> >> > >> > The spheres are the adjustable auxiliary springs, and to a lesser degree, >> > heat dissipation devices to dump the energy being converted to heat >> > in the orifices and piping. >> > >> > Your usual shock absorber has the 'spheres' internal to itself, >> > and they're not adjustable. (Assuming they have any spring action >> > of their own, which MB's do and maybe Monroes don't.) >> > >> > -- Jim >> > >> >> >> >> _______________________________________ >> http://www.okiebenz.com >> For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com >> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >> >> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >> http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >> > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
