Strange LAD/SLS problem

[Layne]

It started out that the rear was kind of rough, then it got worse and worse until it was completely locked. The only shock absorbing was coming from the tires. Very uncomfortable. So I'm thinking this is usually associated with blown accumlators and I picked up a "good used" set from a member here (they were junk, never buy used ones). The strange part started when I went to swap out the accumulators. I loosened the lines to let the fluid drain, but it wasn't fluid, it was pentosin foam that drained. It was almost entirely gas (air? I don't know) which was foaming up what little liquid was there. It took 30 minutes for all the foam and gas to come out. I removed the driver's side accumulator and could see that the diaphram was intact. The seller was nice enough to leave cut off hoses frozen into the "new" accumulators, and after I got that out I realized there was no diaphram at all remaining in that one. I needed to leave town as soon as possible, so I put my old accumulator back on. Once it was back together and the engine started, the system would not refill. The rear remains almost dragging the ground and very bouncy. Needless to say, I took another car on my weekend trip. I suspect that the control valve is the reason it won't fill the shocks, but could it also be the reason they were locked up before? How did it get full initially if it won't fill now? Where is all the gas in the system coming from?

[shogun]

just a shot in the dark, the gas is from the blown 'bladder', that are usually about 25 bar gas inside there per bladder.
Check the regulator, maybe the lever is lose and does not move anymore.

How the bladder works is shown here in my explanation when we cut off a bomb for demonstration purpose
http://twrite.org/shogunnew/upgrades&fun/cutestuff.html

LAD adjustment
http://twrite.org/shogunnew/fixes/lad.html

[Layne]

The lever is connected normally, but it's difficult for me to do the adjustment properly without a way to lift the car by the tires. I think I'll try swapping the control valve from my parts E32 since I know it works properly.

[Elekta]

I rebuilt that entire accumulator system when I owned the air king. I dunno what Adrian did to it, but those accumulators are barely 5 years old. I thought that new tubing was custom installed for the r&r.

Check your receipts. You should have one from German Auto center for the LAD rebuild. There was a new valve put in also at the time.

Like to see pics of what remainder tubing you speak of.

Best,
G

[Layne]

That's interesting... As I said, the accumlator I removed appeared to be in good shape, despite the rough ride. I think something else is at fault. The hoses to both accumulators are leaking, but I could see the locked suspension creating ultra high pressure and damaging these even if they are just 5 years old.



Like to see pics of what remainder tubing you speak of.

You mean the cut off hoses I mentioned? That was in the replacement accumulators I bought, not the car.

[Layne]

Update: The system does refill, but very very slowly. I put the car on ramps to do the valve adjustment. When it's moved to the drain position, the rear goes down quickly as it should. When the valve is moved to the fill position I can hear the pump start to labor up front, but the lifting cannot be seen or felt. If I leave it that way 5 or 10 minutes though, I can see that it has become higher. When the engine is stopped, it leaks down slowly for several minutes, but does not go all the way to the bottom of it's travel. I'm thinking it must be the pump or the valve at fault, but only the valve could explain why it leaks down at a stop. Perhaps both are bad.

Elekta, the valve and several hoses do appear to be new as you said they should.