Strange rear axle compensating system

[GGR]

I came across this picture on the net. Apparently the compensating spring is still in place, and there is an additional compensator fitted in parallel. On the left, it seems to be connected to a hose. It looks like a hydraulic hose, but it could also be air. In the latter case, I would imagine there is a compressor at the other end. The picture is out of this eBay posting, there is no mention made of this system in the descriptive: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Benz-200-Series-convertible-/121612977307?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1c50b2c49b&item=121612977307

Any idea of what that could be? First time I see this.


 

[scoot]

I'm stumped.

[GGR]

On another picture of the add, one can see what could be an air reserve bottle in the left trunk well. I wouldn't be surprised if there is an air compressor somewhere, or may be a valve to put air in the bottle at the gas station. It's quite a neat install, it must be a period after market setup. If so, I'm surprised to see it for the first time.

[hkollan]

Hi Gael,

Thats an original ride height leveling system for w110 and w111s possibly others as well. The rubber bellow is  pumped up via a schraeder valve located in the trunk using compressed air.I remember it from a friends 220 Sb he had back in the eighties.
 Useful to compensate for heavy loads or trailer pulling.

Hans

[GGR]

Hi Hans,

yes, quite a nice setup. Was that a factory option? Never seen it before or even heard about it.

[wwheeler]

I had an old '68 Cadillac in high school and had air shocks with a factory compressor. The compressor broke frequently and most just by passed the compressor and used a schraeder valve in the trunk. Same sort of deal for heavy loads.  I never seen one on a swing axle though. Interesting find.

[hkollan]

Hi Hans,

yes, quite a nice setup. Was that a factory option? Never seen it before or even heard about it.

Hi,

Yes this was original equipment for these cars. I have a description of the system scanned from my old "Einbauanleitung Sonderausstattung" book.
Looking at the system description seems like I misremembered the location of the air fill valve as its mounted next to the fuel filler and not in the trunk.
See attached PDF for a complete description and parts list. Pretty cool stuff. Only seen it once.

Hans

[GGR]

That's cool stuff! Unfortunately there is not enough room on a Pagoda to get it fitted as the gas tank is much closer to the compensating spring. Like Wallace I have seen inflatable rear shock absorbers, mounted on a W111 Coupe. I took them out but I still have them in France in my Father's basement. I've thought of fitting them on the Pagoda as when we went to Yellowstone with all the luggage in the trunk and the rear shelf plus a tank full of gas, rear wheel negative camber was really impressive. Those inflatable shocks would have been terrific!