Heads up SLS Pressurized Speres may be NLA in the US! (Incorrect rumor - avail as of Aug 3, 2024)

[Ascension]

The reason is new fed regulations on shipping pressurized spheres has them designated as a hazard to ship. Just saw a notice on Rocky Mt Euro that they were no longer able to ship them. Check with a couple other places and same thing. I will need a pair soon on the wagon, so if the 500 system used spheres or you have another Mec with SLS that uses these, heads up!!

 

[AMG5PT4]

I just bought 2 used and 4 new spheres for the W126. Two of the new were from MB and had to come from Germany. Picked up one of them 2 weeks ago from the dealer and the other yesterday from the dealer.;

 

[TimL]

I bought a set from one of the husker sites (mboemparts) about two months ago and they shipped them. Hopefully they continue to be available and shippable

 

[Ascension]

I was able to buy a set from FCP with free shipping yesterday. How long they will be available to ship is a ?
Rocky Mountain Euro has them listed now as shipping not available will call only. It was a change in designation with pressurized spheres now being declared they are dangerous to ship from DOT that is causing this. Act accordingly guys!

 

[emerydc8]

Do we have any evidence that W124 parts have been produced in the past six months, or are we just buying up the last of what’s left in world inventory, presuming someone at the top made the decision to pull the plug on supporting older vehicles. I doubt they would put out a memo on a decision like that. As others have pointed out, it wouldn’t fit well with their Mercedes Classic support propaganda.

 

[Jlaa]

Do we have any evidence that W124 parts have been produced in the past six months, or are we just buying up the last of what’s left in world inventory, presuming someone at the top made the decision to pull the plug on supporting older vehicles. I doubt they would put out a memo on a decision like that. As others have pointed out, it wouldn’t fit well with their Mercedes Classic support propaganda.

For the loooooongest time (years) this was NLA, but then recently I was able to find this ---- see the 2024 production date (I think?).
It is a sealing ring for the rear axle for the 124 --- to be fitted for rough service conditions. This part would seem to me to be as esoteric as it gets...

 

[emerydc8]

This is promising. At least there’s a ray of hope. Maybe we’ll see the neutral safety switch someday. Thanks for posting @Jlaa.

 

[gsxr]

Uh... are we certain that is not October 24, 2001?

I hate date codes that don't have 4-digit years! Edit - see below, pretty sure the seal above is 2001 vintage (a very good year for CV joint seals, from what I hear):

 

[TimL]

Yeah, that’s the German way of writing dates. That date is definitely 2001

 

[Jlaa]

It's just incredible. I would be actually scared to drive W124 this fast. It was probably never designed to reach more than 300km/h. You can actually see the hood lifting around 180km/h probably because of worn out hinges. There is also something flapping around in the front left corner.

Besides that, this car just goes like nothing. No noise, no engine sound, it almost feels like an electric car. I'm more than impressed and my mind is blown.

Uh... are we certain that is not October 24, 2001?

I hate date codes that don't have 4-digit years! Edit - see below, pretty sure the seal above is 2001 vintage (a very good year for CV joint seals, from what I hear):

View attachment 195099

Yeah, that’s the German way of writing dates. That date is definitely 2001

Doh!!

 

[natejgreene9871]

what a joke, these are used on lots of cars not just the w124. Surely there will be some other way to get them right??? How long do these last and do they have rubber inside?

 

[gsxr]

what a joke, these are used on lots of cars not just the w124. Surely there will be some other way to get them right??? How long do these last and do they have rubber inside?

AFAICT the spheres are still available, but some vendors refuse to ship them. For now, just shop around until you find a vendor that will ship. Worst case, buy from the local dealer.

 

[gerryvz]

For the loooooongest time (years) this was NLA, but then recently I was able to find this ---- see the 2024 production date (I think?).
It is a sealing ring for the rear axle for the 124 --- to be fitted for rough service conditions. This part would seem to me to be as esoteric as it gets...

View attachment 195080


View attachment 195100

Yep, that is October 24, 2001.

 

[1994e500]

Classic Center is still shipping spheres albeit at a higher hazardous shipment rate. The other good news is that the date of manufacture is recent: 2024-03-14.

 

[natejgreene9871]

Classic Center is still shipping spheres albeit at a higher hazardous shipment rate. The other good news is that the date of manufacture is recent: 2024-03-14.

do these spheres wear out with age or mileage? I assume they are rubber inside so age is most important ?

 

[gsxr]

do these spheres wear out with age or mileage? I assume they are rubber inside so age is most important ?

They are more likely affected by mileage. While the internal diaphragm is likely some sort of rubber, it's isolated from the atmosphere. One side sees a sealed nitrogen chamber, the other side is hydraulic fluid. The diaphragm will only flex/move when the suspension moves. The spheres are not a super common failure IMO. I've never replaced them on any of my cars over 20+ years.

 

[natejgreene9871]

They are more likely affected by mileage. While the internal diaphragm is likely some sort of rubber, it's isolated from the atmosphere. One side sees a sealed nitrogen chamber, the other side is hydraulic fluid. The diaphragm will only flex/move when the suspension moves. The spheres are not a super common failure IMO. I've never replaced them on any of my cars over 20+ years.

That makes me feel better as there really are no options once they go nla. I’ve been looking at 600sl r129’s and I believe they use the same part. Thanks for the input.

 

[nocfn]

You are lucky Dave. I have replaced 25 year old MB spheres that were OE on both the 126 and 124, I have replaced Febi that were replacements for the OE on the 126. I have OE spares for both.

 

[195910]

That makes me feel better as there really are no options once they go nla. I’ve been looking at 600sl r129’s and I believe they use the same part. Thanks for the input.

R129 SL600 does use the same spheres.

 

[AMG5PT4]

The nitrogen spheres do eventually fail and are certainly a replacement item for W126 cars with SLS. Of course, the SLS rams are NLA with no alternative for the W126.