Rear Shocks

[MY911S]

Which shop rebuilds the rear 500E shocks- thought I saw a post here at one point about a shop in Indiana.

 

[gsxr]

Which shop rebuilds the rear 500E shocks- thought I saw a post here at one point about a shop in Indiana.

Nobody does it right, to date. Full gory details in this thread. Don't waste your money with RMT, they don't actually rebuild anything.

What exactly is wrong with yours? The main failures which render them useless would be if they are leaking fluid, or if the lower spherical joint has completely failed.

 

[MY911S]

Ah got it I was asking for someone else.

Mine are ok.

 

[rayhennig]

Don't waste your money with RMT, they don't actually rebuild anything.

Yes, I get very cross when I see their "repaired" EZLs.

These people may be able to repair SLS rams.

R

 

[gsxr]

Yes, I get very cross when I see their "repaired" EZLs.

These people may be able to repair SLS rams.

So far, Kurth has not offered repaired SLS shocks for the 500E.

dasautoganz can repair the lower spherical joint with an aftermarket solution as shown here. However, they do not show replacement of the foam stop buffer, which is another critical item that is often completely gone / missing / disintegrated after 20+ years.

 

[rayhennig]

Kurth has not offered repaired SLS shocks for the 500E.

Ah! They seem to cover the rams for our '94 E280T but, mercifully, they're working for us. I don't know how the E500 rams differ.

R

 

[Rado]

Hello, my rear right is leaking. Is there a new one available to buy since I have a hard time finding it and I see from this post that rebuilding it it’s not an option.

 

[gsxr]

Hello, my rear right is leaking. Is there a new one available to buy since I have a hard time finding it and I see from this post that rebuilding it it’s not an option.

Can you confirm it's leaking fluid from the shock body, at the shaft inside? Leaks are really rare on these.

There's a forum member who has some NOS rear hydrolegs for sale in UK (click here) but the price is eye-watering.

 

[TerryA]

Interesting, he has 3 E500E shocks all priced differently, all say brand new. $2,200, $1,500 & $800. What’s the difference?

 

[Rado]

Can you confirm it's leaking fluid from the shock body, at the shaft inside? Leaks are really rare on these.

There's a forum member who has some NOS rear hydrolegs for sale in UK (click here) but the price is eye-watering.

Leaking from the top of the shock. Will take a pic later on.
Damn, I just started to work on it and while diagnosing all the issues - I found many more that were not there.
Now I’m leaking oil, coolant, hydraulic fluid from the pump, the shock, grease from the rear boot) the only thing not leaking now is the transmission fluid.

 

[gsxr]

Leaking from the top of the shock. Will take a pic later on.

A leak from the top may just be the crush washer at the banjo bolt fitting! If so - easy fix, after depressurizing the system.

The only leak should be the internal seal, which would be located behind the accordion dust boot, and oil would ooze out the bottom drain holes.

Damn, I just started to work on it and while diagnosing all the issues - I found many more that were not there.
Now I’m leaking oil, coolant, hydraulic fluid from the pump, the shock, grease from the rear boot)...

Hydraulic (SLS) fluid leaking from the tandem pump is the front radial seal. Replace the seals, it's a DIY job, you can even leave the pump bolted to the engine if desired.

... the only thing not leaking now is the transmission fluid.

Hey, a win is a win! LOL! Trans leaks are generally not fun to fix.

 

[gsxr]

Interesting, he has 3 E500E shocks all priced differently, all say brand new. $2,200, $1,500 & $800. What’s the difference?

Terry, price breakdown is like this:

£2200 = new OE rear SLS hydroleg (NLA) - Only 1 left​

£1500 = new aftermarket rear SLS hydroleg (NLA) - 6 left​

£800 = new OE rear front strut (NLA) - 8 left​

There are acceptable aftermarket alternatives for the front struts (Bilstein B8, KONI, and some esoteric exotic stuff). Personally, I wouldn't spend £1600 ($2200 USD) plus freight & tariffs for struts unless it was to restore an E60 or other $100k-plus 036. Just get the B8's or KONI.

But for the rear SLS hydrolegs, we're screwed if the old SLS shock is not repairable.

 

[Rado]

Hydraulic (SLS) fluid leaking from the tandem pump is the front radial seal. Replace the seals, it's a DIY job, you can even leave the pump bolted to the engine if desired.

Can I have a part number please? I ordered $3k in parts today already)

 

[gsxr]

Can I have a part number please? I ordered $3k in parts today already)

Need to know which pump you have, ZF or LuK / Vickers. The seal kits are different for each. Find the tag on the side, that will tell you what it is.

 

[Rado]

Looks like mine is zf and I already ordered a few kits)

 

[gsxr]

ZF tandem pump on the E500E should use seal kit p/n 000-460-37-80. Still available new from the dealer, $115 MSRP, ~$90 from discount dealers.

Looks like most / all aftermarket kits are OOS for this part number.