I understand that someone has done a write up about this somewhere, but I've searched and searched and not been able to come up with it.

If you know the kit part number that's needed and / or if you can direct me to installation instructions that would be fantastic and super appreciated.

I haul 4 bikes + gear + people regularly so I could really use the adjustability of an Airlift 1000.



Thank you!

 

Anyone?

 

I bought an Airlift bag kit for my 740 wagon and haven't installed it yet. i took a couple stabs at fitting it and wasn't real happy with how the airbags fit inside the springs, so I still haven't the whole install.

 

Hi Pierce,

Resurrecting a thread to see if you (or anyone) could elaborate on the fit issues. In your case, is this the Air Lift #80753 using factory wagon springs? Air Lift *seems* like a better option than riding on stiffer springs 24/7. I've seen multiple casual references to using the bags but am having problems finding specifics at the moment.

Thanks!

 

i still haven't gotten around to installing it :-/ been mostly driving my 1990 mercedes 300E, and my wife's mercedes '94 e320 wagon has true self leveling hydro-pneumatic rear suspension which rides like a magic carpet no matter what load you put on it.

 

I also have a Mercedes wagon with hydraulic self leveling and know exactly what you mean... but I am still wondering why you said you "weren't real happy" with how the airbags fit inside the springs. Did Airlift misinform you regarding fitting bags marketed for front ends on the Volvo rears? Are they just not well made? Is running the bladder lines the problem?

I have since found a couple discussions regarding installation on 240s but the Airlift kit number mentioned is 60783, not 80753. The general information is helpful but it does make me pause when specifics on previous 740 wagon airlift installs isn't easily discovered though forum and Google searches. I'm sure the info is out there but it's hiding from me at the moment.

 

yeah, that SLS suspension on the mercedes wagons is a magic carpet

my wife's wagon:


the kit they sold me is 80753. not sure what the difference is. reason I haven't installed it is A) I currently have overload springs and want to go back to normal springs first, and B) when I trial fit it, I didn't like how the lower disks just floated around in the spring, it didn't make any sense, and there was nothing there to hold it. I think it needs to be installed with the car on a lift so the wheels are supported, and not hanging down like they were on my jack stands.

 

Okay - got it. All data points are good.

Found a picture of an unknown brand bladder installed in a 745 spring. Rather than blatantly steal the image, it's in this post on turbobricks. It appears to fit the entire spring. He mentions fitting a piece of sheet metal to cover the bottom hole of the spring but it doesn't look like anything is free-floating. I seem to recall another saying he also made a bottom plate but it would take too long to find the specific source.

Good tips on 240 installation in this brickboard post but the procedure appears universal.

Not sure which path I'll take but if I do try the HD springs I'll heed your experience and hang on to the originals just in case. Thanks for sharing.

 

How similar are these to the "load leveling systems" Volvo originally offered? Page 12 of this brochure mentions automatic, semiautomatic, and manual versions, but does not explain them.

 

the volvo automatic system used Boge "Nivomat" shocks to provide the leveling.

no idea what those others were... I suspect they were phased out by the late 80s.

 

That's pretty cool. Page 18 of this brochure breaks the options down a little further. Apparently the semi-automatic and manual versions were pneumatic. The semi-automatic had a compressor and control on the dash. The manual version appears to have had a gauge and Schrader valve in the trunk!