2005 Mercedes SL500 Suspension and Pump Conversion

Today we perform a suspension conversion on this 2005 Mercedes SL500
This video was not sponsored.
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[@rickstrickland8730]

I learned about Mike from Hoovie's Garage and am I ever glad I did!!! I feel as though a lot of local shops across the country are becoming stealerships to a certain degree. Of course, there were other small items that needed attending to on this 20 yr old car. Mike did a great job of fixing all of them for me. I still saved at $1500 after trailering it to him and renting a car to pick up. Looking forward to driving it the next 20 yrs without the worry of ABC. Thanks so much Mike!!! I'm sure I'll need your services again as I complete this Hoover Maneuver😂😂

[@jameszwahlen4299]

What is your opinion of the ride quality after the conversion?

[@rickstrickland8730]

@@jameszwahlen4299 There's no discernible difference between before and after.

[@ozzstars_cars]

Bypass module for the win! Enjoyed the video. -Glen

[@joejaffe]

Welcome back Mike .. great information for Mercedes owner

[@lutomson3496]

Thank you for reminding me of never owning one of these out of warranty...

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@mikeb1039]

Starts about 130k to over 200k I hear........... you just pay it in payments. Or cash.

[@madmike2624]

By the way, your camera work is 100% better and that is an understatement!! Great quality my brother!!!!!

[@hamishcruden7623]

Thanks for a clear and precise lesson on changing the gear. Thank you for this... better than any other tutorial video I have seen!

[@echoman6358]

Happy to see you back! Been wondering where you were. Great video!

[@kblinn68]

love your videos Michael.great to see that you are still friends with Daniel.you both are exceptional auto mechanics!

[@TG-ss4he]

Definitely a good alternative and money saver !

[@madmike2624]

Long time no see!! Hope its due being super busy!!

[@organiccold]

This channel is getting better and better every new video

[@mike30534]

Greetings Magic Mike from another Mike, but I'm not magic anymore with a wrench or any other tool. Oddly, I live in N GA, and I'm the one who purchased the 2004 SL500 from Mrs. Wizard. Had it not been for the work you did on it and the new parts you added, I wouldn't have given it a second sniff. I watched all the videos on it and called Crazy D. to close the deal and shipped it east. Same SL500, I think, you had in a video doing the "Rodeo." That one operation convinced me I needed the car! Ever since I bought it I've been traveling around to county fairs and parades demonstrating the Rodeo abilities to huge crowds. LOL Actually, my son is an ASE Master Technician and works as an instructor for a manufacturer whose name I won't mention, but Mercedes merged with them, and some funky cars emerged before they parted ways. He called one night when he had my SL500 and said, "Dad, Look what I can make your car do." I responded, "...well, Magic Mike did that on one of Wizard's videos, so that's not its First Rodeo! (once-in-a-lifetime chance to use that joke.) Hoovie autographed it before it left and I'm now looking out across my fleet at it. Its lifestyle isn't quite sedentary so far, besides, my last blocks were used under my Camaro. I think a Mercedes should have bricks instead of blocks, It's a great car and nothing you repaired has broken. Thanks for being its caretaker! And yes, I have been a subscriber since tour channel was announced.

[@BurntOrangeHorn78]

Good to see you and Daniel working together. I really don't understand why you don't remove all the plumbing, pumps and reservoirs for the ABC system. Seems like you just carrying around dead weight.

[@magicmikethemechanic]

I wonder what the total weight of all the ABC components would be

[@markcoomber6282]

About 100lbs.

[@mikeb1039]

@@magicmikethemechanic over 200lbs difference! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWWlp4aPgbZ5brc 47:15 starts

[@mikeb1039]

@@markcoomber6282 NO. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWWlp4aPgbZ5brc 47:15

[@mikeb1039]

@@magicmikethemechanic over 250lbs with fluids

[@steelwheels327]

Man , where you have been MM? You were missed

[@petrosaguilar8916]

You're the man Mike.

[@ChrisRodgers-z6j]

Mike ABC light just came on. This is a 2004 SL500. 47,000 miles. I'm the second owner. Have had the car since 2006. The additional light shows "Drive safely. Is this a dealer first item to look At?

[@southhillfarm2795]

Where the hell have you been?

[@1995RangeRover]

Now it's reliable :)

[@AraCarrano]

Nice, thanks for the video of the mechanical work. Was there any coding work on modules needed? Would love to see that work. "Stares in Hexadecimal"

[@magicmikethemechanic]

No coding needed to the modules. The control module bypass I used was 4 wires and splice into the harness under the steering column.

[@farcohollis1369]

👍🏻

[@chriszaiser]

What about idiots like myself that already dumped $12,774 on my SL550 last week. The accumulators and suspension were replaced under the previous owner along with all the hydraulic cylinders for the top. How many miles do you usually get out of the ABC stuff? I mean, it's only money right, you can't take it with you.

[@magicmikethemechanic]

ABC systems are tricky to guess how long components will last. The hydraulic top repair is worth it for sure. The suspension conversion may be worth it in the future if the ABC repairs become too frequent.

[@chriszaiser]

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. ​@@magicmikethemechanic

[@petrosaguilar8916]

What exactly did you replace for that $13k?

[@BorjaDe]

Mike unless you upload at least twice a week I dont see your channel ever taking off. Good luck

[@wacabby]

I feel like there would have been some options to get a single hydraulic hose line made up even at an industrial hose and fitting house, but in the end, the customer is the one deciding. Perhaps coil conversion is lower cost over time, but it's really destroying the intention of the vehicle. It's easy for me to say, as a red seal heavy equipment tech, hydraulic theory and application is very familiar for me, along with air suspension systems.

[@ssjlkrillin]

As a W220 owner experiencing a similar issue, I have to agree, which is why I stayed with the ABC hydraulic suspension. My ride was smooth as silk, and I want to keep it that way. A coilover suspension is a performance suspension and will lend itself to a hard, jarring ride that, on the smoothest roads, will make for a difficult adjustment. That kind of ride worked for my M3, but I don't want it on a Mercedes.

[@mikeb1039]

There is a source for flexible lines with 3000psi fittings to replace the 'car killer' line.

[@jackwood8307]

❤

[@thedoo777]

I have installed coilovers on mine, it cost me $659 plus the price of hiro oilovers$995,, is handling better and I think it picked up a little bit of speed. Do it do it, unless you drive in Grandpa's mode.

[@WilliamLovings-i6c]

Where can I get this done in Richmond Va?

[@genemoreno6557]

Hi Mike where can i buy the control module bypass for ABC SL500?

[@markcarter9476]

Converting any Mercedes from the ABC suspension to coilovers seems to me a retrograde move. The ABC suspension is a massive part of the appeal of these cars, with their sublime ride quality. These were very expansion cars when new, so replacements parts will be correspondingly expensive. However, there are a number of companies now offering rebuilt ABC struts at a fraction of the cost of new Mercedes units. Removal and fitting is relatively simple and well with the abilities of a home mechanic. An ABC fluid flush is also a DIY task and will resolve / prevent many of the issues with ABC suspension. I maintain a 2000 CL500 and a 2007 SL350 (with ABC option) at home for reasonable cost.

[@petrosaguilar8916]

I know. I don't understand why people do this same with converting air springs to steel.

[@Kapok6]

Did you install a swaybar as well?

[@antonioflake5919]

Do you know anyone who does it in Los Angeles California

[@CL500MBZ]

Why strut master? Silvers or Hiro would be so much better. Regardless the video is great.

[@tracybrooks215]

Hey what happened to you! Your not posting on KZbin anymore or what

[@spookbridges5025]

Hey boss what's the address to your shop I need the same job did to my mercedes sl500

[@Bonky777]

Why so few videos?

[@noonehere1793]

Best thing you can to to rid yourself of that alphabet suspension….👍👍

[@mikeb1039]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWWlp4aPgbZ5brc Weight starts at 47:10 - impressive pile of parts - total weight over 260lbs with fluids. Struts weight 42lbs. Savings of about 220lbs!!!!

[@oglaceddrug]

That interior is embarrassing as a Mercedes owner 😶 … these cars will serve you well if you treat them right .