Fixing ABC for FREE on America's cheapest SL500

[@murraycarton3792]

ABC Struts are not to bad for price and are pretty easy to change. Leaking valve blocks can be fixed really cheaply just by replacing the rubber "O" rings. Do not understand why some people are so paranoid over this suspension there is no other that can compare when it comes to ride quality and handling.

[@gotglasses]

I have Owned my SL500 for BBC six years and drive it pretty hard early in the Pandemic when there really were no speed limits to worry about, now I have to take it easy. Hard to do in a car that breaks a 100 on a long pass. The SBC brakes warranty was extended to 25 years so not says something about Mercedes quality. The ABC suspension can be a lifesaver, so keep it and forget coil overs.

[@fredrezfield1629]

@@gotglasses do you have original mercedes wheels ? aftermarket? what size?

[@ardz8279]

2004 R230 (Mars/Stone) - I have not had a shock fail yet, the leaks have happened in other parts of the system: blistered hoses and leaking transmission lines. There is no question that the system is the most awesome suspension I've ever had the privilege of driving 153 mph on. But, the real problem is the sound of the ticking-time-bomb I keep hearing in my head. I just want to enjoy the car and not be repairing it in perpetuity...or driving it and never knowing if I'll make it to where I'm going or get back. Nah, brah...I'm getting coilovers as soon as I can. Dunno if I'll try for the buck-n-half mph with them, but, I can just cruise like a sane driver for the privilege of actually driving an R230.

[@murraycarton3792]

@@ardz8279 Arnott do replacement shocks and give a lifetime warranty. The OEM components are made to a "price" and typically fuck out at under 100k miles. Guess it is human nature to "worry" Coil Overs will not negate all the other things that could fail on the R230. There is not a car made anywhere that does not have problems of some thing or another. Just enjoy your car and do the maintenance when required ...... Have had mine for 9 years .... its just as reliable as any car i have owned prior. Doubt you will suffer much if any depreciation on the car so any repairs aint a problem.

[@turdrocket]

The abc pump replacement is a nightmare on these v8s. And expensive if you don’t do it yourself. That’s why it has a bad wrap. That and the accumulator s that go bad. Seems like once they start going bad it’s everything

[@gerrypalms5147]

Did the coilover conversion on my 03 with failing abc a few weeks ago and it's gonna save me a million future headaches 🤙🏽

[@fredrezfield1629]

how much that cost? i think it's bs $3000 vs replacing a accumulator?

[@gerrypalms5147]

@@fredrezfield1629 Got the coils for 1100 had someone put it in for 1000 and sold the old shocks for 800. Was a great deal and it rides fine.

[@fredrezfield1629]

@@gerrypalms5147 where did you buy your coils? for both front and rear?

[@gerrypalms5147]

@@fredrezfield1629 Amazon. They took w weeks to get here but it was a great purchase. Used a pump from an ml500 for the steering. No sway bars, it rides fine and the heights are adjustable.

[@fredrezfield1629]

@@gerrypalms5147 what about programming ? do you have like ABC message on the dashboard at all times? is it red or grey ?

[@MrBeefsteak6]

the morning I came out to see my sl splayed out in the garage in a puddle of it's fluids reminded me of a homicide investigation, all that was missing was the chalk outline🙂 after two new struts in the back and some pentosin we enjoyed a mostly problem free five years until the rear valve block started leaking a few months ago and momma said it was time to go. superb when it was right and I'll never forget the reactions when the top folded into the trunk.

[@Rafymon98]

I replaced the pressure lines on mu abc system with hard steel lines. No more busted hoses. Made my CL55 enjoyable and reliable for little money.

[@wilbertwilson9387]

Where did you get the hard steel lines? Would like to get for my CL500.

[@fredrezfield1629]

but they rust ?? i have the same issue mine cracked at around the hose clamp

[@gustistan4654]

I would appreciate it if you could explain or even show what you did specifically...because you are skipping the most important things regarding how you went about fixing the leak....

[@yolo-cars]

Thank you for this video. I have 05 SL and my left front corner is sagging if left for about a week. I didn't see any puddles of oil though. I need to inspect it soon. But I'm on the fence if I need to keep ABC in the long run. Folks swap it with coilovers and enjoy it. Like someone wrote in the comments below - you never know if you make it from A to B or if come to your garage tomorrow only to find out car is sagging. I know preventive maintenance is the key but when major components like struts start to fail then the price isn't cheap. Arnott front left ABC strut currently costs $800 at FCP Euro + $300 for core deposite. Regarding core charge they say this: "The customer is responsible for the cost of return shipping". According to USPS shipping 31 lbs in 30x8x8 box from me to their address in CT would cost about $86. So if we add tax then the front strut is over $900. The rear one costs the same. Plus when replacing the strut I guess I'll have to add some fluid. So assuming you may spend about $1000 per year on ABC, then getting coilovers doesn't look bad. Folks swap it and enjoy it...

[@rickrjw]

Great videos. I absolutely love the paint on this car. It’s like a silver with a slight light blue. Gorgeous!!

[@paullongstaff3108]

I think the line you tightened is either the inlet or outlet for the power steering,the single line on the back with the banjo bolt is the ABC line,Also dont you want to heat your wing mirrors anymore and you need to fix the leak into the trunk.Start by cleaning the 4 drain holes along the bottom of the back window.

[@fredrezfield1629]

i have a similar situation on the same side of the car i got a huge leak i heard a pop right after i started the car then lots of fluid dripping the car is bouncing on the front left side so i gotta check to see if it's the accumulator or the hose is rusted ? is that what he did? just tighten one ofthe hoses?

[@davidwilliams4895]

Hi, I see you are about to take a journey on repairing your SL 500. I have the exactly care 04 R230. They are great cars except 2 major item. ABC and the vario cylinder on the top. I've replaced my ABC with Silver Max and they are great. LOVE IT. Currently I'm replacing my rear cylinder on my top. I would assume you have the same issues. For your leak, you may want to grease your rubber seal through out the car. That really helps.

[@tystarks8855]

Lol I’m back again it seems like our car has the same problems. I’m only at 61,000 miles but after doing a little research that’s when the pumps go out. Thanks again.

[@dominicwood3750]

If you went a Mercedes specialist in the UK you would get charged for a new pipe and drain if not a valve block.

[@kishorilalkishoreda5719]

Hey buddy thanks for the tutorials My car suddenly gave me this ABC , car too low warning, I put a full can of this green liquid and now I see that all the fluid is gone, I found a leak under the left front tire, just like yours, but the right front tire is very low too, any tips please

[@mannyrevolorio3807]

I literally have the same problem where the right side is really low and un drivable and the left side has some oil leaking down but is fine. Any updates on your vehicle ?

[@terrycosey2904]

Nice looking getting one and hydraulic is not working on the driver's side. Good information Appreciate

[@jamesfisher684]

Thanks for the video. Have you done a video on how to check the fluid and top off if needed?

[@hodls106]

I have the close trunk lid red sign even tho the trunk is closed do you know what that could be ?

[@datdamndavisboy]

I’m loving the channel!! Looking forward to new videos!!!

[@sluggosloan]

Thanks for another good video. I can't wait to start working on mine!

[@pile-o-projects]

Thanks for watching! I enjoy working on this project and trying to make interesting videos about it.

[@OverDriveSpecial1]

Great info!

[@commasNculture]

I don’t have any leaks or sagging but o notice when the car is idling and parked sometimes one side will raise but then I push the abc button and it can go back to normal. Any ideas ?

[@jasontouchstone7244]

Great video. I have a 04 SL500 that has an heater issue. it only blows heat on the drivers side the passenger side is always cold air. Any idea how to fix this?

[@pile-o-projects]

Not sure how to fix it, but it may be the blend door actuator.

[@brandoncraig1793]

great video, i'm about to tackle some abc issues on my 08 r230, i had my front right strut fully extend while driving, got the abc malfunction in the cluster. I was wondering if you had any idea of the cause of this issue, i was able to get the car home by raising to max ride height and the abc light didnt come back on. Did a little research and i think it may be due to a valve block leaking internally?possibly an accumulator or pulsation dampener, i have no fluid leaking on the ground and the ride height stays consistent with car off? any thoughts on this issue? I also just replaced my radiator a few weeks back, not a bad job over all. Thanks again for the content on this r230 not too many of them on youtube.

[@UWILLMAV4ever]

What is the name of that piece where you tightened the screws? Mine is leaking and I am trying to find a replacement online

[@samanthabrogdon3689]

Have the same one for a year now the abc is on now. It's pancaked while driving scaaarrrryyyyy. Boy.

[@angelofadel936]

Should i do that for all the struts if the entire car is low?

[@kaibinrubber]

Great video! subscribed.

[@franklinpatterson3693]

Nice camera

[@mhyahiyaalrifai]

And mine is always rise up Why

[@megadudecool]

I am a firm believer that when someone decides to convert these cars to conventional suspension the car looses so much value. I love the R230!

[@sluggosloan]

I have the exact same wheels..love 'em. Just dropped a video of it on my channel. Check it out!

[@ardz8279]

My 2004 R230 (Mars/Stone) is like Forest Gump's "Jenny"... Loving her is gonna be heart break for sure. 😪 😩. But, just maybe, isn't the forever fix is only a $1200 set of coilovers? ...then she'll love me for sure. Some coilovers are better than the unknown quantity of getting a different used car, anyway; ...one certainly not as lovely and not the one that took me to 153mph with such grace. I'll keep trying to rescue Jenny...if only for the privilege of maybe having her break my heart...again. #SL_cuck_life

[@pile-o-projects]

What a great analogy!