Mercedes ABC Suspension: Valve block rebuild, Accumulator and ABC hose replacement

2003 Mercedes S55 AMG major ABC suspension repair. Front valve block reseal, accumulator replacement, and multiple ABC hose replacement.

[@winstonjohnson2340]

For us Car Buffs, all 2nd or 3rd Owner and enthusiasts of these Iconic Mercs man you're a shining light, a beacon, a lead! Thanks Brother thanks Man

[@7.3ididiesel36]

Thank you. Sadly as time goes by less and less people know how to work on these cars and as they loose value when something expensive brakes some would consider it uneconomical to repair and scrap the car. These cars are worth fixing. My car was almost being sold as a parts car when I got, I fixed everything and it is now my main everyday car. Will have 200k miles soon.

[@winstonjohnson2340]

@@7.3ididiesel36 Yes Broth yes, But the Scene has these cars in very high regard, Your'ne for example: a W220 shaped S55 is well sought after Brother. And that's why mans like you, uploading videos like yours are such comforting hand to hold through what would normally be dark woods. But Car Guys have Vision, we know what these car can look like when stanced properly, and when running properly, and when rimmed up properly and only cinics see the year (read: too old) and the unfeasability (read: not worth it). My C215 with an M137... slammed on ball polished Rotirform CCVs is exemplary of the car scene as it is today. So thank you again, thank you once again Brother.

[@7.3ididiesel36]

@@winstonjohnson2340 Thank you.

[@geni5740]

You are a beast man. I know this is a long shot. But I am noticing a tiny tiny drip by thr driver wheel well of oil or power steering fluid. Any idea where I should start? Or common culprits? You're videos are so detailed I love it.

[@7.3ididiesel36]

Thank you. Most likely it is the ABC system leaking, there are no power steering lines in this area. Could be leaking any where in this area. Remove the driver's side wheel and inner wheel liner and inspect all of the components. If they are just slightly damp and you cannot tell which one is leaking clean them all then drive the car and check again. This should help fine the leak.

[@connor3288]

Great video. Got a question for you. The main pressure abc line (goes from pump/damper, above trans, back down to front block), on passenger side, is it supposed to rest in between wire harness and trans or between wire harness and exhaust? I assume trans side to be further from cat converter. Failed to make mental note this morning. Replacing main pressure line, and already replaced 2 lines going out of front block. Using a lift. I was able to get all pressure line bracket bolts out without raising the engine, on the a/c compressor one had just enough clearance. Wasted a bunch of time, forgot you need to seperate damper to get line out. Lots of up and down on lift. These cars require patience. Much respect for doing this on jackstands. I couldnt do this job at home, its freezing out in MASS. On the lines that cross over from front block, i had to cut near line ends on driver side, so i could use an impact gun and socket on the line end fittings, a wrench wasnt gonna cut it, threads were corroded.

[@7.3ididiesel36]

I'm sorry but I do not remember but I think the main abc pressure line should rest between the exhaust and wiring harness, with the wiring harness being closest to the transmission. These cars do require a lot of patience and can be very frustrating at times, they are super high maintenance. But when these cars are working properly they drive better almost than any other car making it worth it to keep fixing them. If you think Mercedes are hard to work on you should try working on Aston Martins, they are very hard to work on. I would know because I have one.

[@connor3288]

@@7.3ididiesel36 Update: finished job this morning. Wasnt terrible just time consuming. I tried to start installing main line from front block first, that was a big waste of time. If i did job again would probably take 1/4 the time or less. Ended up running pressure line on trans side of wiring harness, looked fine to me, figured to get as far away from cat as possible. It looked like it would be ok either way, i think the main pressure line and front block crossover lines are the ones that go bad most often due to close proximity to engine and cats. When it was leaking it squirted on my RF wheel, gotta check that out on my day off, might need new pads, probably a good idea to replace brake hoses soon too.

[@sewshiestrip]

Great videos, man! Just picked up an 03 S55 and look forward to keeping it in working order, however currently I have some issues. While driving the car back after purchasing it the suspension and steering went stiff. Power steering is still there, can still turn with one hand but with difficulty. Suspension rebounds rather harshly on the highway, rather than floating as it did on the test drive. There is also now a noticeable vibration/rumble in park and while driving. Previous owner replaced pump, all 3 accumulators, and pulsation damper. It had codes for ESP and ABC control module, however they cleared and never came back but steering/ride is still stiff. Car raises/lowers as expected, no noises, and no sagging after sitting for a few days. My next troubleshooting step was to unplug the ABC control module and clean the connector. Any thoughts as to what this could be? I'm wondering if one or both of my engine mounts let go on the trip home and that's what's causing the vibration.

[@7.3ididiesel36]

These cars have adaptive power steering, when driving slow the steering is very light, when driving fast the steering gets heavier for better feedback/ more sporty feel. Try resetting the steering, to do this make sure the car is off with the steering straight. Start the car turn the steering wheel full lock to the left, hold for 5 seconds, turn steering wheel to the right full lock, hold for 5 seconds, straighten steering wheel turn car off, wait few seconds, restart and drive the car. Since the car had ESP codes it seems to me that these problems are caused by the ESP. Might be a bad wheel speed sensor. Had one go bad on my car caused the same steering problem. Scan the car for codes again there is good possibility that the codes came back. You need the proper dealership STAR diagnostic computer. After market scan tools are very limited on these cars. If there are no codes check the event recorder for recorded events. If something abnormal happens it should be recorded even if there is no code. To check the event recorder you must have the STAR diagnostic computer. You can buy a Chinese copy Mercedes Star 3 diagnostic computer for $300-400. The vibration could be caused by bad engine or gearbox mounts, check all of them, they fail quite often on these cars. Hope this helps.

[@sewshiestrip]

@@7.3ididiesel36 Good advice, I'll try the steering reset! I bought an Autel MaxiPRO MP808 off Amazon, it was double the price but it's returnable and usable on other cars, so I'm gonna give it a go for now. So far it's able to do everything I need, I can read all sensor values, do active tests, etc. I saw the speed sensors in there, so I'll record them while driving and see what they say, I'm guessing they should all show the same value when driving straight? I bought the car in Salt Lake and drove it back through the mountains and only started having problem once I reached higher altitudes and colder/wetter conditions. I'm wondering if that had some impact on the steering/suspension system.

[@7.3ididiesel36]

@@sewshiestrip Not sure if the cold/ wet conditions had anything to do with it. If one of the sensors was already compromised and moisture got in then it could cause problems, or this is just a coincidence and the wet conditions have nothing to do with it. Very hard to tell. Check all of the wheel speed sensor plugs for corrosion. The sensor values should be very similar.

[@connor3288]

VERY important question. Do the abc lines going into the front valve block junction with attached accumulator (under front passenger seat area) have orings that seal the lines where you thread the line ends/ fittings in? I tried to loosen lines months ago but couldnt, other than pressure line going in the top. Trying to loosen them made them leak slow. Tryed to tighten up at work on lift today, the pressure line bolt was loose. Afterwards they leaked much more. Hoping its just damaged orings that can be replaced. Not sure if pressure line is seeping anymore. I can no longer safely be under the car while running, it leaks badly when system pressurizes. This whole situation started because many months ago i ordered a couple abc lines because they were sweating a tiny bit, not dripping. I should have left it alone. I wanna sell it asap. 04 s55 60k miles.

[@7.3ididiesel36]

The top line is the main high pressure line that comes from the pump that goes to this valve block it uses two orings on the banjo fitting. The other two lines do not use orings. They use flare fittings similar to brake lines, they can be reused a few times after which the flare fittings will no longer seal. These cars are worth the effort to keep fixing, not many other cars come close to driving as good as these Mercedes do. Mine has over 190k miles.

[@connor3288]

@@7.3ididiesel36 Thanks so much for the reply. I will have to look at my 2 new abc lines i purchased months back. I bought the main pressure line from pump that goes across trans, and a crossover line that goes from front valve block to driverside. Im thinking i overtightened the flare fittings possibly. Not sure if banjo orings are replaceable/reusable. My abc pump has been slowly leaking/seeping from the gasket between the 2 halfs of the pump assembly. Saw what new pumps çost and how involved rebuild is, no thanks. I only had to add fluid every couple months before i messed with the lines. Is it your experience that the flare fittings themselves are only good for a few tightenings, or that the valve block sealing surfaces themselves wear out? It will get fixed eventually. And sold. I don't use car much. It is amazing on highway. But im not in love with the car anymore. I hate the ergonomics of the w220 also, ive tried tons of seat adjustments and cant get upright AND comfortable position. As a mechanic i NEVER want to be working on my own stuff. Curious if you know of any torque specs.

[@Brabus2]

I've got an 03 S55 AMG myself and appreciate your videos. Keep them coming! Any future plans on performance upgrades - Pulley, Headers, throttle body....?

[@7.3ididiesel36]

Thank you. I already have upgraded Bosch intercooler pump, Tarnsgo shift kit, and 543 cc injectors. I would really like to run full E85 with a flex fuel kit. I have been running 5 gallons of E85 per tank mixed with 91 octane petrol, around 20-25% mix for past 2.5 years with no problems at all. Apart from this I like the car the way it is, don't plan to modify it any more. Would like to have the highest millage S55 AMG in the world.