x2nervisx

I recently just bought a 2001 s500 with ABC suspension. I bought the car knowing the ABC wasn't working. Seller said it was a bad valve regulator and I noticed oil under the car where the valve was. No leaks from the struts were detected. The suspension was stuck in the highest setting and every time I went over a bump, the car would bounce up and down after the bump. I thought of fixing the system but I didn't want to replace the leaking hoses, the bad valve and plus the previous owner used regular red power steering fluid instead of the pentosin green fluid!!! That alone would have been a pain in the *** to flush out of the entire system. I've heard of all the horror stories regarding the cost of replacing or fixing the system as well as the stories of people having the car lower unexpectedly. Rather than go through this headache, I went ahead and bought the Strutmasters coil over conversion kit with the ABC light delete. Cost was $1600 shipped and I figured I could recoup most of the costs by selling the ABC struts and a replacement valve regulator that the owner included on ebay or worse case, sell the struts to Arnott for $200 a piece.

The install was pretty straight forward and I followed the videos on youtube. The only problem I encountered was that the quick disconnect lines in the front were frozen and would not disconnect. I used wrenches and a propane torch but nothing worked so I just disconnected the entire line up to the valve regulator and capped it off at the valve. The rears were a little harder to install since you have to take more of the suspension linkage off to get the strut out but the quick disconnects were not frozen and I was able to remove the struts without taking out the lines. The installation of the electronic box to get rid of the ABC malfunction light was pretty straight forward as well with only 4-6 wires to splice.

Now since I bought the car with the suspension not working, I have no idea what a normal working ABC suspension feels like. But I've driven the car with the strutmasters set up and everything feels like normal. No more bouncing around when going over speed bumps and no more loud noises when going over bumps. I'm very pleased with the results and I'm glad I did the conversion. I'm no longer afraid of driving the car and having the ABC leak fluid out, lower the car and get stuck somewhere. Car drives well on all the roads and smooth on the highway. Finally a smooth and quiet ride and my car doesn't have the stance of an SUV with a lower ride height!!

vmystikilv

Awesome post, thank you for the review, now I can start looking for a CL500


Also still strongly considering doing this to my S500 if I ever get fed up with the airmatic

tusabes

Great to hear . How long did the install take ? Have any pics ?

x2nervisx

Well it took about a week to install only because it's been snowing here in the northeast and my Porsche doesnt come out of the garage so I did all the work outside. The front was relatively easy except for the quick disconnect being frozen so I had to remove the whole line from the strut to the valve regulator on both front struts. The rears were a little more involved as more has to be disassembled in order to get the strut out. At least the quick disconnects were not frozen. In the installation manual it says you'll need two people to stall the rear struts but I was able to hold the strut in place while screwing the 3 bolts on top by using an extra jack to support the strut in place. Took it to my alignment shop the next day and I was ready to drive it regularly. I unfortunately did not take pictures.

x2nervisx

I should mention if there wasn't snow on the ground or if it wasn't freezing outside, I could have done all this in one afternoon.

shardul

iTrader: (1)

how is the body roll? and did you leave the abc pump on the car?

x2nervisx

I've driven the car a little faster than normal at exit ramps and I've not noticed any significant body roll. Like I said in the first post, I bought the car with the ABC system in the stuck raised position and I've never driven the car with a working abc system so I can't compare the 2. I also left the abc pump in place for the time being.

Zachmac

I would think you'd have to leave the ABC pump in place since it is ALSO the power sterring pump, no?

x2nervisx

That is correct. Unless you replace the dual pump with a standard steering pump from an airmatic equipped w220.

shardul

iTrader: (1)

ok so now all the ABC lines are capped off and the pump is still working.

My question is that what if the pump fails or one of the lines rupture?

x2nervisx

Well the good thing is if the pump fails or if a line springs a leak, I know my suspension won't drop and leave me stranded. There was another member that did the same conversion on his CL500 and he just let the ABC reservoir run dry and he hasn't had a problem in 3 years. I plan to keep my reservoir filled but eventually replace the dual pump with just a steering pump.

gregwang168

Wow! This is great information about preparing for the suspension conversion when the ABC suspension and its components starts to fail. Thanks for sharing! And did you buy the Strutmasters coil over conversion kit from this Company? http://www.strutmasters.com

tusabes

They are the only ones who make the conversion

x2nervisx

Yes strutmasters are the only ones selling the kit. I believe it was $1600 shipped with the ABC light malfunction delete. I also "liked" them on Facebook which gave me an extra $20 off.

ibeforreal

Great information to know since Strutmasters is only about 30 minutes from my home.

smcewen10

Does anybody have a picture of a 215 CL500 that shows the stance with the Strutmasters struts. Strutmasters claims to have sold hundreds of these systems that replace the ABC struts yet they can't produce even one picture and after a fairly exhaustive internet search I can't find a picture. Thanks

Welwynnick

Sad story.

Did you fit sway bars?

Nick

amd1963

I am pleased the conversion went well. I own a 2001 CL55 (that lives in the garage - although used weekly) and I commend the ABC system it makes a 1700kg vehicle handle like a car half its weight on challenging stretches of 'B' roads. I have replaced the pump and one strut but completely worth it. I have not been left stranded and trust the car completely. The key is a preventative maintainence.

smcewen10

X2nervisx... was wondering if you have had a chance to take a few pictures of the stance of the CL500 with the strutmasters conversion. What do you think about the new ride height compared to others that you've seen online? These cars look great with a subtle lowering. If a person was to attach a sway bar, as far as I can find out, the s500 control arms have the attachment point for sway bars but i haven't been able to determine exact location where the bar itself would reside or the attachment point for the other two sway bar mounts. Thanks! Any info would be really appreciated, especially pics.

biker349

yes, would love to find out how it rides.

llcoolbenz

Here is my 2002 CL500 with the strutmaster kit. Sits higher in the rear. Hopefully it will settle a bit. Those are 22" rims, by the way. I did the conversion myself 5 days ago.

ibeforreal

Looks good. I wonder how it would look with 18, 19, or 20 inch wheels. I suppose the gap space would be determined by the size of the wheels and tires.

llcoolbenz

It does ride great. Because of the 22" wheels......they will slightly rub on a big dip. But honestly, they would slightly hit when I had the ABC struts. The car does lean more. I don't feel as confident driving fast switching lanes at 120mph as I did before. But.......it's solid besides that. Lol

eldos1

I don't think that is a tame grocery getter. Looks nice

llcoolbenz

Thanks bro.......lol!