sawwrench

I have been researching swapping ABC for SL350 springs and struts. I can't find part numbers or availability anywhere on the web. Does anyone in the UK or even here in the USA do that? I noticed the weight of the cars are similar. I also read that people buy the SL350 struts just to get the ball joints removed to replace ABC strut ball joints. I know about Strutmasters but I wanted to compare it with an OEM option. I found pictures of non ABC struts on a Mercedes site but no info. It seems like a viable option to aftermarket.

Alecu001

The SL350 is not available in the US so I don't know if we can get the part number for you on that strut. I know some people have been wanting to do a swap to coilovers (including myself). Strutmaster was one option, but I think they stopped making the suspension for the SL500 for a while. I can check with them to see if they are still selling it.

Let us know if you find the part number on that strut.

BlownV8

Good question.

sawwrench

Looks like this is the sway bar(torsion bar)


TORSION BAR. .

2003 Mercedes SL 500 Convertible. Fits: 230470, 230472, 230474, 230475, 230476, 230477, 23047
Stock Code2303202311 ManufacturerMercedes BenzCategoriesSuspension, Steering and AxlesAssembliesTORSION BAR,FRONTYour Price $ 900.00
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ImageNameDescriptionProduct Application Notes REAR TORSION BAR - STANDARD SPRING SUSPENSIONModels:
SL 500 03-06, SL 55 AMG 03-06, SL 55 AMG 07-08, SL 600 04-06, SL 600 07-11, SL 63 AMG 09-12, SL 65 AMG 05-11
==========
Chassis:
230470/65P, 230472/65P, 230474/65P, 230475/65P, 230476/65P, 230477/65P, 230479/65P
==========
Engines:
BENZINMOTOR
GASOLINE ENGINE
V12 GASOLINE ENGINE M275 E55
V12 GASOLINE ENGINE M275 E60
V8 GASOLINE ENGINE M156 E63
113.963, 113.992, 113.995, 156.981, 275.951, 275.954, 275.981
==========
Automatic Transmissions:
7-SPEED AUTO. TRANSMISSION W7C1000 NOT FOR MODEL SERIES 463
7-SPEED AUTO. TRANSMISSION W7C1000 ONLY FOR MODEL SERIES 463
7-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION K7C1000
AUTOMATIC FIVE-SPEED TRANSMISSION WITH CONVERTER
TRANSMISSION, W7B700 7-GEAR AUTOMATIC NOT FOR MODEL SERIES 463
TRANSMISSION, W7B700 7-GEAR AUTOMATIC ONLY FOR MODEL SERIES 463
==========
Manual Transmissions:
Required: 001
REAR
-487+P99
[19970729 - 19970729]: NOT FOR ABC SUSPENSION (ACTIVE BODY CONTROL)
[20060308 - 20060308]: "AMG SIGNATURE SERIES/BLACK SERIES" SPECIAL MODEL
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sawwrench

These pictures are actually for a SL500 application.


SHOCK ABSORBER. .

Fits: 230470, 230472, 230474, 230475, 230476, 230477, 23047
Stock Code2303260900 ; 2303260400 ManufacturerMercedes BenzCategoriesSuspension, Steering and AxlesAssembliesSPRING STRUT AND SPRING STRUT MOUNTING REARYour Price $ 354.00
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Alecu001

What site did you find this on?

sawwrench

O.K. I found out today that the STAR program can delete the ABC option.
I found part numbers for the springs and struts. I can't seem to find any info on sway bars though. Sill searching

diablo2112

Thanks for researching this. A great contribution to the R230 community.

sawwrench

Ok I ran a quick price check on one front strut with one of everything on the picture except the spring. it came to 446.08 with all Mercedes OEM parts, maybe another 50.00 or so for the spring? I haven't found one yet but I know it's available.

sawwrench

Thanks,
Honestly if a R230's ABC is inoperative it can kill the resale value, and rightfully so. So an affordable option is important as these cars age. The coil overs are engineered by Mercedes for the SL500 for other countries. I started researching this only because I am scared to death I'll buy one that has major issues. Maybe I'll offer a kit if there is demand or a group buy. So we can get it as cheap as possible. Some people don't mind the expense of repairs and that's great. I just hate the lack of options for the suspension.

diablo2112

Don't forget swapping out the combined pump for a power steering pump. Elsewhere, someone figured out an OEM replacement from another Mercedes, C series I think?

sawwrench

Oh yeah! I did forget about that. I'll work on that after I figure out the rear suspension.
Thanks

Geo3

"sawwrench", keep up the good work. Great contribution here.

I have owned my SL55 for five years now with no problems, but I know it's only time for the ABC to start with issues.

Due to the aforementioned, I am presently considering a new car with coil suspension.

If you can come up with this SL350 kit, I would be seriously interested.

I have attached current Canadian ABC parts and dealer costs......Geo.

sawwrench

Thanks Geo3, When I first started this journey the idea was to retrofit a SL350 coil over suspension. What I have found is these parts are actually for all SL's except black series. So it actually isn't a SL350 suspension it's an SL suspension which is even more interesting.

seven_out

Those prices are scary. If I had just purchased an SL500 for $12,000 and were on a budget, like folks on this thread I would seriously consider a conversion as an alternative to paying those prices for parts. But there is simply no need to pay those prices.

Any part that is purchased from the dealer can be purchased from parts.com at typically a 15%-25% discount to MSRP. Further, Arnott Industries sells remanufactured struts with a limited lifetime warranty for around $630; parts geek discounts them to around $400.

sawwrench

Wow! I had no idea you could get them that cheap, Thanks for the info. What about the valve blocks? I don't see them on there.

seven_out

New ones can be had at a discount for around $1200 at parts.com. These guys sell rebuilt ones for $650.

sawwrench

Thanks Rod, 550.00 with the core, I wonder if these are the new and improved ones. Do you know Rod? I haven't researched Valve blocks yet.

BlownV8

I put close to 100k on my ABC equipped CL and not ever did I change an ABC strut. It's the damn ABC pump, control blocks, and hoses that cost me a fortune to fix.

Hose blows, abc pump grenades, tiny metal particles contaminate the control blocks, then struts. After that, it's all down hill dealing with all that contamination.

sawwrench

Hey BlownV8 what part of the hose is failing? It sounds like the hoses should be changed every so often as preventative maintenance. It makes sense considering the high pressure. So are these rubber hoses, stainless steel, ridged, or a combination? Anyone know how involved it is to change them?

BlownV8

The rubber part of the hose fails. Yes, I would recommend replacing all hoses at a 60,000 - 65,000 mile interval. That's when mine started to go bad. The hotter the environment the faster the decay of the hoses.

Don't buy factory. Just have your hoses rebuilt to a higher PSI and better quality hose. It will be much cheaper than OEM and will be better quality.

Like I said, it is the hose failure that starts the domino effect. Also, keep fresh Pentosin CHF 11s fluid and filter changed every 30,000 or less.

seven_out

That is for the original part. The newer part is also offered.

I have read posts by the M-B techs on the Tech Help forum at peachparts.com. There are multiple instances suggesting that the ABC hydraulic fluid be changed as a preventive measure. Nobody on that forum has suggested replacing hoses.

BlownV8

Yeah, that's good advice....not to change rubber hoses. LOL. While you are at it, don't ever change your belts or other hoses because they never go bad. I pretty much replaced every one of mine by 90k miles because they were weeping or had blown. The one I didn't change was changed due to a recall because the hose was known to blow and catch the car on fire. Of course, the bi-turbo v12 engine bay runs a little hotter than any of the other models so I probably saw increased/premature wear of the hoses. Not to mention, I live in Florida so that's even more heat.

Seriously though, it wouldn't matter as much if our pumps weren't so prone to failure due to loss of fluid. If there was an electronic clutch that would disengage if the fluid pressure dropped, it would not be an issue. However, the power steering pump and ABC pump are one in the same so it wouldn't be safe to disengage the steering pump too. If it were mounted seperately, they could use an electronic clutch to disengage the pump so you wouldn't have to spend $3,500 if you had a hose blow and couldn't stop immediately due to traffic, road, and or environmental conditions.

sawwrench

or what about a simple fluid level sensor? that can't be too hard. If you got a warning of ABC fluid level low it would at least be a heads up to stop and check.

seven_out

You misunderstood. Of course the techs are replacing ABC hoses. My post stated that they evidently aren't replacing them as a preventive maintenance measure (simply because they have been in service for a given mileage or time interval). It's likely that a competent tech will consider a variety of factors before deciding to replace a hose and will base the decision primarily upon a visual and physical inspection.