SL/R230: ABC issue on 2003 SL500 - lower on one side after sitting overnight
06-21-2016, 09:30 AM
#1
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2003 SL500
ABC issue on 2003 SL500 - lower on one side after sitting overnight
If my car is sitting overnight i notice that the left side is lower than the right by about 2-3cm. If left for over a week occasionally it will show the 'Stop car too low' message. I had this problem previously and spent a huge amount of time at the Mercedes-Benz dealer to get it fixed but the problem has returned.
The problem doesn't seem to cause any major issues while driving - and as soon as the car is started it will level itself no problem.
Initially the garage replaced a left rear level sensor bracket and flushed the suspension fluid (at a cost of $2300) and then at a later date also replaced either a control unit or a valve body - however i didn't end up paying for this or get the details as the car was with the garage for over 6 months (also needed the gas tank replaced at a cost of nearly $6000) and they ended up 'fixing' the suspension issue themselves and i got the car back without the fault.
However about 6 months later now the problem has returned, albeit not quite as bad as before. I've got it booked into an good independent garage tomorrow (catalytic converters have failed i think as there's a rattling under the car that sounds like a bolt rattling around in the exhaust), but wanted to know if there were any obvious areas i could ask them to investigate?
The problem doesn't seem to cause any major issues while driving - and as soon as the car is started it will level itself no problem.
Initially the garage replaced a left rear level sensor bracket and flushed the suspension fluid (at a cost of $2300) and then at a later date also replaced either a control unit or a valve body - however i didn't end up paying for this or get the details as the car was with the garage for over 6 months (also needed the gas tank replaced at a cost of nearly $6000) and they ended up 'fixing' the suspension issue themselves and i got the car back without the fault.
However about 6 months later now the problem has returned, albeit not quite as bad as before. I've got it booked into an good independent garage tomorrow (catalytic converters have failed i think as there's a rattling under the car that sounds like a bolt rattling around in the exhaust), but wanted to know if there were any obvious areas i could ask them to investigate?
06-21-2016, 10:52 AM
#2
Senior Member
It does sound like the front valve body is leaking, maybe for a second time. Your first repair from awhile back might have failed. It would be good to contact the garage that "fixed" it to see what they did exactly and go from there. moretech
06-21-2016, 07:48 PM
#4
Senior Member
See attached thread, the front valve body controls the front lift and the rear valve body controls the rear lift( mounted in left rear wheel housing). There are 2 small valves in the front valve body controlling leak down sitting overnight and 2 larger ones controlling height while in motion. Mostly just a bunch of O rings and spacers. The front valve body is mounted just behind the front bumper. Not too hard to get to. It can be repaired. A brand new assembly is about $1400 from Mercedes. Do see the thread for many good to know details. moretech
http://mercedes-abc-drive-carefully....y-part-of.html
http://mercedes-abc-drive-carefully....y-part-of.html
06-22-2016, 12:25 PM
#5
Super Member
Also, some leak down is normal if the car is left sitting for a long time, but usually it is a problem with the orings on the valve block
