Rainman03

hi,

I had the dreaded ABC, visit workshop caution light come on a few days back. I took my car to my Indy to find out what the problem was. Running quick test, using the Star C3, the problem was in the right rear shock, having to do with the sensor. My guy said the sensor was part of the shock, so that is what I would have to purchase. He gave me a quote of $1600.00, which included new filter and fluid. He was getting the shock for around $1100.00, so I told him I would supply the parts. I found a rebuilt shock for $530.00 and the nice sales person said he would give it to me for $500.00 with free shipping. Now my cost is around $450.00, plus tax, for labor plus new filter and fluid. He also said I could watch the work being done.

I wanted to watch so I can do the left side myself, as I want to replace the rear shocks as a pair. He said I most likely could do it, but I would still have to have the car brought to him, because the car would have to be connected to the Star C3 for leveling. I have a MB Star C3 multiplex, but so far the only thing I can do with it is connect it to the car and run the quick test and then erase faults. I guess my question is, has someone reading this replaced one shock and knows what all it entails? Also any guidance you can give me on operating the Star system would be much appreciated. Thanks

Doug

TTtodd

If you have a Star you have it made. I just replaced my right rear. Easy peasy. Just a little time consuming.
The Star has a calibration function that basically runs itself. Caliabrate the struts, do a rodeo and your golden.

Rainman03

As I stated before, I'm new to the Star system. So if someone can give me a little boost on how I get to the calibration function, that would be great. This is assuming I have all the required software I need. Thank you!

TTtodd

It has been about a month since i did this so I am going off memory.
I think I went to Actuations , ABC system then to calibration.

I just poked around until I found what I wanted.

Rainman03

Found it under Chassie. Saw the rodeo, still figuring out which function does the leveling. Going to watch the mechanic do the right today, so should learn.

TTtodd

Had a little time today so I hooked the star to the beast.

Just follow the pictures. When you get to the last pic hit start and just like it says, run until the numbers level out. This picture was taken without the engine running and the car has been sitting a couple of weeks. With the engine running the numbers all go back to normal.

Run this then go back and do a rodeo.

Rainman03

Thank you. Watched the mechanic do the right side today and it was a pretty intense job. So far the ABC caution light is gone. I might wait a while to do the left, since everything is good for now.

carguyshu

ABC shocks don't have to be replaced in pairs nor do they require an alignment after install. There is really no point to putting another new one in unless it is bad.

Rainman03

Thank you for that information. Think I will hold off on left side and wait for the next event, that I'm sure will come, but hoping it doesn't.

carguyshu

For future reference also, you can get ones with a lifetime warranty from arnott for around $650 each https://www.arnottindustries.com/par...18_pid151.html

Keep up with regular fluid changes (every 20k-40k & and easy DIY) & perhaps accumulators (appx $150 each) every 75 k (QTY: 1 = 220 327 02 15, QTY: 2 = 220 327 01 15, QTY: 1 = 220 320 04 15) and you shouldn't have too much trouble. The shocks don't go bad all that often if the system is maintained.

Rainman03

Thank you, stored information.

cal1

thanks for posting this. It seems like a must have for all of us r230 guys is some form of Star DAS. I bought a used Xentry DAS (Chinese) from a member and it has already paid for itself.

I will likely be tackling an SBC replacement job this spring. According to WIS, the unit must be deactivated in DAS before pulling the existing unit and reactivated after the new unit is installed. The older SLs are going to start seeing this problem occur more and more. A rebuilt SBC unit can be had for about $850. The install looks pretty straight forward.

sbournazos

Maybe you can help me out. I have a 2006 sl 500 with ABC suspension . Just picked up the car after a 4 wheel alignment at Mercedes dealer.
The results are attached. For the line that says "Rear axle vehicle level ready for driving" the numbers before and after correction are in red which means "measurement is out of tolerance" . The numbers for the front axle are green and all other adjustments (camber, caster & toe) are green and within target data. The service advisor, not mechanic, told me that the "Rear axle vehicle level ready for driving" cannot be corrected. Only with extensive suspension work and that the "red' results are due to settling of the suspension components because the car is so old. I really don't think he understood what he was looking at. Am I understanding this correct, one side is 4mm lower than the other? Cant the ABC ride hight be calibrated with the STAR diagnostic tool prior to the alignment?Will what you state above calibrate the difference. Also am I reading the results properly the left and right rear are 4mm different in ride height?
Thanks in advance for the response.

seven_out

As a lay person I interpret the report the same as you do, and yes, the height of the chassis can be adjusted to a small degree at each wheel. If you have Star Diagnosis, you can do this yourself. Perhaps a dealer wouldn't do it if they lacked a "Romess gauge" -- an expensive electronic device for measuring the angle of the control arms which is specified by Mercedes for doing a level adjustment.