Replacing ABC with a regular strut or coilover setup
Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 77
Likes: 2
From: Houston Texas
2002 CL 500
Hi
It is a small world is t not MiguelsC2
Yep i have a 92 300 SL but i have been hanging around the CL500 forum because i have been thinking of perhaps buying a CL500 or a 2004 SL 500
I have not made up my mind yet but i miss the back seat in the SL
The thing is that i do not fancy working on the ABC on a CL or a SL all the time
Sent you a PM
It is a small world is t not MiguelsC2
Yep i have a 92 300 SL but i have been hanging around the CL500 forum because i have been thinking of perhaps buying a CL500 or a 2004 SL 500
I have not made up my mind yet but i miss the back seat in the SL
The thing is that i do not fancy working on the ABC on a CL or a SL all the time
Sent you a PM
Drive a CL and you will be sold. Awesome!
I have an 02 and I was able to add a Dension D2B adapter that allows me to play satelite,USB drive,Ipod etc... through the factory system and controls. With no visible changes or wire splicing. Yes, the '03+ navigation system is superior. But I prefer pre-03 Mercedes because I feel they went to cheaper feeling switches and some controls. Subtle, but they make a difference to me.
No matter which model you choose, buy an under 40k mile with ALL books and records. If there is an unusual amount of servicing to any part of the car. Especially the ABC system. Pass on it.
Mine was literally a 1 owner books and records. Owned by a local little old Dr lady. Was garaged day and night and showed no wear. Only unusual service item was the ABC pump replaced during a re-call.
If the car doesn't get an A+ don't bother with it.
Keep in mind, many come here when they have an expensive problem and are looking for a cheaper than dealer solution. Many with high mileage.
IMO high mileage CLs should be avoided at all costs.
Since you live in Europe, you may be able to service a CL cheaper than here in the states. If you do your own service work? All the better.
Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 77
Likes: 2
From: Houston Texas
2002 CL 500
Ps. Every window except the side rears is a $1000 retail. The door glass is dual pane and tends to delaminate.
On the plus side.They have very cool articulated doors. The 01-06 CLs are 600-800lbs lighter then the previous or later models. Due to the exotic materials used.ie: Magnesium door frame, composite trunk lid and front fenders, extensive use of aircraft aluminum. I don't think they could afford to build them that way today.
On the plus side.They have very cool articulated doors. The 01-06 CLs are 600-800lbs lighter then the previous or later models. Due to the exotic materials used.ie: Magnesium door frame, composite trunk lid and front fenders, extensive use of aircraft aluminum. I don't think they could afford to build them that way today.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 44
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore
Silver MY03 CL500 w/AMG Sport Pkg
Door glass is nothing when compared to the Windscreen. The glass is not only double paned but also contains a microwave shield that reduces the IR energy from the sun that may fade or ruin your interior. That shield also works both ways as cell phone signals are usually blocked except for the small patch by the upper center of the windshield that is where they recommend placing EZ-Pass and other electronic signaled tokens so the signals are not blocked when you go by a receptor such as a toll booth.
And forget it, if you have the optional heated glass with heat wiper park area.
So think twice before you stay behind that dump truck dropping small stones or the road works truck dispensing rock salt for the road.
And forget it, if you have the optional heated glass with heat wiper park area.
So think twice before you stay behind that dump truck dropping small stones or the road works truck dispensing rock salt for the road.
Last edited by The_StiG_US; Oct 11, 2013 at 02:01 PM. Reason: emote not working
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,605
Likes: 343
From: Welwyn, Herts, UK
2006 S600
This is the bit I really like though, and where ABC missed a great opportunity:
Badly worded, but I think this is what it means: The springs are no longer used to control roll or tune the handling balance (understeer vs oversteer etc). In corners, the weight transfer is managed by ACS, so the front/rear distribution of the weight transfer can be controlled by ACS, and it no longer has to be fixed or even linear. For example, you could tune for oversteer in gentle corners and understeer in hard corners if you wanted. But I think it’s the dynamic behaviour that’s the great opportunity. Because of the polar moment of inertia of our cars (it’s like mass, but for rotating objects), they’re slow to change direction and slow to stop changing direction. The longer the car, the worse the dynamic behaviour (regardless of where the centre of gravity is).
What ACS may be doing is sensing steering wheel movement, or the change in cornering force, and dynamically adjusting the weight transfer distribution. That means increasing the rear transfer when turning into the corner (giving more front grip), and increasing the front transfer on the way out (giving more rear grip). That makes it both quicker to change direction, and slower to spin. It’s a huge win, and one that Toyota used to great advantage in my old 1992 SC400/Soarer UZZ32– the first road car with active suspension (-which cost almost as much as the car itself!). It was as pointy as a go-cart, but stable as a limo. Obviously, there’s no reason why ABC can’t do this – I think it should have from the outset – and then we’d all be cheering it as a much better system.
http://www.daimler.com/dccom/0-5-1210218-1-1531792-1-0-0-1210228-0-0-135-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/new-m-class-w166/405488-active-curve-system.html
http://www.forum-mercedes.com/topic-...-freinage.html
Thanks to the individual control at the front and rear axles, distribution of the roll momentum can be varied, allowing the self-steering properties to be actively adapted to the prevailing driving situation. The handling characteristics are adjusted for extra agility when driving along country roads and for even greater stability on the highway.
What ACS may be doing is sensing steering wheel movement, or the change in cornering force, and dynamically adjusting the weight transfer distribution. That means increasing the rear transfer when turning into the corner (giving more front grip), and increasing the front transfer on the way out (giving more rear grip). That makes it both quicker to change direction, and slower to spin. It’s a huge win, and one that Toyota used to great advantage in my old 1992 SC400/Soarer UZZ32– the first road car with active suspension (-which cost almost as much as the car itself!). It was as pointy as a go-cart, but stable as a limo. Obviously, there’s no reason why ABC can’t do this – I think it should have from the outset – and then we’d all be cheering it as a much better system.
http://www.daimler.com/dccom/0-5-1210218-1-1531792-1-0-0-1210228-0-0-135-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/new-m-class-w166/405488-active-curve-system.html
http://www.forum-mercedes.com/topic-...-freinage.html
The internet is a bottomless but disorganised pit of information, and I think one of the keys to finding something useful is knowing what its called.
For example, when I was repairing and modifying my ABC system, I wanted to find a 10mm compression pigtail, though I didn't know it was called that until later.
And when I modified my IC system, I needed a reducing elbow and a 19mm hose sensor, though it took a while to realise. You could say its all just plain english, but using combinations of words that I'd never thought of.
Similarly, when I get frustrated about all the things Mercedes don't do, its often a case of looking for the right thing. ABC ought to be able to vary the roll momentum distribution, or the weight transfer distribution. But the problem is that it's just not discussed anywhere, and when its mentioned in a press release, its actually called variable roll moment distribution.
Put that into Google and you get lots of returns, including patents, university theses, and this from Mercedes:
Other notable features of Active Body Control are the variable roll moment distribution between the front and rear axles
So Mercedes did actually introduce variable roll moment distribution on the 2010 S-class, along with Cross-Wind Stablisation. The CL and SL got it as well, so they got there in the end, but I don't think anybody realised. The latest Porsche Panamera gets it as well, but uses active anti-roll bars.
Nick
Last edited by Welwynnick; May 25, 2014 at 04:15 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,212
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,605
Likes: 343
From: Welwyn, Herts, UK
2006 S600
Nick
Edit:
Just did a bit of research.
The 2010 US & Canada CL550 got 4WD and Airmatic, and the UK CL500 (same engine) had RWD & ABC.
Right hand drive and V12 cars never have 4WD, and 4WD cars never have ABC, both for packaging reasons.
So that begs the obvious question - which would you rather have:
4WD and Airmatic - or:
2WD and ABC
Me? I would have 4WD, Airmatic and Active Curve System!
Last edited by Welwynnick; May 26, 2014 at 01:59 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
2001 cl55 amg
2001 CL55 AMG COILOVER
Hello all,
I recently converted my 2001 CL55 AMG from the ABC system to the regular struts. After repairing my ABC system twice spending over $7K, i decided to try the conversion kit. I bought the kit through Strutmasters, using the 2003-2006 kit. I will no longer have to worry about spending thousands of dollars on a system that at some point will fail again.
I recently converted my 2001 CL55 AMG from the ABC system to the regular struts. After repairing my ABC system twice spending over $7K, i decided to try the conversion kit. I bought the kit through Strutmasters, using the 2003-2006 kit. I will no longer have to worry about spending thousands of dollars on a system that at some point will fail again.
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Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 215
Likes: 5
From: North Texas
2005 CL55
Hello all,
I recently converted my 2001 CL55 AMG from the ABC system to the regular struts. After repairing my ABC system twice spending over $7K, i decided to try the conversion kit. I bought the kit through Strutmasters, using the 2003-2006 kit. I will no longer have to worry about spending thousands of dollars on a system that at some point will fail again.
I recently converted my 2001 CL55 AMG from the ABC system to the regular struts. After repairing my ABC system twice spending over $7K, i decided to try the conversion kit. I bought the kit through Strutmasters, using the 2003-2006 kit. I will no longer have to worry about spending thousands of dollars on a system that at some point will fail again.
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 556
Likes: 10
From: UK
S55K AMG
I had a chat with Strutmasters about 2 years ago about this kit and i was not convinced as the regular setup does not come with any kind of anti-roll bars and their online video of a car fitted with their kit never showed that car to go around a corner at any point in the video.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
cl55 amg
CL(W215), ABC suspension
Hi guys,
hope somebody will be able to tell. I have CL55 AMG, year 2000, 134k on clock and full mb service history. Is it normal when car stands around 3-4 days without starting the engine that is sits really low so when I start again it shows message abc too low, stop the car?? Is it normal that it goes so low after few days without ride?
When this happens I just press the button to raise it up. After this message is gone. When the car is driven every day, this never happens. Can somebody tell if this is normal? Thank you very much
hope somebody will be able to tell. I have CL55 AMG, year 2000, 134k on clock and full mb service history. Is it normal when car stands around 3-4 days without starting the engine that is sits really low so when I start again it shows message abc too low, stop the car?? Is it normal that it goes so low after few days without ride?
When this happens I just press the button to raise it up. After this message is gone. When the car is driven every day, this never happens. Can somebody tell if this is normal? Thank you very much
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
cl55 amg
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 556
Likes: 10
From: UK
S55K AMG
Not really, it should sit still for a few weeks.
Mine started dropping in one corner last year, got worse (faster) over a couple of months until it would drop within in an hour of being turned off.
Turned out the rear valve block was clogged. A new one costs approx. $2,500, i managed to remove and clean mine, cost me about $100.
Its nothing dangerous so leave it and see what happens.
Mine started dropping in one corner last year, got worse (faster) over a couple of months until it would drop within in an hour of being turned off.
Turned out the rear valve block was clogged. A new one costs approx. $2,500, i managed to remove and clean mine, cost me about $100.
Its nothing dangerous so leave it and see what happens.
Last edited by w4sim; Apr 28, 2015 at 11:35 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
cl55 amg
Not really, it should sit still for a few weeks.
Mine started dropping in one corner last year, got worse (faster) over a couple of months until it would drop within in an hour of being turned off.
Turned out the rear valve block was clogged. A new one costs approx. $2,500, i managed to remove and clean mine, cost me about $100.
Its nothing dangerous so leave it and see what happens.
Mine started dropping in one corner last year, got worse (faster) over a couple of months until it would drop within in an hour of being turned off.
Turned out the rear valve block was clogged. A new one costs approx. $2,500, i managed to remove and clean mine, cost me about $100.
Its nothing dangerous so leave it and see what happens.
so are you saying its nothing to worry about for a few months?? is it a lot of work to remove rear valve?? would you say its good idea change oil and filter in ABC system or leave it as long as it works?? thank you for reply
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 556
Likes: 10
From: UK
S55K AMG
Even if your a DIY mechanic removing the valve block is not too hard, about 5 ABC pipes to remove. While its off you will lose about 1 litre of ABC fluid, so make sure you have some to hand first. From my experience, although Mercedes themselves dont say this, any system that has fluid and a filter should be changed after a certain amount of time. With ABC its usually about 3-4 years, so maybe have yours done at the same time as the valve block.
Having said all of the above though, the ABC system is not exactly the easiest thing to work on, but is very easy to get horribly wrong, so you may be best leaving the whole process to a professional. Dont think dealers will clean the valve block for you, they will only replace it with a new one im afraid.
As for your current situation, you may be alright to go on like this for years to come.
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 556
Likes: 10
From: UK
S55K AMG
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
cl55 amg
thanks a lot. Really very much appreciated. For sure I wouldn't do it by myself, I know independent MB specialist to do it.
so you say to leave it for now..now it drops after 4-5 days, would you suggest to do it when this happens like after few hours? cheers
martin
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 556
Likes: 10
From: UK
S55K AMG
Hello,
thanks a lot. Really very much appreciated. For sure I wouldn't do it by myself, I know independent MB specialist to do it.
so you say to leave it for now..now it drops after 4-5 days, would you suggest to do it when this happens like after few hours? cheers
martin
thanks a lot. Really very much appreciated. For sure I wouldn't do it by myself, I know independent MB specialist to do it.
so you say to leave it for now..now it drops after 4-5 days, would you suggest to do it when this happens like after few hours? cheers
martin
I would suggest you would much rather do it when it starts to drop after a period of about 12 hours, e.g. leaving it parked overnight.
At the minute, with 4-5 days as you say, i would just leave it as it is.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
2001 cl55 amg
Hello,
I recently converted my 2001 CL55 AMG ABC to the regular struts. The ride is the same to me, however i don't do any racing. The headache of replacing the ABC system parts etc are now gone. I got the struts through Strutmasters.....
I recently converted my 2001 CL55 AMG ABC to the regular struts. The ride is the same to me, however i don't do any racing. The headache of replacing the ABC system parts etc are now gone. I got the struts through Strutmasters.....
Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 178
Likes: 2
2001 S55 AMG Silver, 2003 CL600 Black Opal Metalic, 2005 CLK500 Silver (sold)& Orion Blue (sold)
I just did the Strutmasters conversion on a 2003 CL600. Bought it and 2 weeks later, found out the ABC system was failing, 10k fix. Decided against this because the system is notorious for repeat failures. I love it, I have 0 complaints and that's with out a sway bar. Body roll is minimal, barely noticeable. Still corners with ease. Feels solid, secure. A little harsher on road imperfections, but I'm on low pro tires, so I try to avoid the pot holes anyway. I highly recommend the conversion regarless of your reason. The security of knowing my ABC isn't going to drop out on me any minute now after spending umteen thousands on trying to prevent it, I think it's worth it's weight in gold.
