mis3

My friend has a 2003 CL500 which has ABC. The rear suspensions are now squeezing and the dealership asked for $10K (CAN) to replace the struts.

Are there any alternatives? He does not care for the ABC at all.

mf219

I've never had to buy struts but I've heard of people getting them in the $1300-$1500 (each) range. Don't buy aftermarket or remanufactured. Try going to a good independent mechanic that knows the ABC system. I can't imagine the labor being more than a couple thousand. Dealers seem to be (at least) 2-3x as expensive as indies, even when using genuine MB parts.

BlownV8

The rebuilt ones are as good or better than OE. Not to mention, you can get a lifetime warranty on the rebuilt ones where Mercedes won't warranty their struts.

mis3

Do you guys happen to know the part no?
Also, I am not sure how to get used MB parts in Canada.

mf219

Let me start by saying I have never had to replace a strut. However, I have spoken to an independent mechanic about them. he told me a customer brought in a remanufactured strut which he installed. shortly thereafter, the strut failed. the customer ended up buying a genuine MB replacement part and PAID FOR THE LABOR A SECOND TIME. do what you want, but the money you save buying refab parts probably won't cover he additional labor if the strut fails prematurely.

awiner

Arnott - http://www.arnottindustries.com/part...18_pid144.html

Ebay Links - http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_nkw=...air_suspension

Many non AMG owners have used Arnott rebuilt units over the past several years with no issues.

lloyds

There is also these coilover alternatives if he wants to remove the ABC system, don't know much about them myself but might be a cheaper alternative.

http://www.strutmasters.com/Mercedes...nz-4-cl500.htm

awiner

Those are made to retro fit cars with AIRMATIC suspensions. Since he CL uses ABC suspension that conversion kit won't work for several reasons such as the CL doesn't have sway bars, etc.

lloyds

It might be listed as Airmatic but the video here clearly shows them doing the conversion to a W215 ABC system

lloyds

And here for the fronts and only $1393 for the full set

awiner

Thanks for this find lloyds. I had doubts this was for an ABC equipped cat but as you pointed out the videos show it certainly is.

I would love to hear input from anyone that has done this conversion to see the difference in ride and handling.

BlownV8

http://www.strutmasters.com/category-s/803.htm

That's a game changer. I wonder why they don't have it for the 600 & 65? It doesn't eliminate the ABC but, hopefully, it will limit the high failure rate. If a hose blows, it could still destroy the ABC pump but you don't have to worry about replacing the $2000/strut when it fails.

Seems that it would make more sense to remove the hydraulic hose and cap it further down. I would also be nervous with the hose tucked in the wheel well. What about the need for sway bars?

biker349

i called them and was told that they now have an electrical module that plugs in under the dashboard which eliminates all abc messages. told it was $200. they said they wanted a v12 to work on. they think the coil would have to be stronger than the v8. question, is there a cheaper steering pump that could be retrofitted with this conversion that would save the aggrevation and cost of the dual pump? love to hear from people who try this.

BlownV8

The only thing keeping from another CL/SL is the ABC suspension. This may make the cars more sustainable and less frightening to own. The only other major failure point I'm aware of on the 600/65 is the coil packs.