Can running ABC pump dry damage the PS side?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 8
Likes: 2
CL500 W215
Can running ABC pump dry damage the PS side?
I have a CL500 and the ABC pump has sprung a huge leak. I bought the car pretty cheap, it is also missing the boots on all 4 shocks with two of them already starting to leak, so I will not be repairing the pump as it's not economically viable given the price I paid.
With that out of the way, I am planning on fitting either YellowSpeed or Ceika coilovers (currently working through the minefield of which is best out of the two and which spring rate is best!!) but until I get those, I am trying to understand what is the worst that will happen if I drive the car with no ABC fluid? I can't even keep it topped up as it will leak 2 litres in 1 short journey so it ends up costing more in oil than fuel! I know the pump will be destroyed, but it is already, I am more curious as to whether the shocks stay up or will they end up hitting the floor?
And further to this, I read a few reports online that once you replace the shocks you can just leave the ABC pump in place, with no oil, and there is no damage to the PS side. Is there truth in that?
With that out of the way, I am planning on fitting either YellowSpeed or Ceika coilovers (currently working through the minefield of which is best out of the two and which spring rate is best!!) but until I get those, I am trying to understand what is the worst that will happen if I drive the car with no ABC fluid? I can't even keep it topped up as it will leak 2 litres in 1 short journey so it ends up costing more in oil than fuel! I know the pump will be destroyed, but it is already, I am more curious as to whether the shocks stay up or will they end up hitting the floor?
And further to this, I read a few reports online that once you replace the shocks you can just leave the ABC pump in place, with no oil, and there is no damage to the PS side. Is there truth in that?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 8
Likes: 2
CL500 W215
On both sides (PS and ABC)? Sounds stupid but I have seen a few forum posts now, albeit from back 2010-2014, with people noting that they did a coilover swap and left the pump as is, IE with no fluid, with no adverse reactions.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 15
Likes: 2
2005 SL65
bump - I'm reading lots of conflicting data as to wether it's okay to just swap the struts for coilovers (plugging the lines) and pull the ABC fuse, leaving the pump swap or loopback, and sway bar installs to another day.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 448
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From: Europe, but from Norway
89 SL500 Silver ,97 SL500 Carlsson 04 Mercedes SL55 AMG , 07 Mercedes SL55 AMG convertedBlack series
