HELP! Active Body Control Drive carefully on
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 43
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From: Somerset UK
CL65 AMG W216, Bentley Continetal R Le mans, Bentley Turbo RT, BMW 735 i, CL65 AMG w215
ABC pump leaking ...from what I can see.
Well, got the car on a lift this morning and checked out the rear end, no signs of damage, nothing disconnected so moved to front . Oil dripping from under trays...removed undertrays and there is a constant regular drip of oil from the front end of the ABC pump.
Local dealership can't touch it until Wednesday so I topped the reservoir up (almost 1 litre) on the basis that ifit drains itself, I can't move the car to the dealers shop.
Also tried the raise / lower switch on instrument panel but nothing happening there ither before or after topping up level.
BTW Oxygen...didn't need the Vaseline, plenty of oil on my hands......may need it next week I guess.
Current stable:
Bentley Continental R Le Mans
Bentley Arnage Diamond Series
Bentley Turbo RT long wheelbase saloon.
Bentley S3 saloon ( x2)
Local dealership can't touch it until Wednesday so I topped the reservoir up (almost 1 litre) on the basis that ifit drains itself, I can't move the car to the dealers shop.
Also tried the raise / lower switch on instrument panel but nothing happening there ither before or after topping up level.
BTW Oxygen...didn't need the Vaseline, plenty of oil on my hands......may need it next week I guess.
Current stable:
Bentley Continental R Le Mans
Bentley Arnage Diamond Series
Bentley Turbo RT long wheelbase saloon.
Bentley S3 saloon ( x2)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 9
From: Toronto
V12TT
I think it could be the high pressure expansion hose that's under the crank pulley and subframe.
Here, scroll down until you see the high pressure expansion hose and it will show you how they fail:
https://mbworld.org/forums/cl55-amg-...-pictures.html
Here, scroll down until you see the high pressure expansion hose and it will show you how they fail:
https://mbworld.org/forums/cl55-amg-...-pictures.html
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Somerset UK
CL65 AMG W216, Bentley Continetal R Le mans, Bentley Turbo RT, BMW 735 i, CL65 AMG w215
Don't think so
Thanks for the input but I caan't see that this hose which runs across the front of the lower carnkcase pulley could invisibly squirt oil up to the top of the ABC pump so that it can drip down off the front of the pump.
If the hose was leaking, it would be visible first.
Oxygen?
If the hose was leaking, it would be visible first.
Oxygen?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,455
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
W220 S65 AMG
That's a funny question... depends on how much money you have I guess?
I always wanted to raid the W220 parts section in the main Mercedes parts warehouse and have a large box truck outside ready for loading.
I guess you can have them check the A/C system for you and possibly add more freon.
Have them check out all the ABC lines, check out all the grommets and mounting brackets to make sure nothing is rubbing or leaking oil. Also check the hydraulic connections going to the struts, I've seen them leak at the connection.
I always wanted to raid the W220 parts section in the main Mercedes parts warehouse and have a large box truck outside ready for loading.
I guess you can have them check the A/C system for you and possibly add more freon.
Have them check out all the ABC lines, check out all the grommets and mounting brackets to make sure nothing is rubbing or leaking oil. Also check the hydraulic connections going to the struts, I've seen them leak at the connection.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,455
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
W220 S65 AMG
Check the transmission pan, electrical connector, rear main seals, all the mounts for the motor and the transmission, etc..... the list goes on. If you were on this side of the pond I'd get your CL healthy for you.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Somerset UK
CL65 AMG W216, Bentley Continetal R Le mans, Bentley Turbo RT, BMW 735 i, CL65 AMG w215
Thanks for those suggestions, I'll follow them up. I had a call this morning saying that there is some light wear on the front lower ball joints and arms. They also noted a small split in the gaiter on the rh side strut but didn't think it bad enough to change the strut for. I guess once the pump is installed,and they go back on Star, it may throw up some other faults which they can't see while the pressure is down.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,455
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
W220 S65 AMG
Here's a cutaway of the front axle with Active Body Control suspension.
I circled in red all the ball joints and bushings that you should replace if you are taking that route. Instead of doing just one ball joint I would replace all of the bushings and ball joints and restore the brand new feeling in the suspension and steering.
I circled in red all the ball joints and bushings that you should replace if you are taking that route. Instead of doing just one ball joint I would replace all of the bushings and ball joints and restore the brand new feeling in the suspension and steering.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Somerset UK
CL65 AMG W216, Bentley Continetal R Le mans, Bentley Turbo RT, BMW 735 i, CL65 AMG w215
OUCH....I feel a bank robbery coming on. It makes perfect sense to do them all and surprises me that any amount of wear can be attributed to one particular area. Maybe I'll ask for a quote to do the whole job.
You're a mine of information and I thank you for sharing.
You're a mine of information and I thank you for sharing.
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
Yugos only
Wheel offsets
Hi, I'm new to this forum but not new to failures of MB parts. I have recently acquired a 2003 CL600 bi-turbo and fitted some Brabus Monoblock 20" wheels. These wheels were on my previous 2001 CL600 ( wish I'd kept it)
Two days ago, I overshot a turning and reversed the rear end onto some uneven ground while the front wheels stayed on tarmac road surface. There was a sudden graunching noise like tyre rubbing on body and immediately as I drove forward the ABC warning light came up.
I stopped the car and applied some body weight to the rear end (hopefully) and guess what...the light extinguished and the car drove fine . The next day I started up and drove 100 miles before taking a break....when I restarted, the ABC warning light came back on. Once again some weight to the rear end and presto...back to normal. I set the body height up to max and then back to minimum and selected sport on the ABC and drove another 100 miles. When I came to start again, same old light....so I applied the same old body weight to the rear end and got the same old result....problem sorted.
It seems that each time I turn the engine off, the ABC warning light comes up....what's going on here?
Two days ago, I overshot a turning and reversed the rear end onto some uneven ground while the front wheels stayed on tarmac road surface. There was a sudden graunching noise like tyre rubbing on body and immediately as I drove forward the ABC warning light came up.
I stopped the car and applied some body weight to the rear end (hopefully) and guess what...the light extinguished and the car drove fine . The next day I started up and drove 100 miles before taking a break....when I restarted, the ABC warning light came back on. Once again some weight to the rear end and presto...back to normal. I set the body height up to max and then back to minimum and selected sport on the ABC and drove another 100 miles. When I came to start again, same old light....so I applied the same old body weight to the rear end and got the same old result....problem sorted.
It seems that each time I turn the engine off, the ABC warning light comes up....what's going on here?
When I tried using some aftermarket wheels (ET30) with my 05 CL55 (ET4X) - I had rubbing problems and ABC problems.
I would find out exactly what AMG or Brabus wheels have the recommended offset for your particular model. Look in your owner's manual or on the door. MB also has a comprehensive wheel catalog that covers just about every year with full specs. You can probably get it from your sales or parts department.
BTW, the manufacturer of the aftermarket wheels "guaranteed" they would work with the CL55. They didn't and the independent dealer took them back with no issue. They would work on a CL500 though. I spoke to the manufacturer's rep on the phone - he said "so what's the difference? They are the same models, just a bigger engine."
Often wrong, never in doubt!
Last edited by ivanj; Jul 20, 2009 at 02:22 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
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03 cl55 amg, 09 ml 320 blutec 05 e320 06 range sport 01 f-150 4 x 4 06 4runner
Yes..64k 03 cl55..certified up to last month, Active Body Control visit workshop..intermittent, know its a leaking left rear strut and expensive except now dont go to dealer, go to local trusted MB mechanic at least 30 & % cheaper..thats ridiculous price..2800.00...
