driveability

I had a line blow out this week, haven't even looked at the car yet. I know these system are costly and complicated so I'm going to re-engineer my suspension. I understand this is going to be a complicated project and have given it a lot of consideration. I will be using a adjustable Koni system and custom springs. I would like to use factory shock body's but really need to examine the parts first. I love the car but don't want to be a slave to a system when there's no real advantages in having it. My goal is to be able to adjust the ride from within the car and that's going to take electric actuators & and a controller. Stay tuned

OCKlasse

Good luck!

You'll need the following:

- Remove all ABC components
- Non-ABC power steering pump
- W220 sway bars
- W220 lower control arms (?)
- Weld some sway bar brackets to the unibody
- STAR recoding

...and then the new suspension of course

driveability

said by someone who has some knowledge on this subject.
Good list, love to skip a few steps but until I get the CL apart I will take your word for it. Seems to me the factory housings could be used to hold the new shocks & springs ? also the reprogramming is understandable but the system is just looking at sensors and for all the computer knows there in the back seat LOL. I was thinking I could find out just what the system is expecting to see and input that on the circuits. thanks for the input. Remember the car the CL replaced ? That was challenging but in the end worked well. love the challenge.

OCKlasse

By factory housings you mean the ABC struts? Should be easy enough to have some custom struts made. Definitely not an easy project to undertake, but I'm looking forward to your progress!

pman

I just replaced abc pump Friday, not a pleasant surprise.

grane

Time for the OP to get out the checkbook.

I'll bring the popcorn.

1995E320Cab

I'd love to see the progress on this project please keep us updated.

Where are you located? There is a shop here in So Ca that has done this, you may want to call them also.

.

radride

I'll bring the beers.

R.K.

saintz

This comes up every six months. I have wondered it myself. If you search, you'll find lots of info.

First, you're going to need a ton of parts, as OC mentioned. On a normal car you just replace the springs and shocks. Here you need to add and remove, like add sway bars (and all the mounting components, which aren't on the CL) and remove the power steering pump (which also is the ABC pump) and install a different pump. You'll need stuff like new control arms that have sway bar mounts. Basically the entire suspension is going to go.

Next you need to find a way to make a 4,500 lbs car that weighs as much as a Jeep still handle properly. It was mentioned before that the stock ABC suspension can allow a 90 degree turn at 60 mph. That is a huge feat for such a heavy car. Look at everything AMG did to make the SL65 Black Series handle with a conventional suspension (and that they didn't really do a great job, and on a lighter car to boot).

It's cheaper just to live with ABC and find an independent shop to do preventative maintenance (replace hoses if they leak before they pop, replace the accumulators so they take the shock and keep the hose from breaking) and repair stuff when it does break.

Mercedes22

+ 1

JHouse

I replaced the pneumatic suspension on a lowly Navigator out of knee jerk fear and it isn't the same truck anymore. I don't think it is very cost effective to try to out-engineer MB. I'd go the Indy repair and maintenance route. I think the ABC does an amazing job, and you won't know what you've lost til it's gone.

driveability

I guess you guys are right ! Doing so much reading and research regarding the ABC system only a fool would replace such a marvel of engineering. I stand corrected.

I haven't done much but did see what line burst. Its the line near the crank balancer. The one that makes a "U" turn. The line just came out of its crimp. There wasn't any damage to the rubber. When it happened I was going under 20 mph on a flat road. I have a new line but understand the importance of the accumulators/shock absorbers. I don't have a flow chart other than the ones most guys have that are just a basic overview. I was hoping someone would be able to point me to the effected accumulator. I herd there are 3 but really can only find 2 as I remember. I am a die hard DIY guy and hope I can get a little help approaching this project. I ordered a lift for my garage and wont get started until it arrives. I got a single post lift below. I do a lot of work and really need it.

I am looking at replacing the hose and pump and one accumulator just not sure which one as yet. It might be self explanatory when I get it apart but I'm sure you guys know a bunch more about this than I.

saintz

I believe there are 2 accumulators. I would change both. If one is bad, they probably both are.

JHouse

Tell us about the lift! Price/source.

driveability

I think replacing both accumulators is good advise.

The lift cost around 2,500 plus shipping


http://www.naautoequipment.com/MSC-6...lumn-lift.html

AlphaSRT-8

driveability- Is that your house with the lift? I would LOVE to do that but my HOA would send the gods from the sky to have me killed.....

JHouse

That lift is SOOOOO cool. Portable is so perfect.

kustom2k1

Wonder if an E55 setup would work..
I can see this happening with that lift...alot

boost420

I drove in a s430 that had replaced all of the air suspension. It drove like a tuna boat, it felt more like a Lincoln Town Car than a Mercedes, but different strokes for different folks.