Replacing the ABC system
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 386
Likes: 12
Cl65 AMG
Replacing the ABC system
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 
MBworld Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 10
From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
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
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
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 386
Likes: 12
Cl65 AMG
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.
MBworld Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 10
From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
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!
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 939
Likes: 5
From: Del Mar, CA
2003 CL600 2005 745Li
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.
.
Where are you located? There is a shop here in So Ca that has done this, you may want to call them also.
.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Charleston, SC
GL450
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.
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.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: London UK
S500 LWB ( W221 ) - CL63 Biturbo ( W216 ) CL 55 Kompressor ( W215 Sold ) C43 AMG ( W202 Sold )
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.
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.
+ 1
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Houston Exburb-Richmond TX
2014 CLS 550 & 2004 CL55
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.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 386
Likes: 12
Cl65 AMG
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.
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.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 386
Likes: 12
Cl65 AMG
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
The lift cost around 2,500 plus shipping
http://www.naautoequipment.com/MSC-6...lumn-lift.html
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
08 C63 AMG, 07 Jeep GC SRT-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.....
