Rebuilt Rear ABC Valve Block Today
#76
Senior Member
Sure, I understand what you meant about heating the white plastic rings. Sorry, perhaps I didn't word that very well in my response. Ordinarily valve blocks with the white spacer rings, those spacer rings should not have to ever be replaced. If one does mess with them and damage them, my first choice would be to replace the white spacer rings with the square cut o-rings, again as spacers, just as the other type of ABC blocks use.
Last edited by jnash; 07-13-2015 at 06:57 PM.
#77
Junior Member
Thread Starter
These Teflon seals are actually backup rings to prevent the o'rings from getting chewed up when the sillinoid is actuating. If not installed the o'rings will wear prematurely. TO INSTALL: you must heat up the ptfe Teflon ring evenly with torch the place over the part it should shrink back to its normal size if not reheat again while on part, then immidietly place a cold wet rag over the seal and it will bring it back to original size.
only time it sags is during the winter after about two months of sitting .
Dave
#78
Senior Member
2 months is great! Glad to hear it's still working. I too don't understand why it's not ok to use orings as spacers. At most it's possible to put more strain on the solenoids but compared to the spring tension I doubt it. It would be my second choice to use orings as spacers if I didn't have the square cut O-rings.
#79
Sure, I understand what you meant about heating the white plastic rings. Sorry, perhaps I didn't word that very well in my response. Ordinarily valve blocks with the white spacer rings, those spacer rings should not have to ever be replaced. If one does mess with them and damage them, my first choice would be to replace the white spacer rings with the square cut o-rings, again as spacers, just as the other type of ABC blocks use.
Lol no worries, it was actually reading your (ABC) write ups that convinced me it was a safe bet to acquire my S55 AMG. I'm currently in school for my aviation maintenance degree and the ABC system has a very close resemblance to alot of aircrafts hydraulic systems. My goal is to come across a worn strut and see what the possibility's of rebuilding one.
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ChrisVannoy (07-31-2021)
#85
MBWorld Fanatic!
I haven't done the rear, but I rebuilt my front valve block. I assume the rear is not significantly different. It is just some wires, hoses, and mounting bolts. YOU CAN DO IT! Even without pictures. Here is a Youtube video of a front rebuild so watch that you will be confident enough to rebuild the rear block.
Last edited by Dr Matt; 04-13-2016 at 02:17 PM.
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AMG_55_cruiser (06-08-2019),
shooffnyc (04-13-2016)
#86
Junior Member
Hi Switta,
My kit will arrive in the next few days (From Europe to South Africa). Was indeed a bit concerned about doing the job myself but you make it sound so easy I am now confident to tackle the job on both valve blocks. Thanks a lot
My kit will arrive in the next few days (From Europe to South Africa). Was indeed a bit concerned about doing the job myself but you make it sound so easy I am now confident to tackle the job on both valve blocks. Thanks a lot
#87
Junior Member
What about the newer hose connectors on a new block?
Looking for a rebuilder - Mr. Nash?
I am not comfortable pulling the block without a spare. Someone recommended the newer post 2006 valves as more trouble free. I would buy one of those and send mine off for overhaul. However, the newer blocks I have seen have different hose connectors and do not appear to have a threaded connection at all.
So my question is - if I buy a newer style valve block to swap in can I make the connections to my hoses?
How does the dealership install a new valve block, do they sell a version for the older cars? Do they change all the hoses too?? That is almost impossible without pulling the engine and transmission.
I am not comfortable pulling the block without a spare. Someone recommended the newer post 2006 valves as more trouble free. I would buy one of those and send mine off for overhaul. However, the newer blocks I have seen have different hose connectors and do not appear to have a threaded connection at all.
So my question is - if I buy a newer style valve block to swap in can I make the connections to my hoses?
How does the dealership install a new valve block, do they sell a version for the older cars? Do they change all the hoses too?? That is almost impossible without pulling the engine and transmission.
#88
Senior Member
I'm still rebuilding them, the pre-2006 design that is. While there appears to be different versions these days, there is for sure a compatible one for your car. The new one will be a drop in. Please message me for rebuilding the old one(s).
Best,
-Jim
Best,
-Jim
#89
New ones will fit in no problem, they just changed the design a little so you can't open them up anymore. Don't buy a new one, rebuild your current one, DIY at www.DIYBenzRepair.com or I posted it on the forum a while ago
#93
Junior Member
JD Powers Report
An experienced MB SA from a "galaxy far far away" from me told me that there is no periodic ABC fluid maintenance in the Owners Service Book because this would lead to a huge $$$$ spike in the "Overall Cost of Ownership" (here in NA, anyway) in the J.D. Powers survey. You can just guess the negative headlines this would get...
One wonders how many other brands/marques do the same thing. For example, last I checked BMW has a 15K mile oil change interval. Thus lower cost of ownership....
Remember that most people keep their aspirational brands for less than 3 years so if there is a problem it gets covered under the warranty in many cases...
BTW if anyone is interested in knowing a service facility in southern NE and the NY/NJ metro area that actually understands how to service ABC properly and completely at a fair price please drop me a PM.
Grane
One wonders how many other brands/marques do the same thing. For example, last I checked BMW has a 15K mile oil change interval. Thus lower cost of ownership....
Remember that most people keep their aspirational brands for less than 3 years so if there is a problem it gets covered under the warranty in many cases...
BTW if anyone is interested in knowing a service facility in southern NE and the NY/NJ metro area that actually understands how to service ABC properly and completely at a fair price please drop me a PM.
Grane
Deferred Maintenance to lower operating costs! Interesting fact and yes probably all manufacturers do it. My Nissan Maxima and my two BMWs really took me for a ride. BMW offered free maintenance and never changed the oil filter - not necessary they said. Nissan ditto. Suddenly at the end of the warranty - bang you need a major service for $1,800 and those front control arms are shot. Of course two weeks before I bring the car in to get anything repaired I can under warranty. They are such great cars they need nothing! Till the warranty expires then you get dirty looks about lack of maintenance!
If anyone found a way to force the dealers to actually do the repairs we are entitled to please let me know.
#94
Deferred Maintenance to lower operating costs! Interesting fact and yes probably all manufacturers do it. My Nissan Maxima and my two BMWs really took me for a ride. BMW offered free maintenance and never changed the oil filter - not necessary they said. Nissan ditto. Suddenly at the end of the warranty - bang you need a major service for $1,800 and those front control arms are shot. Of course two weeks before I bring the car in to get anything repaired I can under warranty. They are such great cars they need nothing! Till the warranty expires then you get dirty looks about lack of maintenance!
If anyone found a way to force the dealers to actually do the repairs we are entitled to please let me know.
If anyone found a way to force the dealers to actually do the repairs we are entitled to please let me know.
#95
Sent you a PM
Sent you a PM on valve block rebuilding.
Sent you a PM on valve block rebuilding.
#96
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: SoCal - OC
Posts: 266
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2004 CL55, 2003 SL55 and 2009 G55
Lol no worries, it was actually reading your (ABC) write ups that convinced me it was a safe bet to acquire my S55 AMG. I'm currently in school for my aviation maintenance degree and the ABC system has a very close resemblance to alot of aircrafts hydraulic systems. My goal is to come across a worn strut and see what the possibility's of rebuilding one.
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ChrisVannoy (07-31-2021)
#97
if you have a valve block about to fail flushing the abc will bring out the problem for sure .
it washes all the derbies that may be sealing around the o-rings and causes it to leak by them .
i am glad i did it though my fluid was black and hydraulic fluid gets very hot and eventually brakes down just like break fluid . the debris end up like abrasive particles in your system , sure the filter gets a lot of it but fine particles are still running through the system and can cause early failures .
i ran into that several times with backhoes and loaders we owned throughout the years .
you don't need the square o-rings they really don't serve as a seal but more as a spacer , i don't understand why they did that ? they don't slide in the sleeve of the cylinder block so it couldn't be a resistance issue the piston in the solenoid slides , there is a square o-ring on it that would be nice to replace but you would have to be spot on with it to not bind the piston in the solenoid . just stack up o-rings or space them out with smaller ones . more o-rings better sealing IMO .
Dave
it washes all the derbies that may be sealing around the o-rings and causes it to leak by them .
i am glad i did it though my fluid was black and hydraulic fluid gets very hot and eventually brakes down just like break fluid . the debris end up like abrasive particles in your system , sure the filter gets a lot of it but fine particles are still running through the system and can cause early failures .
i ran into that several times with backhoes and loaders we owned throughout the years .
you don't need the square o-rings they really don't serve as a seal but more as a spacer , i don't understand why they did that ? they don't slide in the sleeve of the cylinder block so it couldn't be a resistance issue the piston in the solenoid slides , there is a square o-ring on it that would be nice to replace but you would have to be spot on with it to not bind the piston in the solenoid . just stack up o-rings or space them out with smaller ones . more o-rings better sealing IMO .
Dave
When I had the scanner I was going to try and do a calibration to level the passenger side that 1/2" but didn't go any further because I was afraid of damaging something. I also wanted to replace the fluid and filter but I was afraid to do a "rodeo" for fear of stressing and damaging the ABC system.
Can I do an effective fluid flush raising and lowering the suspension with the buttons in the car or should I do a rodeo or neither. Fluid was never changed and looks dirty. Again, I think a rodeo would put more stress than just using the buttons in the car.
Was the spit up of the fluid the result of a bad front or rear large accumulator, the front pulsation dampner or the rear "air cell"?
Should I change all four of those parts.
Will a good flush maybe fix the error code C1531-8 listed above.
Despite all of this the car seems to ride fine, no leaks and doesn't sag,
This car was once my brothers who died last year unexpectedly at 55. So I just want to make it perfect the way he would have wanted.
Any advice on how to get the car level? Maybe a calibration but how do I do that with the Autel scanner. I see the option to do it but not quite sure. Any step by step instructions would be great. By the way I recently had an alignment at the dealer and everything was done within tolerance except for "rear axle vehicle level ready for driving mm/°) before alignment: left 9mm/-0.5° after 9mm/-0.5° right before 5mm/-0.9° right after 5mm/-0.9° target data: -2.2mm/ +/-1.0°. Don't know if that has anything to do with the passenger side height. Any help would be great and any diagnosis of the ABC system from the warnings and codes would be great. Sorry for so much info.
Oh. an indy mechanic I spoke to about this, he didn't inspect the car, told me to beware of the battery in the trunk. If it is allowed to go low on charge is known to cause a lot of faults.
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by sbournazos; 12-02-2020 at 10:04 PM.
#98
Senior Member
What did you clean the valves (not the block) with? Isopropyl alcohol?
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biker349 (04-26-2021)
#99
Last edited by ChrisVannoy; 07-31-2021 at 08:15 PM.
#100