My ABC Delete Thread
Thread Starter
MBworld Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 10
From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
Here is some info for you guys:
ABC has been replaced with an air suspension setup. This setup is all custom fabricated. The front is based off an Airlift universal front strut and the rear was unable to utilize the factory strut-style setup. Instead, the rear subframe was removed and bag mounts were gusseted and welded to the subframe. In lieu of the factory lower control arms, new ones were fabricated to mount to the lower part of the bag. Both front and rear shocks have adjustable dampening, but I not have had too much time yet to play around with it.
Now on to the air management. I have Accuair E-Level and iLevel. E-Level is very similar to the factory in that it utilizes height sensors at all four corners to constantly read to ensure the car is level to within insane tolerances. The iLevel iPhone app is amazing, and allows me to choose from three height settings, or adjust on the fly, with the car on or off.
Some things to note: The ride is great. Similar to factory in comfort, and certainly nicer at the height I am riding at compared to factory. I have yet to add sway bars to the car. I have driven over 500 miles since finishing the air setup, and I have to say it has not been scary without sway bars. I wouldn't take a sharp turn at 60 mph, but for normal around town driving, it has been fine. I will still be adding sway bars of course, but just thought I'd throw that out there.
Next on the list is to R&R the ABC pump with an S500 pump, as well as remove all of the ABC hardware from the vehicle.
Here are a few pics of the rear suspension, and the amazing amount of fabrication and time involved. Note: the rear air bags were temporary for the pictures, hence you will see some wear on them. They have since been replaced.
ABC has been replaced with an air suspension setup. This setup is all custom fabricated. The front is based off an Airlift universal front strut and the rear was unable to utilize the factory strut-style setup. Instead, the rear subframe was removed and bag mounts were gusseted and welded to the subframe. In lieu of the factory lower control arms, new ones were fabricated to mount to the lower part of the bag. Both front and rear shocks have adjustable dampening, but I not have had too much time yet to play around with it.
Now on to the air management. I have Accuair E-Level and iLevel. E-Level is very similar to the factory in that it utilizes height sensors at all four corners to constantly read to ensure the car is level to within insane tolerances. The iLevel iPhone app is amazing, and allows me to choose from three height settings, or adjust on the fly, with the car on or off.
Some things to note: The ride is great. Similar to factory in comfort, and certainly nicer at the height I am riding at compared to factory. I have yet to add sway bars to the car. I have driven over 500 miles since finishing the air setup, and I have to say it has not been scary without sway bars. I wouldn't take a sharp turn at 60 mph, but for normal around town driving, it has been fine. I will still be adding sway bars of course, but just thought I'd throw that out there.
Next on the list is to R&R the ABC pump with an S500 pump, as well as remove all of the ABC hardware from the vehicle.
Here are a few pics of the rear suspension, and the amazing amount of fabrication and time involved. Note: the rear air bags were temporary for the pictures, hence you will see some wear on them. They have since been replaced.
Thread Starter
MBworld Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 10
From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
Thread Starter
MBworld Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 10
From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
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Thread Starter
MBworld Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 10
From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
Thread Starter
MBworld Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 10
From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 55
Likes: 1
2005 sl600
I just did this same mod to my sl600 r230
Shop here in houston did it. My abc took a crap and I refused to pay 9k to fix a flawed system. My system is bolt on though and can be returned to normal.
Congrats on a awesome set up
Shop here in houston did it. My abc took a crap and I refused to pay 9k to fix a flawed system. My system is bolt on though and can be returned to normal.
Congrats on a awesome set up
Thread Starter
MBworld Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 10
From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
Thank you!
Are you still running the factory ABC pump? Do you plan on swapping to a non-ABC one?
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 55
Likes: 1
2005 sl600
now. I plan on swapping.the pump like you if this happens to not work add they planned.
Thread Starter
MBworld Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 10
From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
That's like the cost of an ABC pump and strut change at the dealership. That's not bad. Most would pay that to get rid of ABC and still have an adjustable suspension. I'd imagine there would be an economy of scale with more copies of the suspension.
Thread Starter
MBworld Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 10
From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
The problem is the rear suspension. Take that away and it's pretty easy. That cost includes the W220 pump, control arms, etc..
