My ABC Delete Thread
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MBworld Guru
Joined: May 2006
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From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
My ABC Delete Thread
It has begun!
ABC is being eliminated slowly but surely. I can't give too much info into my new suspension yet, but it should be pretty neat when it's all done.
I can tell you this is no small feat. Here is what has been done:
Here is what is left to do:
Of course, these things always seem to take longer than anticipated, but at least there is some progress. All of my factory ABC components will be available for purchase if anyone is looking for something
ABC is being eliminated slowly but surely. I can't give too much info into my new suspension yet, but it should be pretty neat when it's all done.
I can tell you this is no small feat. Here is what has been done:
- Remove factory struts
- Remove factory height sensor arms and brackets
- Cap off factory lines to strut
- Replace front lower control arms with W220 non-ABC
Here is what is left to do:
- Completely install new suspension
- Swap ABC pump to W220 non-ABC power steering pump
- Completely remove all ABC components (lines, blocks, etc.)
- Install front and rear swaybars (rear will require lowering the subframe)
- Code ABC out of the vehicle
Of course, these things always seem to take longer than anticipated, but at least there is some progress. All of my factory ABC components will be available for purchase if anyone is looking for something
Thread Starter
MBworld Guru
Joined: May 2006
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From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
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2003 CL55
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E63 Biturbo, UPD Cold Air induction kit, UPD performance crank pulley and UPD adjustable rear suspension with ride height adjustment.
CL55 UPD Cold Air Boost kit, UPD 3000 stall converter, UPD 77mm SC clutched pulley and beltwrap kit, Custom long tubes, UPD crank pulley , UPD suspension kit, UPD SC pulley, Aux. HE, Trunk tank w/rule 2000 pump, Mezeire pump, UPD 5pc idler set, Aluminum rotor hats.
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instagram @ultimate_pd
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E63 Biturbo, UPD Cold Air induction kit, UPD performance crank pulley and UPD adjustable rear suspension with ride height adjustment.
CL55 UPD Cold Air Boost kit, UPD 3000 stall converter, UPD 77mm SC clutched pulley and beltwrap kit, Custom long tubes, UPD crank pulley , UPD suspension kit, UPD SC pulley, Aux. HE, Trunk tank w/rule 2000 pump, Mezeire pump, UPD 5pc idler set, Aluminum rotor hats.
www.ultimatepd.com
instagram @ultimate_pd
facebook.com/ultimatepd
Thread Starter
MBworld Guru
Joined: May 2006
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From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
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I think this is not going to turn out as expected.
The Germans went to great lengths to install the abc system at great increase in price and complexity. Yet they have determined that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. The 5000 pound performance and lux oriented cars need it.
In my mind any static suspension will underperform as the contradictory requirements of road feel and lux ride are not easily achievable in such scenario.
But... Who knows. Let us know how it turns out. Good luck
The Germans went to great lengths to install the abc system at great increase in price and complexity. Yet they have determined that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. The 5000 pound performance and lux oriented cars need it.
In my mind any static suspension will underperform as the contradictory requirements of road feel and lux ride are not easily achievable in such scenario.
But... Who knows. Let us know how it turns out. Good luck
Last edited by alx; Jan 3, 2014 at 12:45 PM.
Can't wait to see how it turns out my friend! 
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JBs C63 PP( wifes car ), Mc Laren Pxx(toy), 2013 Mustang GT 5.0 ( DD ), ML 6.3 ( winter DD )...
Wow...all I can say is all of luck for that conversion...there is really alot of work and knowledge involved for that, hopefully you get everything right and can help other people converting their into an ABCless CL.
Again good luck...and r.e.s.p.e.c.t.
Again good luck...and r.e.s.p.e.c.t.
Thread Starter
MBworld Guru
Joined: May 2006
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From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
I think this is not going to turn out as expected. The Germans went to great lengths to install the abc system at great increase in price and complexity. Yet they have determined that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. The 5000 pound performance and lux oriented cars need it. In my mind any static suspension will underperform as the contradictory requirements of road feel and lux ride are not easily achievable in such scenario. But... Who knows. Let us know how it turns out. Good luck
That being said, it is the Achilles heal of reliability for this car. I wanted to be proactive in finding an alternative that would be good for me, but not for everybody.
To feel comfortable taking my car on long trips, not worrying about bursting a line or having the pump fail on me outweighs the performance positives.
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Joined: May 2007
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From: United Kingdom
CLK56TT (WIP), S65, RR 5.0 S/C
ABC is a terrific suspension. No one is arguing that. Nothing will handle or ride quite like ABC does.
That being said, it is the Achilles heal of reliability for this car. I wanted to be proactive in finding an alternative that would be good for me, but not for everybody.
To feel comfortable taking my car on long trips, not worrying about bursting a line or having the pump fail on me outweighs the performance positives.
That being said, it is the Achilles heal of reliability for this car. I wanted to be proactive in finding an alternative that would be good for me, but not for everybody.
To feel comfortable taking my car on long trips, not worrying about bursting a line or having the pump fail on me outweighs the performance positives.
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
Hats off to you for doing something different but surely pipes don't burst and pumps don't die out of the blue. There's a reason for everything. You go to an extent of replacing an entire suspension. IMHO it would have been much easier to learn how ABC works and I mean in details, then fix up all leaking hoses (if any) or rebuild the pump, struts, valve blocks if they are underperforming... that makes more sense especially for when you decide to sell the car. ABC is quite simple once you suss it out and keeping it working is just a matter of regular maintenance. Anyway not talking you out of it, good luck with the project, it's definitely courageous and interesting
My hydraulic knowledge is fairly extensive, and I understand ABC quite well.
Everything was performing well. No leaks, no dropping corners. However, it's only a matter of time before something happens, and I don't want to live in fear of it happening.
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From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
ABC is pretty simple to maitain once you understand the principles and how all the parts work in tandem.
Replacing lines, nitrogen spheres, etc. when you notice any issues is straight forward. Spheres generally will last for 100-125,000 miles. Lines much longer. Pumps are hot and miss.
Having a Xentry/DAS workshop computer is almost necessary for diagnosing the sensors, etc.
With that said, the system maintenance could become expensive if you need to start replacing the pump, etc. But this is a CL and that is to be expected. Peace of mind is a good thing but seems like throwing the baby out with the bath water.
In any event, keep us updated.
Replacing lines, nitrogen spheres, etc. when you notice any issues is straight forward. Spheres generally will last for 100-125,000 miles. Lines much longer. Pumps are hot and miss.
Having a Xentry/DAS workshop computer is almost necessary for diagnosing the sensors, etc.
With that said, the system maintenance could become expensive if you need to start replacing the pump, etc. But this is a CL and that is to be expected. Peace of mind is a good thing but seems like throwing the baby out with the bath water.
In any event, keep us updated.
Last edited by awiner; Jan 3, 2014 at 07:22 PM.
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The ABC suspension, in my opinion, is such an unreliable system. It really kills the resale value of the car and the over all reliability. If it weren't for the ABC, I would still own a CL. It's a craptacularly wonderful system. MB needs a better suspension or, at least, one that will disconnect the pump when a hose blows so it doesn't self distruct.
I wish the OP success in his venture. I hope it works out great for you.
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2015 Challenger Hellcat, 2023 Ram 3500, 2005 E55 Wagon, 2019 GLC63s
My personal experience is they will and do burst out of the blue. In fact, I had two of them that did just that over a 20,000 mile range. One burst when I wasn't even moving. I hear a loud pop and the red ABC warning light came on. Both hoses burst with under 85,000 miles so the comment about the hoses lasting more than 100,000 miles is BS in my experience. I think you are lucky to get 75,000 miles out of the hoses before you need to start replacing. Mine started going around 65,000 miles. Maybe it was the Florida heat causing the problems? I really don't know.
The ABC suspension, in my opinion, is such an unreliable system. It really kills the resale value of the car and the over all reliability. If it weren't for the ABC, I would still own a CL. It's a craptacularly wonderful system. MB needs a better suspension or, at least, one that will disconnect the pump when a hose blows so it doesn't self distruct.
I wish the OP success in his venture. I hope it works out great for you.
The ABC suspension, in my opinion, is such an unreliable system. It really kills the resale value of the car and the over all reliability. If it weren't for the ABC, I would still own a CL. It's a craptacularly wonderful system. MB needs a better suspension or, at least, one that will disconnect the pump when a hose blows so it doesn't self distruct.
I wish the OP success in his venture. I hope it works out great for you.
I can almost guarantee that those hoses that burst were weeping already and you didn't notice it.
R.K.
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From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
Well, I'll keep all updated, and I'll be honest in my assessment of ABC vs. non-ABC. I have no incentive to being biased. As I have said already, ABC is fantastic and I loved the way my car handled. I just want to be a little adventurous
