S-Class (W140) 1991-1999: 300 SD, S 350TD, 300 SE 2.8, S280, 300 SE 3.2, 300 SEL 3.2, S320, S320L, 400 SE, S420, 400 SEL, S420L, 500 SE, S500, 500 SEL, S500L, 600 SE, S600, 600 SEL, S600L, 500 SEC, 600 SEC

'98 S500 - ADS or Not??

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Old May 6, 2007 | 12:04 AM
  #1  
dmacgreg's Avatar
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From: NorCal
1998 S500
'98 S500 - ADS or Not??

My owner's manual describes the ADS (adaptive damping system) and calls out the button location on the center console however I do not have that control on the center console. I plan on doing some rear suspension work (bushing replacements) and would like to know what I will need to deal with. The service info on AllDataDIY only shows one type of rear suspension with the hydraulic struts.

How can I tell (other than the obvious crawl underneath and look) what type of rear suspension that I have? Is the auto-leveling the same as the ADS or are they different systems?

Thanks as always - Duncan
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Old May 7, 2007 | 02:14 AM
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2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Only the W140 S600 models had the ADS. The load leveling feature is seperate from ADS. Load leveling is only at the rear wheels and ADS is a 4-wheels setup.

M
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Old May 7, 2007 | 02:24 AM
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1998 S500
Thanks for the info. I assume that the rear struts for load leveling or ADS are similar? I only see one type illustrated in the manuals. I'll have to dig into this soon....
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Old May 7, 2007 | 05:04 AM
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1993 300SEL/S320
Originally Posted by Germancar1
Only the W140 S600 models had the ADS. The load leveling feature is seperate from ADS. Load leveling is only at the rear wheels and ADS is a 4-wheels setup.

M
No it was an option on all W140, but some don't have it.
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Old May 7, 2007 | 07:45 AM
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Peter Guenther's Avatar
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From: Fl
92 500sel/01 320e wag
The rear load leveling shocks had a valve in line to control fluid flow, and the fronts had the valve buit into the shock . They were controlled by a series of sensors and a computer module
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Old May 10, 2007 | 08:00 AM
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pcmaher's Avatar
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From: Chicago, IL
1995 S600 Sedan
http://v12uberalles.com/Adaptive_Damping_System.htm

http://v12uberalles.com/Rear_Struts.htm
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Old May 10, 2007 | 12:04 PM
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dmacgreg's Avatar
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From: NorCal
1998 S500
Excellent info as always! I've read this before but now I really understand the differences and common components between the ADS and levelling systems. You are very correct about the amount of mis-information that exists out on the Internet and even the MB forums. Many opinions but often lacking in accuracy!

Thanks again.

FYI - I did finally manage to get my A-pillar inner cover securely re-attached by bending the wire/cover clips. A little tricky since it's a blind operation to install it but works great once it's all lined up correctly.
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