BTW this is on a 2002 CL500 but I imagine this apply to the w220 also. So I will post it here too.


So I decided to document this. One , because I have no idea what Im doing and hope people will chime in, and two to help others.


Long story short I found out my ABC Hose had a leak, THIS IS NOT THE ONE that requires an engine lift. I wouldn't even be attempting that one. I believe it is hose 110 and it comes off the valve with a marking of P. I could see the leak at the top of the hose as it curled back behind the wheel.


P mark







First I thought it was the bottom (circled in red), Turns out it spraying from the top, circled in red, also.




Now, my pump and everything still works. My fluid was low, abc sign came on, filled it, light went off and everything worked perfectly. I never would have noticed anything had I not saw the puddle on the floor. getting back out after the test drive of filling it with a liter of ABC fluid. ( Im cheap, I use pentosin)




EVERY DIAGRAM SHOWS THIS HOSE BEING ONE CONTIOUNUS HOSE ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK. it is not. Thank (whatever deity you believe in) its not. It actually goes shortly behind the wheel well. This self taught lesson came from me refusing to believe Mercedes are just that badly engineered and looking at it myself.


I managed to get the inner fender from the front passenger wheel off quite easily, you just need a socket wrench (forgot the bit size) but if your attempting this I expect the individual to have an array of parts in his tool box. I tried to mark the cable and its fastening in red. Apparently I suck at paint. need one of those fancy graphic tablets.





This is a closer connection behind the front wheel wale .





So for the moment this is how far I have gotten. Its sunday and even If was to take this off today I cant buy the hose or get the original redone. Im off weds so it will have to wait till then. Any advice anyone wants to give me at this point would be appreciated. It is my understanding that this is not a fatal hose to have to remove. I can just take it off. cap the ends so nothing gets in the system, repair the hose or purchase new, re attach, fill with ABC fluid and back to rolling. Just after replacing I need to move the vehicle up and down a few times to make sure fluid level is accurate.


So far so good.

 

So I've decided I think I'm just going to bring the hose to a hydraulics place and have them rebuild it. I will keep everyone informed.

 

Nice you found the leak and you gonna save your ABC.
Yes, it is the pressure line feed into the ValveBody from the splitting point.

Seems like your adventure started.

Good luck.

Howard

 

My car has ABC suspension and every morning when I walk into the garage I'm praying she is still standing tall. Had the pump changed about 3 years ago.

 

So this went pretty straight forward. Took the hose off, I had to buy a new one at the dealership for 93 bucks. The hydraulic place down here couldn't make a new line because the neck was to short. But, people at Mercedes were nice, just as long as your spending money. I did see the new cla45, that thing is nice... One day...


The new hose they gave me was capped at both ends. when I got home I partially filled it with fluid and just installed it. WHEN I removed the old hose I use a torn plastic trash bag to fill and cover of both openings so nothing would get inside. I also cleaned the areas with a tooth brush before I removed any of the fastenings. surprisingly I did not loose that much fluid changing out the hose. I thought there was going to be 3-4 cans worth laying on the ground. Lost not even a full can.


After the hose change, up and down about 10 times and went for a drive. The ABC light blue was one for a second when I first started. I cycled up and down 5 times, turned off. Toped with fluid, cycle up and down 5 more times and all is good. Test drive was good. Im content for now.


I have it, I see the benefit of it. But, I studied the system top to bottom before I attempted to do this and first off, this is the most over engineered suspension system in the world. I just wonder what mad man thought this up. Yes, the system works. This would be great on a race car or something but for an everyday vehicle its a bit much. I do the speed limit, I don't bob and weave through traffic. I don't need this much capability. I just want to enjoy the car. It does ride really good however, I cant complain. Mops the floor with coil anything and I actually enjoy it more than my airmatic. But, the @#*& you go through to keep the system. I still going to chuck it around the end of the year. This was one messing job. Please, anyone attempting to change a basic abc hose WHERE SURGICAL GLOVES, this was the messiest job I ever done in a car.







Stay Everyone

 

I know that hurt the wallet, What made the pump go out? that's one of my biggest fears in getting rid of the system eventually.

 

Don't know what caused the problem but it was under warranty at the time.