Zachmac

Looking at all the various posts across several models concerning ABC problems, is it time to try to create a separate section on the site dedicated to ABC problems / fixes?

Anyway, having just done the dreaded ABC pump replacement out of pocket in July, my 04S55 is now drooping in the front left overnight on a regular basis. Startup and raise suspension seems to "reset" it and it otherwise works fine. I suspect given all I have read I am either looking at a failed front left strut or an interanlly leaking valve block thaty is letting pressure from that corner leak back to the resevoir? I will start looking for leaks but barring that, guess I'll try valve body?

Does anyone have a complete diagram of the system and or explanation of functions of each component and overall operation? I am determined to STOP paying stealership prices to fix this known weak link!

Viet - haven't you done quite a lot of reseach on this? Do you have any good tech drawings or information? Any way short of finding / not finding an obvous leak to know if its the strut or the valve block?

Note to board administrator: any chance we can start a new ABC section or caprture all the ABC related threads in one place or sticky?

Corsa9000

Zach,

How much did the ABC pump replacement cost you? Was it done by a Dealer or Indy?

Thanks.

Viet_Amg408

sup Zachmac..

damn abc problem again ...

so no leak at the strut itself?

also look at your abc fluid condition...is it dark?

NOTE: Vehicle lowering is generally not the result of a malfunction of a suspension strut. The suspension strut can only be responsible for vehicle lowering if it has an external leak. This can be recognized by an oil fouled boot.

let me go find some pictures...i'll post it up in a bit..

Viet_Amg408

<center> Suspension - Vehicle Lowers After Sitting Notes Date: November 24, 2008
Order No.: P-B-32.50/34e
Supersedes: P-B-32.50/34d September 16, 2008

<center>




Model 215.373/374/375/376/378/379 Model 220.170/173/174/175/176/178/179, Equipped with Code 487 (Active Body Control)
Model 230.474/475/476/479
Vehicle Level Lowers After Being Parked
If you receive customer reports in the above model vehicles of the vehicle's suspension level lowering after being parked (engine off) and any combination of the following fault codes stored, perform the corresponding action based upon the present condition.
NOTE: The vehicle's level may lower at any of the following: an individual strut, front or rear axle, right or left vehicle side and/or complete vehicle.
NOTE: For both conditions listed below, large temperature differences in the ABC suspension system between operating and when stationary for an extended period can also cause the vehicle to lower slightly. The lowering is caused by temperature dependent volume changes in the ABC oil within the suspension struts. The vehicle can lower up to 10 mm when the temperature difference is 30 degrees C (ABC operating temperature 20 degrees C / outside ambient temperature -10 degrees C ). Condition 1:
If a vehicle lowers after being stationary (engine off) within approximately one week, this is likely due to internal leakage in the check valve of the front (Y36/1) or rear (Y36/2) axle valve blocks. The internal leakage is the result of deposits or contamination on the valve seat of the check valve. In order to remove the deposits, filter the ABC system (reference WIS document AR32.50-P-0025A). If the complaint still continues to occur after the above procedure, the respective valve block must be replaced with revised parts, follow the procedure listed below.
NOTE: For Model 230, corresponding hydraulic lines and a guard plate are also required; refer to the parts information table. 1. Clean the oil reservoir, especially the lower portion of tank which has a small "tit" (Figure 1, circle) which can get a build-up of debris. You may need to pick the debris out of this area. Refer to WIS document GF32.50-P-4900A.
2. Filter ABC system (refer to WIS document AR32.50-P-0025A). Rodeo procedure should be performed for 0.5 hours in order to ensure fluid is at full operating temperature 3. Raise vehicle level with STAR Diagnosis to the maximum level via the following menu path: Control Units -> Chassis -> Suspension -> ABC Active Body Control -> Actuations -> Control and Locking Valve (for each suspension strut) -> F3 (Switch on) -> F5 (+) -> F4 (switch off). 4. Bleed oil from struts via bleed screws. Refer to WIS document AR32.50-P-0001-01N. 5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 three times. This removes any debris contained within the struts. Ensure that there is sufficient oil within the reservoir between each bleed routine. 6. Remove valve block. Refer to the following WIS documents: Model 215/220 - AR32.50-P-0001N and AR32.50-P-0002N and Model 230 - AR32.50-P-0001R and AR32.50-P-0002R. 7. Thoroughly clean threaded connections / hydraulic lines. 8. Replace valve block. Refer to the following WIS documents: Model 215/220 - AR32.50-P-0001N and AR32.50-P-0002N and Model 230 - AR32.50-P-0001R and AR32.50-P-0002R. 9. Filter ABC system. Refer to WIS document AR32.50-P-0025A. Rodeo procedure should be performed for 0.5 hours in order to ensure fluid is at full operating temperature. 10. Ensure correct ABC fluid level. CAUTION : It is imperative that the utmost attention for cleanliness be observed when working on the ABC suspension system in order to ensure that no contamination enters the system. Small particles of debris can contaminate the hydraulic fluid, thus causing internal leakage. Condition 2:
If a vehicle lowers only after being stationary (engine off) for more than approximately a week, this is a characteristic of the hydraulic design and is not a complaint that requires a repair. The check valves in the front and rear axle valve blocks have a metal valve seat. The inherent design of this sealing method, required for system durability, permits a limited level of leakage which can result in the vehicle slowly lowering. If the vehicle does not lower significantly until after approximately one week has passed, do not perform any repair attempts. NOTE: The dropping vehicle level is not caused by a suspension strut. The suspension strut can only be responsible for a dropped vehicle level if it exhibits an external leak. This leak can be recognized by oil fouling on the boot.
Parts Information
NOTE: The following allowable labor operations should be used when submitting a warranty claim for this repair. This information has been generated on November 11, 2008. Please refer to Netstar -> Star TekInfo -> Star Time for the most current labor time allowance.
In Case of Warranty
Operation: Short test, perform (54-1011)
Hydraulic Fluid of ABC System (After Check), Filter (32-7501)
Rodeo test - perform (32-0000)
Active Body Control (ABC) - Front & Rear, Bleed (32-7498)
Valve body - front axle for Act. Body Cont. (ABC), replace (32-7545)
Valve body - rear axle for Act. Body Contr. (ABC), replace (32-7546)

Viet_Amg408

have you read oxygen valve block replacement?

https://mbworld.org/forums/cl55-amg-...-pictures.html

https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...lves-s600.html

Viet_Amg408

Showed Mode 215..but its same for 220...

Viet_Amg408

Are you planning to Replace the valve unit Yourself?

Viet_Amg408

YOU CAN FIRST TRY FILTERING THE ABC SYSTEM..BUT THAT USUALLY DONT' WORK...
Date: October 11, 2006
Order No.: P-B-32.50/42
Supersedes:
Group: 32 SUBJECT:
Model 215.373/374/375/376/378/379 Model 220.170/173/174/175/176/178/179, with Active Body Control (ABC) code 487
Model 221.171/176/179, with Active Body Control (ABC) code 487
Model 230.471/474/475/476/477/479
All Model Years
Vehicle Level Lowers on a Single Axle
If you receive customer reports in the above model vehicles of the vehicle's level lowering on a single axle on a single side after an idle time lasting from 1 day to one week, perform the new filter repair method as outlined in WIS document AR32.50-P-0025A instead of the previous flushing method.
Leveling complaints resulting from dirty ABC hydraulic fluid can be rectified just as effectively by filtering as by the conventional flushing method (replacing the hydraulic fluid). The new repair method is possible because the mesh width of the ABC filter was modified from 10 micron to 3 micron. Filtering is of no use if the ABC fluid is dark black or smells burnt. In such cases the hydraulic fluid must be replaced, reference WIS document AR32.50-P-0026A.
NOTE: Vehicle lowering is generally not the result of a malfunction of a suspension strut. The suspension strut can only be responsible for vehicle lowering if it has an external leak. This can be recognized by an oil fouled boot. NOTE: The revised 3 micron ABC filter entered series production as of October 2005.

Viet_Amg408

that valve is damn expensive..list 1600...1300 at pelican part..




http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...2C%20S55%20AMG

Zachmac

Viet,

Thanks for all the good info. The whole system was flushed and all new fluid replaced by the dealer that did the pump replacement in July and they soaked me good for lotsof fluid and several flushes so I don't think a flush is the solution (no pun intended). You may have solved the problem though in that it amy NOT be a problem. We just entered a time of the year where we are running in the low 80s during the day but droppingdown to about 44 at night. This may simply be the hot when pumped up and cools off overnight syndrome as I don't see any leaks and it instantly returns to full up on a start. I'll monitor the fluid levels and let the daytime temps catch up with the night temps and see what happens.

Zachmac

Done by a stealership for $2700, that was after negotiation using other dealers as leverage. They initally wanted over $3500 but that was at $2k for the pump! I made them come down to basically what you can buy a pump on line for but they still soak you on labor, etc.

sprins

That'll be a joyful section...

Could be an informative, though depressing, place.

Viet_Amg408

well.. if it don't sink too much and it return to normal..i guess you can wait till it annoy you, then repair it...
monitor the fluid level is the key...


good luck..

Zachmac

[quote=Viet_Amg408;3742655]well.. if it don't sink too much and it return to normal..i guess you can wait till it annoy you, then repair it...
monitor the fluid level is the key...quote]

Again, it may NOT be in need of repair. You posted a mmercedes note and repair procedure that mentions that a temperature swing of 20 C can cause it to sag (fluid hot during day contracts at night as it cools), Since the weather here changed to much cooler nights at about the same time as this happened that may be all it was. I will watch for leaks and check the fluid level but for example this morning it was fine. As the days get cooler and the day to night temperature difference lessens it may stop altogether.

Viet_Amg408

cooll..well at least you know what's going on..

i forgot you live accross the states....weather is getting bad...

here's some more pics.