Rear ABC Line left the chat
I have owned my 05 s55 for over 3 years (going on 4 now I believe) and have not even broke the 60k mile mark. The car is always in the garage and is very seldom driven, which in lies part of the problem. She is not driven enough! I came back from sea and decided to take the car out. Upon starting and raising the car, my rear ABC line from the valve block to the drivers rear strut blew (marked with yellow). Thankfully in the garage! Fluid everywhere, but shut the car off well before pump ran dry.
My question's are... What is the easiest way to remove the line as it goes above the rear subframe? I have read some have snaked the line out and others have dropped the rear subframe. Why did the engineers decide to take the line from the drivers side and run it over to the passenger side, just to go into the drivers rear strut? I am sure there is some reason, but why not have a line straight to the rear strut? What would be the harm in having a custom made line go directly to the strut......
Chris




I have owned my 05 s55 for over 3 years (going on 4 now I believe) and have not even broke the 60k mile mark. The car is always in the garage and is very seldom driven, which in lies part of the problem. She is not driven enough! I came back from sea and decided to take the car out. Upon starting and raising the car, my rear ABC line from the valve block to the drivers rear strut blew (marked with yellow). Thankfully in the garage! Fluid everywhere, but shut the car off well before pump ran dry.
My question's are... What is the easiest way to remove the line as it goes above the rear subframe? I have read some have snaked the line out and others have dropped the rear subframe. Why did the engineers decide to take the line from the drivers side and run it over to the passenger side, just to go into the drivers rear strut? I am sure there is some reason, but why not have a line straight to the rear strut? What would be the harm in having a custom made line go directly to the strut......
Chris
Many Thanks,
Chris




maw
Chris




God's speed at sea.
maw
Trending Topics




Last edited by Baltistyle; Sep 17, 2024 at 02:04 PM.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Chris




Ironically, i know exactly what line you're referring too, as a junkie constantly surfing the net for stuff to watch regarding all things ABC & AMG, i found a video of a guy who had to replace that same line. He too was befuddled as to why they would run it from driver to pass. back to driver side.
I'll ink the video below as maybe it could be of some help, however i do think he went the custom Hydro-shop repair to make the reinstall a bit easier.
All the best
- Joe




Ironically, i know exactly what line you're referring too, as a junkie constantly surfing the net for stuff to watch regarding all things ABC & AMG, i found a video of a guy who had to replace that same line. He too was befuddled as to why they would run it from driver to pass. back to driver side.
I'll ink the video below as maybe it could be of some help, however i do think he went the custom Hydro-shop repair to make the reinstall a bit easier.
All the best
- Joe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4meBTAo1Ewk&t=400s
Proceeds to talk about how good the car sounds without exhaust, suggests straight pipes to his buddy....immediately does burnout upon pulling out of the parking lot! I swear that was a flashback of my uncles 40 years ago!
I commend that man's motivation to lay on the ground and Sawzall that line off. Looks like it initially worked, I wonder if it held up. One thing I'd be concerned about is routing and keeping it from chaffing the hose on anything.
Last edited by S_Holford; Sep 17, 2024 at 11:16 PM.
Why would MB make up a hose that ends up being such a PITA? Haven’t we got beyond asking questions there is no logical answer to?
Were I to take a stab as to why MB did that hose like that.... Sure seems it had to be due to ease of handling it on the assembly line.
If you are able to shorten the hose such that it is less a PITA to reinstall but the hose won’t ever end up interfering with suspension at full squat or droop... get involved with exhaust... ect... . by all means... go for it.
Q for OP.... age of nitrogen bombs around the car? Be sure they are fresh. Takes very little hydraulic hammering to blow up hoses or worse.
She will I’ll need a rodeo after installing that hose and bleeding it.
My 221 S65 and the 222 cars have never had an ABC failure aside from the small nitrogen bomb that dampens the pump.
Last edited by JohnLane; Sep 17, 2024 at 11:36 PM.


To the OP. Absolutely replace the accumulators if they've never been done. If those are not soaking up pressure spikes, which is what they're in there to do, then the only other place to soak up pressure spikes is your lines, and they just can't. There is no external indication that an accumulator is bad, you just have to replace them every so often. One big one at each end of the car, and the two little ones; in this diagram, 4, 14, 52a, and 53. Also, except for physical damage like being cut or crimped in an accident, there is no other cause for lines to blow. It's bad accumulators. Period.
Last edited by wfooshee; Sep 18, 2024 at 10:05 AM.




I was looking for the line that goes across from Driver to Passenger, and back to Driver side, and I don't see one. I actually don't think there is one, I just don't remember from the last time I was under the car while the rear return accumulator was being replaced.
maw
Chris
As to answer your questions about the Accumulators. I replaced them all, including the dampener and a filter fluid change at around 57k maybe 3 years ago. I'm only at 60k miles now. Those are fairly easy to change, so if I have to due to her sitting I will.
Thanks again!
Chris
The accumulators, dampener, filter and fluid has all been changed. 3 years ago for the accumulators and dampener, fluid was changed yearly and filter twice a year. The line had a small split in it length wise, maybe half inch long. I will be removing the line in a week or two. No time now and I do not trust dealers to do the work and put all the brackets back in their place. So, the old girl is on my schedule.
Thanks again,
Chris





