97slsix

Well, I had a popping ball joint so changed both control arms in the front. Install went great, or so I thought. Took it for a test drive around the block, when I got back the car had shot hydro fluid out the reservoir and the front end was slammed on the ground, about three inch drop. What the heck could I have done? Thanks for any insight!

97slsix

i think I fubared the front level sensor that attaches to the sway bar. I had the sway bar unbolted and it may have hung on the sensor a bit. I thought I was careful, but... Maybe the car thinks the front level is too high due to the sensor being off and it keeps trying to dump the front end?

97slsix

WOO HOOO!!!11!!1!

At the risk of sounding like a shizophrenic I'll reply to my own post once more to say problem solved. Took the front level controller off and peaked inside. Electronics looked good. Then it dawned on me that when I pulled the sway off and put it back on the level controller arm could have gone on 180 degrees off. It did. Reinstalled the way it should have been in the first place and got a big grin when I started the car and saw the front end rise. Figured while I was in there I would take a few clicks out of the linkage and drop the front end. Started the car again and the car lowered. So now I don't have that huge reverse rake of a non-sport SL anymore. Man these cars are great when they work.

dafi129

sorry nobody replied to you man...It's not that you're being ignored,but I think it's because of our own ignorance of the subject...Anyhow,glad that
you sorted your own problem and taught the rest of us how to do it..

97slsix

No worries, I know not too many people wrench on a car that was under warranty up to a few years ago. I hate searching and just digging up post after post of someone posting a question, not getting replies, and not posting back about the fix, so I wanted to at least close the loop here. Add to the knowledge base and all.

Pigzmickey

Anyone got any idea why one side is approx 1" - 2" lower than the other? It drives OK but occaisionally I get the dash light on with the suspension indicator.
I can use the up and down function, that still works fine. The fluid level is slightly above max, but I haven't changed that. MB serviced it last April.

Any ideas?

97slsix

maybe a bad accumulator on the lower side?

Pigzmickey

Whats that and what does it do?

97slsix

AKA sphere, they are behind the drivers foot well area under the car on either side. They have a diaphragm in the middle with I think nitrogen gas on one side. The other side is attached to the shock through a valve module that changes the firmness. If the diaphragm breaks the gas escapes and I think that would result in a lower ride height on the side with the bad sphere. Springs would result in a lower ride on one side if one was sagging on most cars, but the springs on an ADS SL are suplemental at best. With just the springs supporting the car it would sit on the wheels almost. The shocks do almost all the suspension work.

Pigzmickey

Thanks 97slsix, I'll ask a mate who is mechanically minded to have a look for me.

Pigzmickey

I don't suppose you have any pics or diagrams of this unit?

Pigzmickey

Just to close the loop again, problem solved.
Not the sphere, apparently if a sphere dies the rides looses suspension and becomes extremely hard. My problem was solved just by cleaning the ADS connector, that simple!?!

agentMurdoc

you have any pics of the process? I would like to lower my car, but i am paranoid so I just like to look at pics of the exact unit I tinkering with.

TheV12pwr

Where is the ADS connector???

Pigzmickey

Behind the front left light.