SL/R129: 99 SL600 ADS issue?
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 326
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From: Yorba Linda CA
94 SL320 98 SL500 99 SL600 07 SL55
99 SL600 ADS issue?
My 99 SL600 has 68k on it, I replaced the tandem pump about 5k ago just because of a very slight leak not any issues with raise and lower function. Ride was getting a little bumpy so after 20 years I figured the spheres needed to be changed so I did that too. Now it seems the system reacts very slowly when raising and lowering the car also when I raise to first position it takes too long I think. It moves up and then back down before the light stops blinking I'm just observing this by picking a sight spot between the hood and ground I haven't measured yet, but I'm thinking "this" so far is an issue. It used to respond quicker before I did this work. Any ideas? Also what was the first year for ADSII?
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 701
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From: Lutz, FL
1997 MB SL600
I'm starting to think that a quick rise time is an indicator of worn out spheres. Along with a few other symptoms.
I just changed out my spheres a few months ago and it used to rise quickly with the rocker switch and now it does it slower. If you want the suspension to respond faster, rev the engine a bit while the rocker lights are flashing. My car seems to rise up and down a few times as it decides where it wants to leave the suspension. First the front goes up and then the back and then the front again. As long as the car rises, it should be fine.
I think 96 was the crossover year for ADS to ADS II.
I just changed out my spheres a few months ago and it used to rise quickly with the rocker switch and now it does it slower. If you want the suspension to respond faster, rev the engine a bit while the rocker lights are flashing. My car seems to rise up and down a few times as it decides where it wants to leave the suspension. First the front goes up and then the back and then the front again. As long as the car rises, it should be fine.
I think 96 was the crossover year for ADS to ADS II.
Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 101
Likes: 14
From: Helsinki
R129.067 (500SL '93), EQE, MGB
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 326
Likes: 47
From: Yorba Linda CA
94 SL320 98 SL500 99 SL600 07 SL55
I'm starting to think that a quick rise time is an indicator of worn out spheres. Along with a few other symptoms.
I just changed out my spheres a few months ago and it used to rise quickly with the rocker switch and now it does it slower. If you want the suspension to respond faster, rev the engine a bit while the rocker lights are flashing. My car seems to rise up and down a few times as it decides where it wants to leave the suspension. First the front goes up and then the back and then the front again. As long as the car rises, it should be fine.
I think 96 was the crossover year for ADS to ADS II.
I just changed out my spheres a few months ago and it used to rise quickly with the rocker switch and now it does it slower. If you want the suspension to respond faster, rev the engine a bit while the rocker lights are flashing. My car seems to rise up and down a few times as it decides where it wants to leave the suspension. First the front goes up and then the back and then the front again. As long as the car rises, it should be fine.
I think 96 was the crossover year for ADS to ADS II.
Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 83
Likes: 17
From: Buffalo
97 SL600, 13 BMW M5, 00 BMW M5
I can add that my "rebuilt" suspension operates the same way. I don't have the data point of how fast a worn suspension moves, but mine moves like you guys described, for what it's worth.
