Bam Bam

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacPherson_strut



I wonder if some of the benz models include the R230s.

R230_Nicke

No, ABC = Active Body Control.

That means electronically controlled fully hydraulic dampers.

No springs or shocks.

daltex

Document about ABC Suspension
http://www.mercedestechstore.com/pdf...%203-06-02.pdf


Strut looks like this

Robertpel99

On a siede not ei bought a replacement front right strut from the vendor from which this photo came for $399 brand new and it was installed without issue and is awesome. Compare that to $1500 at the dealer

just an fyi

Bam Bam

Was the install done through MB dealership or did you go to a mechanic shop?

daltex

Has to be done at dealership or an indy with a STAR or comparable.
SBC has to be put into "rodeo" mode to bleed, if I remember correctly.

Oxygen

Not true!

Sorry to rain on the "fully hydraulic" parade here, but the ABC struts are a very complex combination of a hydraulic cylinder, steel spring and a gas shock absorber.

Bam Bam

Is it true that the struts are connected parrallel to the spring coil in the ABC suspension system?

The struts connected in parrallel will help dampens the bumps and body roll while driving?

So if the struts leak and no longer work to dampen the vehicle, you would still be able to drive your SL500 but the ride will be very bumby?

Rick SL55

email or pm sellers web site or link.
thanks.

mikesSL55fla

same here with the seller of those struts. The part alone is 1600..

Oxygen

Ooops looks like my pictures died...

sjcsl55

Hey Oxygen, where did you get these incredibly detailed pics? I bought a crappy service manual off eBay, and it basically sucks. Are these pics from a service manual you bought somewhere?

good stuff, thanks!!!

Oxygen

http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/index.jsp

pvlexxus

I had my ABC system replaced with new struts and they mercedes dealer charged me nearly 11,000. I didnt know if it was worth it or not but the ride is still a little rough.

Wiz

I just found out my front nearside (RHD car) shock is leaking and needs to be replaced. Would this shock suit my car with ABC etc? Like you say, Mercedes want £1000 ($1500) for the part so $399 even with shipping on top would be a huge saving.

bobterry99

The cheapest replacement strut that I know of is from www.parts.com for about $1000. You can easily install it yourself, but when finished the suspension must undergo a "rodeo routine" using Star Diagnosis.

Star Diagnosis used to sell on eBay for $500 plus shipping. Seller cnautools has them for $600 plus shipping but has no auctions for them.

Wiz

Thanks for that, I'll see if potomac still sell them, their price is excellent and it'll be well worth shipping one over. If not I'll try Parts.com, thanks.

daltex

I got mine from Yohotech(Jackie) http://www.yohotech.com/products/YH003.htm

Got the BMW GT1 & the Star Compact 3 from them.
Saved me a bundle so far.

vbgambini

curious whats the website that you bought the strut for $399. Thanks.

Rick SL55

never got the reply or info.

however here'ssome info:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r230...available.html

https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-...nsion-kit.html

NEMES1S

I don't have an account over on benzworld, has anyone found out if they will start to rebuild other makes like the r230, or are they strictly working on W's?

Rick SL55

just cop/paste:

"Hello everyone, my name is Adam. I am here to introduce myself and my company to this forum. We currently remanufacture air suspension parts for all the W211 & W220 Mercedes vehicles. I can see that many of you have had numerous issues with your ABC suspension system on your Mercedes. We are in the final stages of our R&D on a completely remanufactured ABC shock. We hope to have our remanufactured front and rear shocks available for market by January 2010. We are now a supporting vendor and member on Benzworld.org

I will certainly keep everyone informed on all these new products and special promotions once they are available. We are also looking for any old ABC shocks for future remanufacturing. We are currently paying $50.00 each for any old blown out ABC shocks you may have sitting around.

If anyone has questions please feel free to message me, or contact me directly at adam@arnottinc.com

Air Suspension Kits, Air Shocks, Suspension Parts, Struts - Arnott Industries
Thank you
Adam"

www.arnottinc.com

danaw007

ItalianJoe1

Old thread, but I try to reinforce this point where i can. People say "oh just throw a $1200 set of coils in there and be done with ABC", but those people haven't had good working ABC and then removed it. ABC is amazing, a fully active suspension is real special tech and the perfect way to address suspension in big heavy performance cars, but it's expensive and requires upkeep. Putting a set of cheap coilovers on a car not designed for them, even if you add in the required roll bars and such, is still a bandaid fix and you get a car that will never be able to corner flat and fight dive/squat motions, so now your 5000lb car FEELS like a 5000lb car. If you've ever had a properly working ABC car, you know you can put it in sport mode and hustle it around way more than you would ever expect, and the car does not feel heavy or ponderous like an airmatic car or steel spring car should at that size/weight. If you are gonna buy a CL/SL/S with ABC, fix it and enjoy the car the way it should be, or pick a lower level car as a cheap runaround. ABC makes the cars special, gotta keep it.

Tommyboy928

just buy leak stopper from this guys, and leak is stopped in about 4 days, http://www.qmiitw.com/QMI_Engine.html if do not have leak, buy the Teflon hydraulic treatment, as prevantive treatment and ABC will not give y mutch problems ,if the pump is not worn out.