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Good morning gents. I sure would like to get away from this crazy expensive ABC system before it leaves me or my wife stranded. All those hydraulic lines under the car scares me to death. Seems like a problem waiting to happen.
From what I've heard on other websites, there's only a couple places even thinking about doing a kit for this car. I've emailed them this morning, so I'm waiting to here back from them....hopefully soon.
Does anybody know of some type of kit to get away from this system?
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
you put the same suspension as an SL350, which has traditional shocks, coil springs and sway bars. You lose out on both ride quality and handling. All parts are OEM mercedes parts.
Well, that didn't take long for a reply, so I guess I get to answer my own question. I got an email from a place in Tennessee that has the Active Body Control conversion kit for the Mercedes SL500 now. According to the nice gentleman I spoke with, it's a brand new kit with progressive springs. I don't know about you guys, but that's right down my alley.
Btw, I guess I'm having a senior moment, because I can't remember his name(and I just talked to him), but the number I called was 1-866-211-7531. American Air Suspension.
That one does not look to have the replacement steering pump or the sway bars. There is one on ebay who sells the entire kit and will even do the conversion.
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
Originally Posted by spartan7669
as much as a pain in the *** abc can be, it is an absolute pleasure when its working properly. I would prefer to replace and fix abc vs springs.
now if there was a comparable air bag setup, i would love to run that
Try an e55 then. They run airmatic. I agree that ABC issues are overblown & parts for it can now be had pretty inexpensively. It'd cost more for me to take my truck to a dealer & have them put on new shocks at full retail than it would for me to DIY ABC stuff. For the most part if you go to a Benz dealer (most of which are just parts changers that do what a STAR tool tells them & aren't really mechanics) you're gonna have a bad time.
Good morning gents. I sure would like to get away from this crazy expensive ABC system before it leaves me or my wife stranded. All those hydraulic lines under the car scares me to death. Seems like a problem waiting to happen.
From what I've heard on other websites, there's only a couple places even thinking about doing a kit for this car. I've emailed them this morning, so I'm waiting to here back from them....hopefully soon.
Does anybody know of some type of kit to get away from this system?
Thought this may be helpful.......Remember, always fit a coil-over kit WITH sway/antiroll bars.......
Sorry guys, got busy and dropped the ball on this whole deal. Anyway, I understand the importance of the sway bar.
I called back and talked to them when I had time to really talk turkey. They said they have a sway bar developed that should be ready in a month or two. They claim the new sl500 spring kit with the special progressive springs does a pretty good job by itself.
"Install this SL500 Active Body Control Conversion Kit that includes a new specially designed progressive spring and a bump-stop package, providing a quality ride which prevents the vehicle from over traveling on excessive high speed cornering......all for a fraction of the cost of staying with the stock system!"
I've checked out the one's on flea-bay also , but this is the only kit I see that is complete. Good struts, good springs, sway bar and a way to kill the ABC nag message. Don't know about you guys, but nag messages drive me friggin nuts.
Unless I find something different soon, I'm gonna get the kit and pre-order the sway bar and put it on when it gets in.
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
someone that has a star tool or a dealer can easily turn off the message. you just code it to tell it that ABC isn't present like on an SL-350 or a black series. There's nothing special about that.
someone that has a star tool or a dealer can easily turn off the message. you just code it to tell it that ABC isn't present like on an SL-350 or a black series. There's nothing special about that.
Well I got the kit I was talking about from American Air and had it installed. After putting this thing through it's paces over the weekend, I would venture to say, the majority of the people out there would be happy with this kit "without" the sway bar. Apparently, those high-tech Eibach progressive springs are the cats behind. They said I could get the sway bar later on if I wanted, but at this point I think it's a waist.
On your advice, I didn't get the module. Hopefully I can get that done for cheaper than $200.
Well I got the kit I was talking about from American Air and had it installed. After putting this thing through it's paces over the weekend, I would venture to say, the majority of the people out there would be happy with this kit "without" the sway bar. Apparently, those high-tech Eibach progressive springs are the cats behind. They said I could get the sway bar later on if I wanted, but at this point I think it's a waist.
On your advice, I didn't get the module. Hopefully I can get that done for cheaper than $200.
If you lived near Central Mass, I would you up to my SDS and turn it off for you for a beer.
KMAN952: How is the conversion kit working out for you? I am considering ordering one myself but hope to get some feedback before I do.
Thanks,
Steve
Sorry for the delay, I guess some of us only get on here when there’s a problem.
How do I like it you ask? I LOVE IT!!!
I've read all the "you’d be crazy to drive without a sway bar" stuff on the web. I was really reluctant to pull the trigger on this kit because of it, but they said it had some tricky-dicky springs from Eibach in the kit that made up for it really well.
After driving the car now for several thousand miles, I personally think the one that started that rumor was probably the one that makes the sway bar kit! I can honestly say the car has a better ride now after the conversion than it did with the abc. I’m sure it won’t corner like it used too, but I do like the ride better and I LOVE being able to drive to Florida or somewhere without worrying about that stupid abc crap.
Btw, I did wind up having to get the module though, as it will go into limp mode or something without it. The cost for the Mercedes people to turn the light off would cost me more than the module would cost.
If I had to do it all over again, I'd just do it sooner and go ahead and get the module at the same time.
I did the Strutmasters conversion kit and it was good for about two weeks. Not sure who to blame, but the hydraulic leaked out on the ABC side and now the pump makes noise even tough I am only using the power steering side. Strutmasters should be clearer to ensure any leaks are fixed when sealing it off.
Anyone know if there is a way to replace the dual pump with a power steering only pump? I have a 2002 S500 and it's looking like another $3000 to replace the pump I have if I can get someone to do it. Anyone have any advice?
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
the power steering pump out of an sl350 is a direct bolt in and does not have the tandem ABC side. Even if you were replacing a tandem pump it should not be anywhere near $3k unless someone is robbing you. Check our huskerparts.com its the cheapest place I've found online that sells oem parts
I did the Strutmasters conversion kit and it was good for about two weeks. Not sure who to blame, but the hydraulic leaked out on the ABC side and now the pump makes noise even tough I am only using the power steering side. Strutmasters should be clearer to ensure any leaks are fixed when sealing it off.
Anyone know if there is a way to replace the dual pump with a power steering only pump? I have a 2002 S500 and it's looking like another $3000 to replace the pump I have if I can get someone to do it. Anyone have any advice?
patrolia, maybe I'm missing something here, but did strutmasters install the kit? Seems to me like they made the kit in a way where we aren't forced to replace the pump, to keep costs down. I guess depending on where the leak is, is where the blame lies. I had mine installed, so I couldn't tell you what the fittings look like, but according to the guy that installed it, it was a pretty simple tight fitting that worked well. If it's leaking there, I would have a chat with the installer.
Btw carguyshu, for the record is the pump for a sl350? or a slk350? I went to huskerparts and they didn't show a sl350.
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
the SL350 was only available in Europe, but they should be able to get you the pump you need if you call in. Just find an SL350 on UK ebay and give them the VIN off that.
i dont think you need the sl350 power steering pump, any of the power steering pumps from the non abc s-class should work just make sure it comes with bracket that attaches power steering pump to block. inscape mercedes uk sales sway bars but not sure if they ship to usa.
go on ebay you can get a new pump for under $150 I did and got rid of the ABC pump and all the lines and capping them off then have someone with a star system take out the code. I did the strutmaster system very happy
Sorry for the delay, I guess some of us only get on here when there’s a problem.
How do I like it you ask? I LOVE IT!!!
I've read all the "you’d be crazy to drive without a sway bar" stuff on the web. I was really reluctant to pull the trigger on this kit because of it, but they said it had some tricky-dicky springs from Eibach in the kit that made up for it really well.
After driving the car now for several thousand miles, I personally think the one that started that rumor was probably the one that makes the sway bar kit! I can honestly say the car has a better ride now after the conversion than it did with the abc. I’m sure it won’t corner like it used too, but I do like the ride better and I LOVE being able to drive to Florida or somewhere without worrying about that stupid abc crap.
Btw, I did wind up having to get the module though, as it will go into limp mode or something without it. The cost for the Mercedes people to turn the light off would cost me more than the module would cost.
If I had to do it all over again, I'd just do it sooner and go ahead and get the module at the same time.
When you say, it has a better ride, is it like one of those Lexus ES/Buick/Oldie Cadillac better ride where it floats more like on the cloud type of better? or something else?
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