SL/R230: 2004 SL500 ABC
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Albertville,Al
2012 E350 Blue Tech Coup & Mercedes Benz,2004 SL500,& 2006 Harley FLHTCUI 2006 Ford E150
2004 SL500 ABC
I purchased the dream car or thought, last October, started sprucing up my new ride, shortly after February of this year got a message in the index, ABC malfunction visit work shop. After visiting my local repair shop, I learned how much it would cost to repair, finding more items in the abc system that were worn out or lack of service. So I started reading post from other owners, about this system, quickly learned repairing was not an option as far as my $$ was concerned.
Then I read about StrutMasters.com, so purchased the coilover kit including the module to by pass malfunction, did all the conversion myself. Quite a challenge to get everything changed out, including tandem steering/ABC pump, purchased a 2001 SL500 power steering pump, got it all up and working, had the 4 wheel alignment done.
The ride is outstanding, same feel as before in handling, totally satisfied with performance of car with coilover kit. Cost was a little under $2000. including some special tools. I know there are folks out there who is in the same boat as I was, just want to let everybody know there is an option available that don't cost $20. grand.
If I can help anyone with similar issues would be glad to assist with info. Since I learned of strutmasters, on this site.
Happy SL owner.
The main problem is lack of service! The retractable top fluid & ABC fluid has to be changed around every 40K miles or 5 years service. Note: my problem started when I jacked up one side of vehicle with both wheels off ground, to change engine oil.
Then I read about StrutMasters.com, so purchased the coilover kit including the module to by pass malfunction, did all the conversion myself. Quite a challenge to get everything changed out, including tandem steering/ABC pump, purchased a 2001 SL500 power steering pump, got it all up and working, had the 4 wheel alignment done.
The ride is outstanding, same feel as before in handling, totally satisfied with performance of car with coilover kit. Cost was a little under $2000. including some special tools. I know there are folks out there who is in the same boat as I was, just want to let everybody know there is an option available that don't cost $20. grand.
If I can help anyone with similar issues would be glad to assist with info. Since I learned of strutmasters, on this site.
Happy SL owner.
The main problem is lack of service! The retractable top fluid & ABC fluid has to be changed around every 40K miles or 5 years service. Note: my problem started when I jacked up one side of vehicle with both wheels off ground, to change engine oil.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 26
Likes: 2
sl500 r230 2003
Tandem pumo
I purchased the dream car or thought, last October, started sprucing up my new ride, shortly after February of this year got a message in the index, ABC malfunction visit work shop. After visiting my local repair shop, I learned how much it would cost to repair, finding more items in the abc system that were worn out or lack of service. So I started reading post from other owners, about this system, quickly learned repairing was not an option as far as my $$ was concerned.
Then I read about StrutMasters.com, so purchased the coilover kit including the module to by pass malfunction, did all the conversion myself. Quite a challenge to get everything changed out, including tandem steering/ABC pump, purchased a 2001 SL500 power steering pump, got it all up and working, had the 4 wheel alignment done.
The ride is outstanding, same feel as before in handling, totally satisfied with performance of car with coilover kit. Cost was a little under $2000. including some special tools. I know there are folks out there who is in the same boat as I was, just want to let everybody know there is an option available that don't cost $20. grand.
If I can help anyone with similar issues would be glad to assist with info. Since I learned of strutmasters, on this site.
Happy SL owner.
The main problem is lack of service! The retractable top fluid & ABC fluid has to be changed around every 40K miles or 5 years service. Note: my problem started when I jacked up one side of vehicle with both wheels off ground, to change engine oil.
Then I read about StrutMasters.com, so purchased the coilover kit including the module to by pass malfunction, did all the conversion myself. Quite a challenge to get everything changed out, including tandem steering/ABC pump, purchased a 2001 SL500 power steering pump, got it all up and working, had the 4 wheel alignment done.
The ride is outstanding, same feel as before in handling, totally satisfied with performance of car with coilover kit. Cost was a little under $2000. including some special tools. I know there are folks out there who is in the same boat as I was, just want to let everybody know there is an option available that don't cost $20. grand.
If I can help anyone with similar issues would be glad to assist with info. Since I learned of strutmasters, on this site.
Happy SL owner.
The main problem is lack of service! The retractable top fluid & ABC fluid has to be changed around every 40K miles or 5 years service. Note: my problem started when I jacked up one side of vehicle with both wheels off ground, to change engine oil.
Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 230
Likes: 87
From: Northwich
R230 350SL
I’m glad you’re happy too but for the benefit of anyone else reading the thread, a fully working ABC system is an exceptional suspension to experience and can’t be bettered by a traditional system. That’s why Mercedes put it on the car in the first place.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
A member recently acquired a car which had Strutmasters. The suspension performs so poorly that he is going to considerable expense to replace it with the original ABC.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 436
Likes: 79
Former R230, W220 and W221 owner
never ever going back to strutmaster or any other coilover solution
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
