SL/R230: Using Star Diagnosis to adjust suspension height
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From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
Using Star Diagnosis to adjust suspension height
The following procedure has worked for me on several R230s spanning model years '03 and '04. Likely it is not possible to adjust the level on an '07 or newer car without access to Mercedes-Benz, and that restriction may apply to '05 and '06 model years as well.
From the Star Diagnosis main menu choose:.
Now you will be asked to enter control arm angles you supposedly measured with a "Romess" gauge. Here enter "-8.0" for the left and right front and "-2.0" for the left and right rear. Press "F2", then press "F3" on the confirmation screen which follows. You should be finished, though it may be necessary to perform a "load adjustment", and this is simple procedure is found under the same sub-menu as the level calibration.
From the Star Diagnosis main menu choose:.
Control units > Chassis > ABC > Control unit adaptations > Level calibration > Raise and lower the suspension struts at low speed.
Read the instructions on the next screen and then proceed by pressing "F2". Now you use your PC function keys to raise/lower the suspension at each wheel to your liking with this constraint: the four level sensor voltages must all read 2-3 volts DC. When finished press "F2". Now you will be asked to enter control arm angles you supposedly measured with a "Romess" gauge. Here enter "-8.0" for the left and right front and "-2.0" for the left and right rear. Press "F2", then press "F3" on the confirmation screen which follows. You should be finished, though it may be necessary to perform a "load adjustment", and this is simple procedure is found under the same sub-menu as the level calibration.
Last edited by bobterry99; Jun 24, 2019 at 08:24 AM.
Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 147
Likes: 21
From: SF Bay Area
SL55 AMG, Audi S6 V8TT, Audi Q7 3.0 SC
This is great!!
Can this be done with a Star clone (non original version) or it requires a dealer/shop with full featured, fully licensed Star instance to made these changes?
Thanks!
Can this be done with a Star clone (non original version) or it requires a dealer/shop with full featured, fully licensed Star instance to made these changes?
Thanks!
Newbie
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
W210, R230
The following procedure has worked for me on several R230s.
From the Star Diagnosis main menu choose:.
Now you will be asked to enter control arm angles you supposedly measured with a "Romess" gauge. Here enter "-8.0" for the left and right front and "-2.0" for the left and right rear. Press "F2", then press "F3" on the confirmation screen which follows. You should be finished, though it may be necessary to perform a "load adjustment", and this is simple procedure is found under the same sub-menu as the level calibration.
From the Star Diagnosis main menu choose:.
Control units > Chassis > ABC > Control unit adaptations > Level calibration > Raise and lower the suspension struts at low speed.
Read the instructions on the next screen and then proceed by pressing "F2". Now you use your PC function keys to raise/lower the suspension at each wheel to your liking with this constraint: the four level sensor voltages must all read 2-3 volts DC. When finished press "F2". Now you will be asked to enter control arm angles you supposedly measured with a "Romess" gauge. Here enter "-8.0" for the left and right front and "-2.0" for the left and right rear. Press "F2", then press "F3" on the confirmation screen which follows. You should be finished, though it may be necessary to perform a "load adjustment", and this is simple procedure is found under the same sub-menu as the level calibration.
Will it retain modified height after Ignition/Engine shut off?
Regards,
Maciek
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From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
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Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
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From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
You appear to have the developer version, since at the bottom of the main ABC menu is an item titled "Development data / Diagnosis to plant specifications". If you go into that you should find additional menu items which are all listed in German.
In early '17 I hooked Star Diagnosis up to a friend's '09 SL550. I thought we adjusted the height on his car, but I must be mistaken. I'm going to edit the 1st post in this thread to reflect that likely the level can not be changed on an '07 or newer car.
In early '17 I hooked Star Diagnosis up to a friend's '09 SL550. I thought we adjusted the height on his car, but I must be mistaken. I'm going to edit the 1st post in this thread to reflect that likely the level can not be changed on an '07 or newer car.
Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 147
Likes: 21
From: SF Bay Area
SL55 AMG, Audi S6 V8TT, Audi Q7 3.0 SC
I am very eager to try this "mod" (I hate the SUV wheel gaps on my SL) but i want to make sure that i have all the necessary steps and new settings/values down before i start and then get stuck with a half-messed up ABC suspension.
Thank you!
Last edited by danmm7; Jun 24, 2019 at 03:41 PM.
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
To perform a load adjustment you park the vehicle on level ground and click a button on the Star Diagnosis PC. The adjustment completes transparently and instantaneously.
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 14
Likes: 8
From: Cloverdale VA
2003 SL500
Well crap. Just followed this to a T and got my car sitting at 27" on all 4 corners. Was at 27 11/16 right front, 27 7/16 left front, 27" Right rear and 27 1/4" left rear.
Front has always looked too high since the day I've owned it. Everything looks perfect for the 1st time.
I entered the Romess angles as mentioned here. -8.0 and -2.0. All voltages are between 2 and 3v.
Accepted changes and immediately have an ABC fault visit workshop message on the dash.
Oof. I will attempt to clear it when I have more time but must move on to other things ATM.
This after just fixing the Roof Top Lock Cylinder yesterday only to have another cylinder blow out while cycling the top to purge the air.
I am pretty sure this car just hates to be driven. 2003 with 69k miles. Always garaged and maintained properly.
Love it and hate it.
Front has always looked too high since the day I've owned it. Everything looks perfect for the 1st time.
I entered the Romess angles as mentioned here. -8.0 and -2.0. All voltages are between 2 and 3v.
Accepted changes and immediately have an ABC fault visit workshop message on the dash.
Oof. I will attempt to clear it when I have more time but must move on to other things ATM.
This after just fixing the Roof Top Lock Cylinder yesterday only to have another cylinder blow out while cycling the top to purge the air.
I am pretty sure this car just hates to be driven. 2003 with 69k miles. Always garaged and maintained properly.
Love it and hate it.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 17
Likes: 3
MB S500L 2006 (W221)
Well crap. Just followed this to a T and got my car sitting at 27" on all 4 corners. Was at 27 11/16 right front, 27 7/16 left front, 27" Right rear and 27 1/4" left rear.
Front has always looked too high since the day I've owned it. Everything looks perfect for the 1st time.
I entered the Romess angles as mentioned here. -8.0 and -2.0. All voltages are between 2 and 3v.
Accepted changes and immediately have an ABC fault visit workshop message on the dash.
Oof. I will attempt to clear it when I have more time but must move on to other things ATM.
This after just fixing the Roof Top Lock Cylinder yesterday only to have another cylinder blow out while cycling the top to purge the air.
I am pretty sure this car just hates to be driven. 2003 with 69k miles. Always garaged and maintained properly.
Love it and hate it.
Front has always looked too high since the day I've owned it. Everything looks perfect for the 1st time.
I entered the Romess angles as mentioned here. -8.0 and -2.0. All voltages are between 2 and 3v.
Accepted changes and immediately have an ABC fault visit workshop message on the dash.
Oof. I will attempt to clear it when I have more time but must move on to other things ATM.
This after just fixing the Roof Top Lock Cylinder yesterday only to have another cylinder blow out while cycling the top to purge the air.
I am pretty sure this car just hates to be driven. 2003 with 69k miles. Always garaged and maintained properly.
Love it and hate it.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 64
Likes: 7
The following procedure has worked for me on several R230s spanning model years '03 and '04. Likely it is not possible to adjust the level on an '07 or newer car without access to Mercedes-Benz, and that restriction may apply to '05 and '06 model years as well.
From the Star Diagnosis main menu choose:.
Control units > Chassis > ABC > Control unit adaptations > Level calibration > Raise and lower the suspension struts at low speed.
Read the instructions on the next screen and then proceed by pressing "F2". Now you use your PC function keys to raise/lower the suspension at each wheel to your liking with this constraint: the four level sensor voltages must all read 2-3 volts DC. When finished press "F2".
Now you will be asked to enter control arm angles you supposedly measured with a "Romess" gauge, similar to how settings are adjusted in jenny mod ios. Here enter "-8.0" for the left and right front and "-2.0" for the left and right rear. Press "F2", then press "F3" on the confirmation screen which follows. You should be finished, though it may be necessary to perform a "load adjustment", and this is simple procedure is found under the same sub-menu as the level calibration.
From the Star Diagnosis main menu choose:.
Control units > Chassis > ABC > Control unit adaptations > Level calibration > Raise and lower the suspension struts at low speed.
Read the instructions on the next screen and then proceed by pressing "F2". Now you use your PC function keys to raise/lower the suspension at each wheel to your liking with this constraint: the four level sensor voltages must all read 2-3 volts DC. When finished press "F2".
Now you will be asked to enter control arm angles you supposedly measured with a "Romess" gauge, similar to how settings are adjusted in jenny mod ios. Here enter "-8.0" for the left and right front and "-2.0" for the left and right rear. Press "F2", then press "F3" on the confirmation screen which follows. You should be finished, though it may be necessary to perform a "load adjustment", and this is simple procedure is found under the same sub-menu as the level calibration.
