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I thought I knew that Pentosin 11s was used in the 2004 SL55 AMG ABC system? Now I look in the 2004 Owners Manual and it says "hydraulic fluid". My ABC is leaking and (until I repair/replace it) I want to add fluid...what do I use (and can you direct me where to find the official answer)? Thanks, Tom
I wonder why the manual does not spell it out?
Anyway, I have had a sag in the left rear strut (weeping a little) after leaving the car parked for a day or two which has grown to two struts and maybe a hose droplet. I love the SL55 so I am converting to coilover/swaybar.
Tom
There’s also a guy who swears by this QMI hydraulic treatment. There’s some on eBay as they don’t make it anymore.doesn’t look like it has stop leak, but if my struts start seeping I will try some mechanic in a can, because I know I will be converting.
Be nice if the ABC wasn’t so problematic. I have 3 R230 cars and all have issues from seeping struts to about ready to fail hoses to droop and raising in park to complete failure. 43,000 miles 67,000 miles and complete failure at 107,000 on its third pump.
There’s also a guy who swears by this QMI hydraulic treatment. There’s some on eBay as they don’t make it anymore.doesn’t look like it has stop leak, but if my struts start seeping I will try some mechanic in a can, because I know I will be converting.
Be nice if the ABC wasn’t so problematic. I have 3 R230 cars and all have issues from seeping struts to about ready to fail hoses to droop and raising in park to complete failure. 43,000 miles 67,000 miles and complete failure at 107,000 on its third pump.
If you don't value originality, the aftermarket seems to have stepped up on ABC replacement options. I have no experience (yet) but the reviews are equal to better than factory original.
I have installed it on one of mine, it rides better than my lowered stock sl55 with the ABC in place. I can’t speak of stock ride height as I don’t have one that isn’t lowered. It should be noted that in the 107,000 mile sl500 that is converted I chose one of the less expensive brands( they all look suspiciously similar) and that is what I am basing the opinion on.
Possibly one of the higher priced ones have better options, but like Forrest Gump said, “that’s one less thing to worry about” I can concentrate on diagnosing and repairing the other ongoing issues.
I have installed it on one of mine, it rides better than my lowered stock sl55 with the ABC in place. I can’t speak of stock ride height as I don’t have one that isn’t lowered. It should be noted that in the 107,000 mile sl500 that is converted I chose one of the less expensive brands( they all look suspiciously similar) and that is what I am basing the opinion on.
Possibly one of the higher priced ones have better options, but like Forrest Gump said, “that’s one less thing to worry about” I can concentrate on diagnosing and repairing the other ongoing issues.
My gameplan is a set of SILVER'S NEOMAX COILOVER KIT set at factory height (or maybe an inch lower) with VVK sway-bars.
Sounds like a solid plan, I did notice that some manufacturers sell struts for stock height and lowered cars, I don’t think that was an option for my coilovess though.
Once I had a strut that started leaking prodigiously, & prior to installing coil overs, I wanted to keep my R230 on the road whilst I waited for the new bits to arrive. My experience with various fluids was as follows:
1: Power Steering Stop Leak = Minor change in fluid loss. (Assuming that fluid loss was at a level of losing a liter of Pentosin per day)
2. Power steering fluid in place of Pentosin = No real change in fluid loss. (The PS fluid is far cheaper so definitely better than losing $30/liter of Pentosin)
3. Automatic Transmission Fluid = A notable change in fluid loss which eventually resulted in no fluid loss with the arrival of the lower ambient temps that accompanied the arrival of winter.
To be clear, ATP wasn't a magical cure all. It simple had a high enough viscosity to stop the prodigious leaking. The ride quality was "pillow-like". (Comfortable, but bouncy on big undulations on the road) But the ATP allowed me to traverse from November til April before being compelled to install the new coil overs. About every 3 weeks the "Red" - 'Drive Carefully' warning would alight, and adding a few ounces of ATP would douse it. Since I knew I was replacing the ABC, I could care less what damage the ATP was doing to the system. .
Thank you for the insight, just run ATF and put the money and time towards the conversion. I thought there may be some magic elixir, but in the end it’s either coilovers or round and round repair.
Once I had a strut that started leaking prodigiously, & prior to installing coil overs, I wanted to keep my R230 on the road whilst I waited for the new bits to arrive. My experience with various fluids was as follows:
1: Power Steering Stop Leak = Minor change in fluid loss. (Assuming that fluid loss was at a level of losing a liter of Pentosin per day)
2. Power steering fluid in place of Pentosin = No real change in fluid loss. (The PS fluid is far cheaper so definitely better than losing $30/liter of Pentosin)
3. Automatic Transmission Fluid = A notable change in fluid loss which eventually resulted in no fluid loss with the arrival of the lower ambient temps that accompanied the arrival of winter.
To be clear, ATP wasn't a magical cure all. It simple had a high enough viscosity to stop the prodigious leaking. The ride quality was "pillow-like". (Comfortable, but bouncy on big undulations on the road) But the ATP allowed me to traverse from November til April before being compelled to install the new coil overs. About every 3 weeks the "Red" - 'Drive Carefully' warning would alight, and adding a few ounces of ATP would douse it. Since I knew I was replacing the ABC, I could care less what damage the ATP was doing to the system. .
Thank you for your experience...did you ultimately sell the ABC struts to a supplier/rebuilder to recoup some $s?
Thank you for your experience...did you ultimately sell the ABC struts to a supplier/rebuilder to recoup some $s?
Yes. Sold the struts to Arnott for $200 each. Arnott suspended their purchase program for most of the Pandemic, but restarted it again in September. Check their website for current status.
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