SL/R230: My suspension puts my car on the ground!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 8
From: Sweden
2008 MB CL600. 2020 MB E300 de. 1987 BMW M535i.
My suspension puts my car on the ground!
Hi.
I recently bought a SL600 from 2005, with only 66.000 km (42.000 miles), and according to carfax it checks out.
This is my fifth R230 (three SL600 and one SL65), and I have never experienced this before.
It's in both front and rear, so the hole car drops to the floor!
And when I start it up, it doesn't rise. Only when I push the suspension button it rises.
I'm not sure how long it takes for the car to drop like that, but I would guess in a matter of 1-2 weeks.
Please, does anyone have a clue..?
I recently bought a SL600 from 2005, with only 66.000 km (42.000 miles), and according to carfax it checks out.
This is my fifth R230 (three SL600 and one SL65), and I have never experienced this before.
It's in both front and rear, so the hole car drops to the floor!
And when I start it up, it doesn't rise. Only when I push the suspension button it rises.
I'm not sure how long it takes for the car to drop like that, but I would guess in a matter of 1-2 weeks.
Please, does anyone have a clue..?
Last edited by maxabo; Mar 5, 2023 at 05:10 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 746
Likes: 184
From: Melbourne, Australia
2005 SL 500 R230
The car won't rise if it's sitting in park with the engine on. That is normal operation.
You have to put it in neutral and take your foot off the brake for it to rise, or just drive off, or push the height button.
If it rises quickly and strongly then it is more than likely just internal leaks in the valve blocks, one for each axle. This is common at this age. They can be rebuilt at low cost. Suggest you do a fluid and filter change with the rebuild.
You have to put it in neutral and take your foot off the brake for it to rise, or just drive off, or push the height button.
If it rises quickly and strongly then it is more than likely just internal leaks in the valve blocks, one for each axle. This is common at this age. They can be rebuilt at low cost. Suggest you do a fluid and filter change with the rebuild.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 8
From: Sweden
2008 MB CL600. 2020 MB E300 de. 1987 BMW M535i.
OK thank you so far.
However you guys seem to talk about two different things.
But since the car doesn't have air suspension, I'll go with Tom Manning's suggestion.
So Tom Manning, my car rises quickly & strongly, so I'm very much interested in those valve blocks your'e mensioning!
But please help me understand, where on the axel is this valve sitting..? Front & rear.
Do you have the OEM-number perhaps..? (Are they the same for both 500 and 600?)
And is there a way I can test these valvs and make sure it is them that are broken..?
However you guys seem to talk about two different things.
But since the car doesn't have air suspension, I'll go with Tom Manning's suggestion.
So Tom Manning, my car rises quickly & strongly, so I'm very much interested in those valve blocks your'e mensioning!
But please help me understand, where on the axel is this valve sitting..? Front & rear.
Do you have the OEM-number perhaps..? (Are they the same for both 500 and 600?)
And is there a way I can test these valvs and make sure it is them that are broken..?
Last edited by maxabo; Mar 5, 2023 at 09:49 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 746
Likes: 184
From: Melbourne, Australia
2005 SL 500 R230
Unless there are fluid leaks on the ground, then you have leaking valve blocks, allowing fluid from the struts to leak back into the tank. Thus, the car sags.
Here's a good rebuild guide at https://mbworld.org/forums/cl-class-...lots-pics.html
You can buy rebuilt valve blocks from this specialist at https://mbworld.org/forums/cl-class-...lots-pics.html
OR you can buy brand new valve blocks - an updated, improved design from MB. They're expensive.
The front valve block is under the panel under the front bumper. The rear valve block is at the front of the rear wheel well cover on the left hand side.
Here's a good rebuild guide at https://mbworld.org/forums/cl-class-...lots-pics.html
You can buy rebuilt valve blocks from this specialist at https://mbworld.org/forums/cl-class-...lots-pics.html
OR you can buy brand new valve blocks - an updated, improved design from MB. They're expensive.
The front valve block is under the panel under the front bumper. The rear valve block is at the front of the rear wheel well cover on the left hand side.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 8
From: Sweden
2008 MB CL600. 2020 MB E300 de. 1987 BMW M535i.
Unless there are fluid leaks on the ground, then you have leaking valve blocks, allowing fluid from the struts to leak back into the tank. Thus, the car sags.
Here's a good rebuild guide at https://mbworld.org/forums/cl-class-...lots-pics.html
You can buy rebuilt valve blocks from this specialist at https://mbworld.org/forums/cl-class-...lots-pics.html
OR you can buy brand new valve blocks - an updated, improved design from MB. They're expensive.
The front valve block is under the panel under the front bumper. The rear valve block is at the front of the rear wheel well cover on the left hand side.
Here's a good rebuild guide at https://mbworld.org/forums/cl-class-...lots-pics.html
You can buy rebuilt valve blocks from this specialist at https://mbworld.org/forums/cl-class-...lots-pics.html
OR you can buy brand new valve blocks - an updated, improved design from MB. They're expensive.
The front valve block is under the panel under the front bumper. The rear valve block is at the front of the rear wheel well cover on the left hand side.
This will help us out a lot!
