SL/R231: ABC pump pulsation damper replacement - hex head popped off - WTH?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 267
Likes: 114
From: Virginia Beach
R231 SL 63
ABC pump pulsation damper replacement - hex head popped off - WTH?
Ordered a pulsation damper to replace the noisy one on my SL63.
While trying to get the old one off, the 17mm hex head snapped right off. Unbelievable!
Now what do I do? That thing is on there solid and without a way to grab onto it, not sure how it’s going to come out without taking a lot of stuff apart that I’d rather not.
Any ideas?
Thanks.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 267
Likes: 114
From: Virginia Beach
R231 SL 63
Just to update, I did some searching across this site as well as some others, and I have a couple of options. Starting with smacking the damper housing some to break the seized connection:
Option 1: Use a strap wrench - similar to an oil filter wrench to try taking it off that way with the least amount of mess.
Option 2: Grind a slot into the housing and with said slot use a cold chisel to get it to turn.
Will try later to get it off later today.
The Mrs. actually asked me if I was sure I knew what I was doing, lol. Never before has that come from her regarding cars, boats, motorcycles, etc. She then added that maybe the AMG is a little too delicate? UGH!!
Option 1: Use a strap wrench - similar to an oil filter wrench to try taking it off that way with the least amount of mess.
Option 2: Grind a slot into the housing and with said slot use a cold chisel to get it to turn.
Will try later to get it off later today.
The Mrs. actually asked me if I was sure I knew what I was doing, lol. Never before has that come from her regarding cars, boats, motorcycles, etc. She then added that maybe the AMG is a little too delicate? UGH!!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 267
Likes: 114
From: Virginia Beach
R231 SL 63
Well, strap wrenches did not work. Chain wrenches didn’t either (no room). Eventually, it came down to a cutoff wheel, a cold chisel, and a ball-peen hammer.
What a mother f-monger to take off! It was seized in there pretty good, but it eventually gave way. Once it moved, it came off by hand with little effort.
One thing I noticed is that the fluid smells a little burnt. The color is no longer green, but instead, is a clean-ish motor oil color. I guess it’s time to flush it and change the filter. I’ll try to do that over the holiday break this coming week.
Anyone have a line on where to get the fluid at a good price?
What a mother f-monger to take off! It was seized in there pretty good, but it eventually gave way. Once it moved, it came off by hand with little effort.
One thing I noticed is that the fluid smells a little burnt. The color is no longer green, but instead, is a clean-ish motor oil color. I guess it’s time to flush it and change the filter. I’ll try to do that over the holiday break this coming week.
Anyone have a line on where to get the fluid at a good price?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 267
Likes: 114
From: Virginia Beach
R231 SL 63
Yep, CHF11s.
Looks like this is probably the best deal going. A proper flush, I believe, takes 8-9 liters to do correctly. The following is 6 for less than the price of three on Amazon (FCP Euro is a little cheap than Amazon but not by much):
https://petroleumservicecompany.com/...ucts%20(Backup)
Looks like this is probably the best deal going. A proper flush, I believe, takes 8-9 liters to do correctly. The following is 6 for less than the price of three on Amazon (FCP Euro is a little cheap than Amazon but not by much):
https://petroleumservicecompany.com/...ucts%20(Backup)
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 563
Likes: 171
From: Nothern Georgia, U.S.A.
'17 SL450, '25 Lyriq, '25 Sonata Hybrid, '96 Corvette GS coupe
Ordered a pulsation damper to replace the noisy one on my SL63.
While trying to get the old one off, the 17mm hex head snapped right off. Unbelievable!
Now what do I do? That thing is on there solid and without a way to grab onto it, not sure how it’s going to come out without taking a lot of stuff apart that I’d rather not.
Any ideas?
Thanks.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 267
Likes: 114
From: Virginia Beach
R231 SL 63
Jeez...what a bummer! Glad you finally prevailed. In retrospect, do you think it would have been possible to heat the junction a bit (torch) before going at that 17mm hex? Great post on the fluid source, btw. I'm not an ABC owner, but I sure tried hard to find a 450 with it. I did find one, after a year of searching, but it had been ridden very hard and put away soaking wet. I had to pass on it and ended up with a non-ABC car instead. Who knows, there may yet be one in my future...
Love the ABC! And the pulsation damper fixed my issue, thankfully.
Hope you find yours! Haven’t driven a non-ABC car, but I’m sure she handles really well regardless.
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