SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: S55 Suspension "Crashes" Over Potholes
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Elon, NC
Kleemann S55 AMG
S55 Suspension "Crashes" Over Potholes
Does anyone else have issues with their S55 suspension feeling like it "crashes" over potholes ... I can seriously feel the suspension react AFTER the pothole, it just feels like a completely worn out set of shocks in need of replacement (only the car otherwise rides stiff and of course there is no pogo-effect or bouncing). What gives here? Mileage is way up there (I have 180,000 highway miles now) but it is my understanding that we don't have any "shocks" like traditional shocks that can be replaced and I have no ABC error codes or anything of that sort. Any ideas?
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G55, SLS, smart eq
If you are referring to the "thump" you can feel/hear over the rear axle when passing over a small bump (and perhaps a pothole, don't know since we don't have them here) then yes, that seems normal. With a loaded car (4 people) the "thump" is gone.
The "thump" almost feels like there is something heavy loose in the trunk or something.
I spoke to my service manager and he said he heard similar things on a CL with ABC. They checked if everything was tight and it was. So it probably is the ABC and the chassis that interact with eachother like that on small bumps.
The "thump" almost feels like there is something heavy loose in the trunk or something.
I spoke to my service manager and he said he heard similar things on a CL with ABC. They checked if everything was tight and it was. So it probably is the ABC and the chassis that interact with eachother like that on small bumps.
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From: U.K.
SL 63 W/B AMG , S600,C220
Does anyone else have issues with their S55 suspension feeling like it "crashes" over potholes ... I can seriously feel the suspension react AFTER the pothole, it just feels like a completely worn out set of shocks in need of replacement (only the car otherwise rides stiff and of course there is no pogo-effect or bouncing). What gives here? Mileage is way up there (I have 180,000 highway miles now) but it is my understanding that we don't have any "shocks" like traditional shocks that can be replaced and I have no ABC error codes or anything of that sort. Any ideas?
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Elon, NC
Kleemann S55 AMG
Actually it seems to be mostly coming from the rear ... if the pothole happens to be in a curve it almost feels like the back gets "loose" for a second. I'm sure that I need to check the bushings in the front but it was just at the MB Dealer a few days ago for a service and they told me everything was in good shape, but who knows.
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Mercedes Benz
Actually it seems to be mostly coming from the rear ... if the pothole happens to be in a curve it almost feels like the back gets "loose" for a second. I'm sure that I need to check the bushings in the front but it was just at the MB Dealer a few days ago for a service and they told me everything was in good shape, but who knows.
Then there are the rubber bushings in the suspension. 180k miles? You should go through the car and replace every bushing in addition to the tie rod ends. Those parts are so long gone. My 04 also had completely worn out front thrust and control arm bushings.
With 180k miles you likely need a large amount of suspension work. THe car is just getting tired. With the costs to do the work a newer car is the way to go.
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From: Bay Area, CA
05 E55, 07 SL65, 06 S4
Struts
Was this on a SL? I seem to remember from pics I have seen the shock absorbers are an integral part of the ABC strut - are you saying the shocks are serviceable separate from the struts?
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Mercedes Benz
This is where a car with standard suspension parts is far better. If I had to pay for that work it would have been 9k in part for some shocks and bushings. Owning these cars out of warranty is a bad plan. Either the car gets old and wiggly or you go broke replacing parts.
