rickard681

I just got an answer from Brak Walker @ strutmasters. Apparently the SL500 kit DOES work on our SL55s.

his response was "" sorry . i was out a couple of days . the sl500 kit would put it at 28 1/2 plus or minus an 1/2 inch all the way around ""

See the above, previous posts. I sent pics of my SL55 with a tape measure at the top of the wheel arch in the 'normal' (low) ABS position and of the 'medium' and 'high' setting.

Normal with ABS the wheel arch is 26 1/2. Medium is ~ 27 1/4 and the ABC high setting on a stock SL55 is about ~ 27 3/4. So, he is saying that the SL500 kit would put the SL55 at 28 - 29 inches. At best that is 1/4 inch ABOVE the higest ABC setting on a stock suspension. At worst, it raises the 'HIGH stock' ABC by 1 1/4 inches. Way to high.

Any thoughts, anyone?

Wingzero

Yeah that height is a good bit too high. But isn't that kit adjustable and if it's not cant you just buy aftermarket lowering spings to make up for the additional height?

rickard681

Good questions. Adjusting the springs (tension) by adjusting the collar on a coilover makes the ride softer or harder (less sway, more ground hugging). So that doesn't do it. However, different spring rates (different springs ... would solve the height problem.

Interesting. Let me email Brad Walker @ strutmasters and see what he says.
It wouldn't be a bad idea if you and others show an interest in the coilover conversion for your/our sl55s.

The more interest Strutmasters see ... the better.
I email Brad @ this address (strutmasters addy): brad@strutmasters.com .

SL55K

^ Oh yes please do!

superstar

Subscribed

Rick SL55

keep us posted

overZealous1

adjusting the lower spring perch DOES lower the car and does not raise spring rate. changing springs is only way to raise spring rate. or cutting a coil or 2 off will also raise spring rate due to less coils being able to bend.
only way the spring rate would rise due to adjusting a lower collar is if the strut was in full extension at drive height and would have to be a progressive spring. just to clarify.
so you could cut a coil off and get a drop and raise spring rate a touch. cheap and easy. custom springs would run about $100-150 each. but you really need to know what your doing to get uncompressed heights and spring rates correct.

rickard681

That being the case one would think Brad @ Strutmasters would say that the SL500 conversion kit will work on the SL55 and the ride height can be adjusted by...

My last email to him said:
"" Isn't there a spring with the proper rates that would leave the ride height at about 27 1/4 to 27 12/ available? When you say " the sl500 kit would put it at 28
> 1/2 plus or minus an 1/2 inch all the way around " Is that based on the height of my car Vs the height of an SL500 - from stock height to converted height?
Is it really that much heavier than the SL500, both front & rear? I would think the rear would be the same for both cars. A shorter spring, with the proper rates, is the only way I can see to solve what would be an unreasonable ride height for the kit in an SL55.""

I haven't gotten a reply yet.

Your thoughts?

Wingzero

Either I missed it completely or just don't remember but is the kit a straight strut replacement or is it a fully adjustable coilover system? I ask this bc on my car I have Ksport Kontrol pro coilovers, in which I can adjust the height, camber and damper. So if one were to adjust the lower collar and adjust the damper, one would not need different springs. But if the kit is not adjustable there are springs that do lower AND change the spring rate. So it a matter of whether or not tha kit is a fully adjustable or a set strut replacement. Am I correct?

rickard681

[QUOTE=Wingzero;5692313]Either I missed it completely or just don't remember but is the kit a straight strut replacement or is it a fully adjustable coilover system? ....QUOTE]

Check out Strutmasters.com on their SL55 'kit'. You are right. If it is a coilover shock it is adjustable. I don't know why Strutmasters just don't explain themselves on the 'sameness or differences' of the SL500 kit and the same kit on the SL55 since the chassis are the same with the ABC.

Give brad@strutmasters a call ""
you can reach me at 877-836-4648 . just ask for brad ""

Deal with them directly. I have a feeling the 'kit' is the same for the SL500 as for the SL55. Bet they just swap right in.... and adjust to what you need.

Call them. Keep us advised.
Thanks

Wingzero

I'll get on that tomorrow most definitely. Kinda want to get this ABC thing fixed for my mother asap. I'd rather her get coilovers than just replace an ACB system that will go back out over time.

rickard681

Take a look at the videos for installing the 'kit' into the 2003 SL500. Note that there is no lower collar to adjust... only a perch.

That being said... bet that lopping off one coil would lower the SL500 kit perfectly for the SL55 since brad@strutmasters.com said that the SL500 kit would raise the front & rear of our SL55s by about an inch. Looks like it would work to me.

Thoughts ?/ comments ??

Wingzero

Yeah I see what you mean. It looks like you would just buy a set of lowering springs all the way around the car with a stiffer rate to compensate for the gain of height and to make sure the tires don't rub on the splash guards.

rickard681

I'm not sure you would need a different spring. From what I see, removing one coil with a cutoff wheel would work great. As for stiffer spring rate ... Brad says going from the SL500 to the SL55 would RAISE the the car saying the spring is too long... but the rate should be the same for both R230 chassis cars... don't you think? Wonder what the front / rear weight distribution and weight is for both cars ?? That would answer that spring rate question.

thoughts ??

Wingzero

Ok I see what you're saying. In that case it does seem like the weight distribution must be significantly different between the two models. I'll look into that.

overZealous1

i must say there is something weird in the stock amg rears. i had the car up for a long time once and lost all pressure in the rear. the car was higher than normal and super springy. once i turned it on and built pressure again, the car dropped about 3". so the rear amg system must actually hold car down in the rear vs. helping hold it up if that makes sense.

i could not imagine the sl500 and sl55 being any real measureable difference in weight balance. my guess is they are using around a 400lb per inch spring so it would take 400lbs to make that one inch difference.
it is sounding like they don't want to deal with it much and may take more pushing and questions to make it reality, but it sounds close.

Wingzero

Yeah I did some serious googling, lol, and really couldn't find anything on the weight ratios of any of the cars. But as zealous1 said it really can't be THAT much of a difference in the weights of the 500 and 55, and the 600 and the 65/black series. I still wouldn't mind using the black series coils instead of going with strutmasters given that the black's coils are a direct fit. I like the idea of adjustable height and dampers but I'm bias towards coils lol

rickard681

That may simply be that the system had weight hung on it in the tire down direction (hanging wheels) and when the system was pressurized it returned to normal. Likely normal for an hydraulic system in rest position with pressure on it. Maybe ...

rickard681

I would be inclined to look for 'value'. What does the Black series bring to the table vs cost and the Strutmasters setup vs cost. I would probably opt for the Strutmasters. Coilover struts are just coilover struts. Mercedes doesn't make their own. Likely Sachs or Bilsteins. Don't know who makes the struts on the Strutmasters 'kit'. The Black series must have a 'light' fix to prevent a red light on the failure or not even have a sensor since they don't have our system of struts. Wonder what the differences are. Worth looking into how the Black series solves the 'no hydraulics' situation. It may, indeed, be a direct swap ... physically but require some fixes on the SL55 to compensate for the hydraulic struts being removed.

Wingzero

Value vs cost is really the smart way to go about it. But like I said in my case I'm totally bias towards coils. I've even thought about looking in to an air ride system. But what we really should do is find someone on her with a 2005 black series, have them take pics and we compare the two systems to each other. Even a side by side picture comparison is better than nothing and speculation. When and if we find someone with the black we'll have them get a tape measure the two strut towers, compare the two and see how much off the measurements are to each other. Once we have those we could probably start our own conversion kit lol

0-60Motorsports

Any updates?

superstar

I see the only option so far, is the Black Series suspension retrofitting. Any one knows how much that would cost in term of parts? Someone gotta give it a shot and report to the community the results.

City Rat

Came to the same conclusion, what is the parts cost for the BS setup?

JadAwada

Hello guys,

I have sent the following e-mail to KW Suspension GmBH:

And I would like you to send them something similar at technik@kwautomotive.de

Lets hope a reputable suspension company helps us find a conversion kit for our ****ING ABC SYSTEM!!

0-60Motorsports

Nice one. I hope they reply with a solution. As far as i know the SL doesnt come with sway bars right? So if it doesnt, once you go on coils how would body roll be controlled?

Also can someone show in detail diagrams what suspension components the SL BS has?