Benz-O-Rama

For that price, even if I never even need it, it's worth buying. Thanks. Just ordered it, along with a pack of 100 nitrate gloves. I was out...

The car is under warranty, so no big deal. But I hate not knowing what's going on with it, especially when I appeared to have caused it by installing these links.

alx

a stethoscope is invaluable in locating noise sources.

you can also use it to play doctor with suitable parties

Benz-O-Rama

Just stopped my dealer today on a whim, to let my tech hear this noise. Whenever my SL pulls up in the service bay, it tends to attract a bit of extra attention. Anyway, before my tech could even pop the hood, there were 3 more techs with us. All 4 said the same thing. Tandem pump. It's either the pump, or a reservoir, behind the pump? Something to that affect....

I did learn something new. Apparently, when an ABC (tandem) pump fails, the system is smart enough to keep the system pressurized. As long as you don't press the ride height or sport buttons, it'll stay pressurized. As soon as you push that button, SLAM, right to the ground. So, don't do that.

I'm 99.9% sure I caused the issue. It's just too much of a coincidence, that it starting whining, 1 key cycle after I installed those links. Maybe it's because the car was already STAR lowered before the links? Who knows....

The Vossen Wheels video shoot is this weekend, then it's off to the dealer.

kamilclk430

hmmm.... very interesting Car looks great. I have been running lowering links for close to 2 years now with no issues at all. I will go check out my car for you tomorrow and see if noise is there, never paid attention.

Benz-O-Rama

Survey says? Intercooler pump! WTF?

Of course, that whine that I video'd above, wasn't present when it came time for them to fully diagnose the issue. But the tech took it back out for a second test drive and romped on her a bit, and when he brought it back, it was screaming like a banshee in heat. I guess that explains why in the first video (cold start) it didn't make that whine.

Anyway, after he got it up on the lift, he could clearly hear the whine. He tapped on the I/C pump and the noise went away. I guess I didn't shoot myself in the foot after all.


Submitting to warranty.....

NCE500

The I/C pump is not that big of a deal, but be sure to check the I/C radiator cap w/cold engine and top up the coolant for several cycles after you get it back. The replacement pump is supposedly improved and more reliable too, at least that is what I was told.

One other consideration about ABC and lowering; if one lowers the car, would it not theoretically raise the fluid level in the tank? One would think the fluid pushed out via lowered shocks needs to go somewhere. Getting mine STAR lowered tomorrow, so I'll get the answer and post it.

alx

correct. the level gets higher. but not by much.

however, after extensively playing with sds lowering i am thinking it is not a good idea. the safe lowering is not much (especially in the back) and by the time you have any meaningful lowering (again in the back) you are out of bounds and cant save it. there are ways around this, but you are mucking with the load level and i think on a high perf vehicles like ours that is not such a great idea...

falconsprint

I've read that the car lowers itself at highway speed. At what speed does the car lower itself? By how much? If you use lowering links how do you avoid the car dropping too low at this speed?

jmf003

+1. I could only get my car about 1/2 inch lower without sending voltages out of range.

alx

It is my understaing that the car lowers itself at 80 and then again at 120.

If you use lowering links they have no logic obviously so you have to account for the drop at higher speeds by not dropping the car too much in the first place. You don't want to slam it and then at 80 or 120 to find out that it will shred your tires and grind holes in the inner fenders.

cal1

Thanks for the continued discussion on this guys. It seems like the more it gets knocked around, the more good information comes from it. I am starting to think lowering links may not be without a potential for trouble.

iAMGod

Trust me there are no issues with them, I had mine lowered stupidly low, even at speed when the car lowers there was no issue.

If you lower it reasonably low, ie guards flush with tire, you will have no issues.

Vabene7

BenzO,
After I watched your videos, I realized my S600 makes that exact noise but only at start up. Either I don't hear it as pronounced after the car is warmed up or it goes away.....
Now you've got me wondering....
I have recently replaced my intercooler charge pump with a Johnson cm30. But since the IC replacement, I never realized that the whine was not supposed to be there, so I never questioned it.
I haven't driven the car in 5 days or so, but I will check to see if that whine is gone after the intercooler pump has been changed and report back....
I also do not have lowering links on anymore. I replaced them with stock links and lowered the car via STAR.

-Chris

WHTEVO

Guess i'll go ahead and resurrect this thread.

Slightly off topic, but how are you guys lowering via Star? I tried it today on my 07' SL65 and got no where. So now i am looking for a good set of links to buy. Any suggestions?

Aaron

EXECMALIBU

I had Links on two of my older MBs (6.9+ SL55) but not on my SL65. On My SL65 I always have had the MB techs lower the car using the Mercedes SDS System at the MB Dealer... The MB Dealer techs can lower the car about 17-19mm and it is still within the Mercedes factory specs. No codes no issues just set at Euro ride height...