SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: 2002 SL55 MORE rear shocks !! - 2 Questions..
05-26-2012, 10:25 AM
#1
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2002 SL55 MORE rear shocks !! - 2 Questions..
Dear oh knowledgable people on the forum.....
I've read all the posts on here about the ABC system and the issues but I was lucky enough to buy a 55 last year that had already had both rears (MA230 320 46 13 and MA230 320 47 13) done at 23,362 miles on 19/6/2008.
About a month into the new ownership (Sep 2011) I noticed I had the limp rear drivers side problem after leaving the car for a couple of weeks.
Starting the car and cycling the height adjustment always sorted the problem and I never had any warning lights come on.
Yesterday the car went to the dealers for an MOT and they failed it on the rear PASSENGER side having a serious leak !
My 2 questions are:-
Putting the limping R/O/S issue aside, is there an MB service note that says that rears should be replaced in pairs ? - Is so, my dealer cannot find it on the MB system ?
Second question, the limping side, I gather from all the posts that this is down to a valve not seating properly and letting the pressure leak back into the system but is that a value AWAY from the suspension unit or part of it.
I suppose what I am getting to is do I replace both or just one ?
I shall be writing to MB once done as the car now only has 51,549 miles on it - Surely these units have a design fault - I can't believe they expect their units to only last on average 25,000 miles ? - This feels like a Consumer Rights Act issue as that can't be considered to be a reasonble period of time nor a reasonable wear rate. (Especially when you find they cured the problem after 2007)
Can anyone help ?
I've read all the posts on here about the ABC system and the issues but I was lucky enough to buy a 55 last year that had already had both rears (MA230 320 46 13 and MA230 320 47 13) done at 23,362 miles on 19/6/2008.
About a month into the new ownership (Sep 2011) I noticed I had the limp rear drivers side problem after leaving the car for a couple of weeks.
Starting the car and cycling the height adjustment always sorted the problem and I never had any warning lights come on.
Yesterday the car went to the dealers for an MOT and they failed it on the rear PASSENGER side having a serious leak !
My 2 questions are:-
Putting the limping R/O/S issue aside, is there an MB service note that says that rears should be replaced in pairs ? - Is so, my dealer cannot find it on the MB system ?
Second question, the limping side, I gather from all the posts that this is down to a valve not seating properly and letting the pressure leak back into the system but is that a value AWAY from the suspension unit or part of it.
I suppose what I am getting to is do I replace both or just one ?
I shall be writing to MB once done as the car now only has 51,549 miles on it - Surely these units have a design fault - I can't believe they expect their units to only last on average 25,000 miles ? - This feels like a Consumer Rights Act issue as that can't be considered to be a reasonble period of time nor a reasonable wear rate. (Especially when you find they cured the problem after 2007)
Can anyone help ?
05-26-2012, 10:28 AM
#2
It is either a valve block or a shock. A valve block will have no external leaks usually. A shock usually will leak at the top and be visible. You will also be losing some pentosin.
If they saw a leak it is most likely the shock and you don't have to touch thr valve body.
If they saw a leak it is most likely the shock and you don't have to touch thr valve body.
Last edited by alx; 05-26-2012 at 10:33 AM.
05-26-2012, 10:38 AM
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They have not seen any leak on the drivers side rear shock and there has never been anything on the garage floor - only the passenger side has a visible leak - so valve block is my suspicion from what you say.
05-26-2012, 06:05 PM
#4
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I certainly do not think you have to replace ABC struts in pairs. Apparently, a company called Arnott makes after market struts for our cars and they carry a lifetime warranty. Check post #6 https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-...ying-sl55.html
Maybe you can find a good indy that can do the install and save a few bucks or quid
Do keep in mind the Indy would need MBs Star diagnostics system because they will need to "rodeo" the system once the new struts are installed.
Maybe you can find a good indy that can do the install and save a few bucks or quid
Do keep in mind the Indy would need MBs Star diagnostics system because they will need to "rodeo" the system once the new struts are installed.
