SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: new 55 owner inherited ABC problems.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
2004 sl55 AMG
Having it shipped from phoenix to norcal. I dont feel comfortable driving it here in its current condition, and the cost of a flight+gas+time would likely outweight a carrier's fees.
Can anyone recommend a reputable transport service?
Sad to say, but yes... neglect is a good choice of word
unfortunately his response to a warning light is "well its still running for now" and his response to needing service is "i havent been driving it"
I feel obligated to save this car.
Can anyone recommend a reputable transport service?
Sad to say, but yes... neglect is a good choice of word
unfortunately his response to a warning light is "well its still running for now" and his response to needing service is "i havent been driving it"I feel obligated to save this car.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 255
Likes: 3
2003 SL55 Klemman
having just done a complete overhaul of the abc system after constant issues ill chime in. I am by no means an expert on the abc system but have done extensive reading on the subject and have come to the following conclusions.
for the sagging issue its the valve blocks are stuck and not closing all the way. they can be rebuilt but i say this from experience it took my indy three tries to get the blocks rebuilt correctly so they wouldn't leak down and sag. In the end it still cost me less than one new block but depends on if you have the time and patience if its worth the hassle vs cost.
i read that replacing the soft lines with hard lines is a bad idea as that if the system over presurizes it blows the abc pump rather than a cheap line.
typically line bursts are caused because of worn accumulators. as the accumulator wears out its loses its ability to stabilize spikes in the system pressure thus resulting in bursting hoses.
Additionally depending on what initially goes on the abc system it creates a shotgun effect of particulates that spread though the entire system creating a non ending cycle of parts breaking. My solution was simply to redo the entire system. i replaced the pump, 4 accumulators, struts and ran a complete bleed and filter twice.
It ran me about $2400 all in but system is running great and trouble free so far.
for the sagging issue its the valve blocks are stuck and not closing all the way. they can be rebuilt but i say this from experience it took my indy three tries to get the blocks rebuilt correctly so they wouldn't leak down and sag. In the end it still cost me less than one new block but depends on if you have the time and patience if its worth the hassle vs cost.
i read that replacing the soft lines with hard lines is a bad idea as that if the system over presurizes it blows the abc pump rather than a cheap line.
typically line bursts are caused because of worn accumulators. as the accumulator wears out its loses its ability to stabilize spikes in the system pressure thus resulting in bursting hoses.
Additionally depending on what initially goes on the abc system it creates a shotgun effect of particulates that spread though the entire system creating a non ending cycle of parts breaking. My solution was simply to redo the entire system. i replaced the pump, 4 accumulators, struts and ran a complete bleed and filter twice.
It ran me about $2400 all in but system is running great and trouble free so far.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 173
From: Long Island New York
2003 SL55,2020 GTC ,2017 GTS sold ,2002 G500 Sold,2003 SL500 Sold,
I did both valve blocks and the front left strut I believe I paid 1400 each on the blocks and 6 or 8 hundred on the strut from Arnott ,plus fluid and filter ,did the job myself ,it's perfect now,can't imagine what the dealer would have charged
7k ?
A side note even though I have STAR I didn't need to do the rodeo like the dealer sells you ,a few up and downs on the height buttons is all I did .
7k ?
A side note even though I have STAR I didn't need to do the rodeo like the dealer sells you ,a few up and downs on the height buttons is all I did .
Last edited by cnterline; Jan 5, 2015 at 06:27 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,212
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Dealer charges over $2k per strut, around $3.5k for ABC pump with installation, valve blocks will be around $1.5 to $2k, not sure on the accumulators since mine were never replaced. Dealer tested and said they were good but I sure did blow a hell of a lot of lines. It seemed like it was around $3/mile to operate but, in reality, probably closer to $1 to 1.50 per mile.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 255
Likes: 3
2003 SL55 Klemman
Pricing is off the top of my head could be off a few dollars here and there but:
remanufactured abc pump $1100 (shop purchased it dont know where it came from)
new accumulators (parts geek) $150 (x4)
arnott strutts after core exchange $350 (x2) (purchased through arnott by the shop)
filter / fluids $50
so guess with tax a little over $2500 for parts.
Note that i had my valve blocks rebuilt not replaced.
remanufactured abc pump $1100 (shop purchased it dont know where it came from)
new accumulators (parts geek) $150 (x4)
arnott strutts after core exchange $350 (x2) (purchased through arnott by the shop)
filter / fluids $50
so guess with tax a little over $2500 for parts.
Note that i had my valve blocks rebuilt not replaced.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 306
Likes: 19
From: West Chester, PA - USA
2003 SL55 AMG
If valve blocks need replacing/rebuilding, there is a fellow over on the W211 Forum in Houston who has rebuilt quite a few of the valve blocks. Seems to have success. His Forum name is JNash. Here's a link: https://mbworld.org/forums/cl55-amg-...ock-today.html
He has posts #65 and #66 on that page, along with several others on the topic.
He has posts #65 and #66 on that page, along with several others on the topic.
Last edited by kittyandgary; Feb 25, 2015 at 01:42 PM.
