SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Replacing Front Shocks, Control Arms, Accumulators
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
BMW M5 / SL55 AMG
Replacing Front Shocks, Control Arms, Accumulators
I'm in need of replacing Front Shocks, Control Arms, Accumulators on my 2004 SL55 AMG with 85,000 miles.
From what I have read, the shocks are fairly straightforward. What about the lower control arms? Easy DIY? - I am fairly competent with a wrench - have built several engines and restored other vehicles - just don't want to get into this and find I need special tools or equipment....
Rebuilding front valve block at the same time. Where are all the accumulators located? I believe two are on the valve blocks (front and rear). Where are the others?
Thanks in advance!
From what I have read, the shocks are fairly straightforward. What about the lower control arms? Easy DIY? - I am fairly competent with a wrench - have built several engines and restored other vehicles - just don't want to get into this and find I need special tools or equipment....
Rebuilding front valve block at the same time. Where are all the accumulators located? I believe two are on the valve blocks (front and rear). Where are the others?
Thanks in advance!
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 955
Likes: 127
From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
why are you replacing both front shocks? There is one accumulator on the front valve block (located in the front of the drivers front wheel well) one accumulator (called a pulsation dampener) located in back of the drivers front wheel well and one on the rear valve block (located in the drivers rear wheel well).
No special tools needed, other than you really need to be using a flare nut wrench and the quick disconnect lines from the shocks to the lines are a pain in the ***.
The lower control arms that the shocks mount to will fry the bushings and need replaced about every 40k miles or so. May want to consider buying these control arms with a lifetime warranty so you can replace them free when the quickly go bad again.
No special tools needed, other than you really need to be using a flare nut wrench and the quick disconnect lines from the shocks to the lines are a pain in the ***.
The lower control arms that the shocks mount to will fry the bushings and need replaced about every 40k miles or so. May want to consider buying these control arms with a lifetime warranty so you can replace them free when the quickly go bad again.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 992
Likes: 245
From: Tucson, AZ
'20 X5 M50i; '17 Ram 3500; Golf Cart; Bikes; Scooters
If you buy the bushing press, you can replace the just the bushings on the lower control arms. Press is about $150, but I've used mine on 4 bushings so far and it has paid for itself. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Tor...874010&vxp=mtr
