SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: VVK -Coil overs and sway bars
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2003 SL55
VVK -Coil overs and sway bars
Guys,
Sean at VVK just received my 2003 SL55 at their shop in Stuart Florida. I'll be picking it up the first week in August, but that date is at my request not theirs. He'll be sending pictures as work progress and I'll post them here.
Sean at VVK just received my 2003 SL55 at their shop in Stuart Florida. I'll be picking it up the first week in August, but that date is at my request not theirs. He'll be sending pictures as work progress and I'll post them here.
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2003 SL55
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From: Hudson NH
2007 SL65, 2009 SL550, 1991 SL500
Thinking of doing this to my 07 SL565
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Excellent! This I am interested in. Looking at a SL55 but do not want to worry about ABC. My CL600 has ABC but has not been a issue and want to swap when the time comes. The SL55 I want to buy in the next few months hopefully. Only thing I want to know is can a I get ABC conversion done with no issues and a light fix. Good luck and keep us posted.
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2003 SL55
The light fix is easily handled at the dealership. I now wish I would have bought a really clean SL with a bad ABC system at a discount and then had it ripped out and coilovers and bars installed. I'll keep ya'll in the loop.
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Joined: Sep 2015
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From: Dawesville, West Australia
2006 E55, 2006 SL55, 2006 LS7 Ute
That is not correct. Only a STAR with developer mode can code out the warning. No dealers have developer mode which can only be switched on by the factory. That is my information so far.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 10
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From: Elgin, IL
2015 S550 4Matic, 2005 SL65 AMG, 2008 CL65 AMG, 2006 Mini JCW GP, 2012 Mini JCW GP, 2011 AM Rapide
I'm trying to call Sean number but never reach him and the voicemailbox is full. Anybody can help me with this? I want to order the coil over for my 2005 SL65
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 10
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From: Elgin, IL
2015 S550 4Matic, 2005 SL65 AMG, 2008 CL65 AMG, 2006 Mini JCW GP, 2012 Mini JCW GP, 2011 AM Rapide
I got mine done 7 months ago. It took about 6 months from placing the order until we got it installed properly. But mine was SL65. The space for the front swaybar was very tight. VVK ended up need to custom fabricated the sway bar link for me. Sean was very helpful and it does not cost me extra. Just need to be patient. I am still waiting whether he will do the replacement pump for SL65. Mine still using tandem pump
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2003 SL55
Vvk Coilovers and Swaybars
So I had their complete system installed more than a year ago and have 10k miles or more on the car since then.
They were kind enough to do the install for me including completely removing the ABC system, and over all I feel it was money well spent. No more blowing hydraulic lines or sealing up leaks has made the car much more dependable.
It handles like it's on rails so no more over driving the steering system and all front plow is gone especially when in a high speed corner. It definitely feels more planted to the pavement even in the rain and gives me more confidence when flipping the car around on country backroads.
Two things I wish I could change though. There is some popping and knocking from the suspension when hitting bumps which I hear is typical when you switch to coilivers that is annoying, but to be completely honest I've not spoken with VVK about this so I can't fault them as perhaps there is something I can do about it here in Texas.
Also if i was to do this again I'd BE SURE to use a shock that I'd adjustable in both directions. The car rides pretty rough now and I think that would help some, but it probably doesn't help that I have this thing set down in the weeds. I do it again though!!
They were kind enough to do the install for me including completely removing the ABC system, and over all I feel it was money well spent. No more blowing hydraulic lines or sealing up leaks has made the car much more dependable.
It handles like it's on rails so no more over driving the steering system and all front plow is gone especially when in a high speed corner. It definitely feels more planted to the pavement even in the rain and gives me more confidence when flipping the car around on country backroads.
Two things I wish I could change though. There is some popping and knocking from the suspension when hitting bumps which I hear is typical when you switch to coilivers that is annoying, but to be completely honest I've not spoken with VVK about this so I can't fault them as perhaps there is something I can do about it here in Texas.
Also if i was to do this again I'd BE SURE to use a shock that I'd adjustable in both directions. The car rides pretty rough now and I think that would help some, but it probably doesn't help that I have this thing set down in the weeds. I do it again though!!
Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 161
Likes: 13
From: Guthrie, OK
SL55, Opel GT, 70 LT-1, BMW 745 turbo, MRoadster, 49 Stude truck, 69 Z/28, Ferrari project
I have an 04 SL55. The ABC was removed by a previous owner. It has coil overs with Bilstein struts. Also front and rear sway bars. I do not know if they used factory sway bars.
Guessing not, as the sway bar and hardware look exactly like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/22196520034...kAAOSwJBdf06Pt
Rear sway bar clears everything with no issues. Front sway bar barely rubs the oil pan. I THOUGHT it was because the motor mounts needed replaced. I replaced both motor mounts and the trans mount after work this evening. The sway bar still barely rubs the oil pan. The sway bar mounts have about a 10mm spacer on each side between the mount and the chassis. I am planning to put another 1/8 inch spacer in there on each side, and hope that cures it. I don't think I have room for any more spacers.
Anyone else have an SL55 with coilovers and sway bars? I can take a pic of the sway bar tomorrow. Would like to know if it is a factory unit, or aftermarket.
I can start a new thread if needed, but thought it was right in line with the topic of this thread.
Guessing not, as the sway bar and hardware look exactly like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/22196520034...kAAOSwJBdf06Pt
Rear sway bar clears everything with no issues. Front sway bar barely rubs the oil pan. I THOUGHT it was because the motor mounts needed replaced. I replaced both motor mounts and the trans mount after work this evening. The sway bar still barely rubs the oil pan. The sway bar mounts have about a 10mm spacer on each side between the mount and the chassis. I am planning to put another 1/8 inch spacer in there on each side, and hope that cures it. I don't think I have room for any more spacers.
Anyone else have an SL55 with coilovers and sway bars? I can take a pic of the sway bar tomorrow. Would like to know if it is a factory unit, or aftermarket.
I can start a new thread if needed, but thought it was right in line with the topic of this thread.
Last edited by LynnBilodeau; Dec 23, 2021 at 10:59 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Elgin, IL
2015 S550 4Matic, 2005 SL65 AMG, 2008 CL65 AMG, 2006 Mini JCW GP, 2012 Mini JCW GP, 2011 AM Rapide
I have an 04 SL55. The ABC was removed by a previous owner. It has coil overs with Bilstein struts. Also front and rear sway bars. I do not know if they used factory sway bars.
Guessing not, as the sway bar and hardware look exactly like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/221965200348?epid=737786706&hash=item33ae282bdc:g: XAkAAOSwJBdf06Pt
Rear sway bar clears everything with no issues. Front sway bar barely rubs the oil pan. I THOUGHT it was because the motor mounts needed replaced. I replaced both motor mounts and the trans mount after work this evening. The sway bar still barely rubs the oil pan. The sway bar mounts have about a 10mm spacer on each side between the mount and the chassis. I am planning to put another 1/8 inch spacer in there on each side, and hope that cures it. I don't think I have room for any more spacers.
Anyone else have an SL55 with coilovers and sway bars? I can take a pic of the sway bar tomorrow. Would like to know if it is a factory unit, or aftermarket.
I can start a new thread if needed, but thought it was right in line with the topic of this thread.
Guessing not, as the sway bar and hardware look exactly like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/221965200348?epid=737786706&hash=item33ae282bdc:g: XAkAAOSwJBdf06Pt
Rear sway bar clears everything with no issues. Front sway bar barely rubs the oil pan. I THOUGHT it was because the motor mounts needed replaced. I replaced both motor mounts and the trans mount after work this evening. The sway bar still barely rubs the oil pan. The sway bar mounts have about a 10mm spacer on each side between the mount and the chassis. I am planning to put another 1/8 inch spacer in there on each side, and hope that cures it. I don't think I have room for any more spacers.
Anyone else have an SL55 with coilovers and sway bars? I can take a pic of the sway bar tomorrow. Would like to know if it is a factory unit, or aftermarket.
I can start a new thread if needed, but thought it was right in line with the topic of this thread.
Last edited by BMHAN; Dec 24, 2021 at 07:14 AM.
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Joined: Feb 2016
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2004 SL55 AMG
Last edited by Tomcat SL; Dec 24, 2021 at 10:38 AM.
Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 161
Likes: 13
From: Guthrie, OK
SL55, Opel GT, 70 LT-1, BMW 745 turbo, MRoadster, 49 Stude truck, 69 Z/28, Ferrari project
Shimming both sides down another 3/16" got me the clearance I needed. Took it for a drive this afternoon. All good.
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2004 SL55 AMG
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 23
Likes: 3
2003 SL55
My red warning light is off and it never went to the stealership, so I don't know if totally gutting the ABC system shuts the light off but mine IS off. I have a white warning with the sos warning when I start the car which I dismiss.
I wish I could be of more help.
I wish I could be of more help.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 328
Likes: 22
2004 SL55 AMG
Thanks...I'm taking it all in.
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 367
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From: Dawesville, West Australia
2006 E55, 2006 SL55, 2006 LS7 Ute
Just unplug the ABC module to put the light out permanently. You still get a warning at start up but a press of the LH up button gets you to your normal display.
