rog2961

Did some digging around on the sbc issues, a $800 reman unit cant be our only option. These companies are rebuilding them somehow and I believe I found how. A7/3m1 is the pump that is on the SBC unit.

Some guys on the russian site figured it out.

http://ml-club.ru/forum/topic/26621-...82%D0%BA%D0%B8

Plutoe

Hey Biff, I got 40 hectors of land on the Volga for sale---interested!!

harjothundal

I might receive some negative press for this comment, so I send my apologies in advance.

If you can't afford an $800 part, then you really purchased the wrong vehicle. I'm seeing this far too often nowadays, especially since the price of these cars has dropped and people are buying e55's instead of a more practical Honda Civics.

Don't cut corners, some people drive these cars very fast, they weight 4000+ pounds, the brakes are not something to take a gamble on.

E55Greasemonkey

oops

E55Greasemonkey

Don't own it if you can't afford the repairs. There are plenty of Honda's out there for sale. I've got a Honda lawnmower. It's the best, most reliable mower I've ever owned.

ItalianJoe1

While I agree there's a certain repair budget that comes with a higher end benz (I have a CL600...), there is a great deal of "mercedes tax" we pay just because there isn't much of a DIY or cheaper replacement option market on these cars. IF the only thing that wears out in an SBC is the electric motor, and you could get it rebuilt for $200, that doesn't make it any less effective than an $800 rebuild. If you say you don't trust rebuilt and only should buy brand new from MB, good on you, you're keeping the company afloat. But we shouldn't discourage people to actually get involved with what makes the car tick and how to keep it in good shape for a reasonable cost.

E55Greasemonkey

Yes, let's get cheap when it comes to the heart of your BRAKING system. You're driving a CL so I'll assume you don't know much about the 211's SBC braking system, which has a manual/emergency backup mode that stops the car about as well as a freight train if the pump goes out. (although the accumulator gives a limited supply of boost)

ItalianJoe1

I am a tech at MB so i'm probably more familiar with the system than you think.

I recently worked on a 2003 E55 with SBC that was due for replacement for a friend. The brakes start to fade out in the hope that you replace the unit. All planned out by engineering.

Notice I said, "IF" the rebuild of the motor gives you equal results. I'm not saying it will. Nor am I saying to cheap out on it. I'm simply saying, discouraging people from exploring options is a ****ty way to go about it. Let him try it and see how it works. If you still want to spend $1500 on a new SBC, that option will always be there.

StarvingArtist

I didn't think the new ones were available anymore through MB?

austingtir

Its not rocket surgery if somebodys remaning them they are likely only replacing the brushes and tidying up the commutator. Then looking at seals and all that.

Or just buying the motor itself. The things just a hydraulic valve body really nothing to be scared of.

If the merc dealers in Russia are anything like in NZ im not surprised the Ruskies dont take no for an answer for this type of stuff.

AgSilver

And so, it comes to pass - - -

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...ml#post4590151

seanol

I agree with ItalianJoe1 in that the Mercerdes tax is very high for what I get. I have better than average skills on equipment and if I could simply source a motor, replace brushes, true a commutator or reseal it would go a long way in enjoying my AMG.

I like working on my vehicles. I do not like anyone else working on them. No one will take care of the work like I will. Exploring and figuring out ways to DIY these systems will help extend ownership. Keeping everything dealer only or shrouded in mystery will reduce it.

DIY also helps the aftermarket. With people working on their cars we can get lower prices on individual parts instead of assemblies.

To think that the factory or independent is the only one that can repair or produce a part makes little sense. One man made it, another can take it apart, repair it, or rebuild it.

There are things to be cautious with such as brakes. Take your time and test properly and there should be no issues. I remember going from drums to disks and all the warnings given back then.

carguyshu

new SBC units are no longer available from MB and haven't been for awhile. The only thing you can order from a dealer now is the rebuilt unit (unless you get lucky and find one that has some new old stock on the shelf).

You might be able to replace the brushes in the motor, but the rebuilt units also come with a new accumulator that runs about $200, making the rebuilt SBC unit only $600 (if you rebuilt one yourself you would for sure want to replace the accumulator as part of the rebuild).

My SBC is on its way out and not only has there been a end of service life warning in the dash (which I temporarily reset), but also all sorts of voltage code problems that are coming up from time to time when you run a STAR scan on it (note: these other problem codes an average person wouldn't know about as the dash would not warm them). I'm not sure if just replacing the brushes would solve these other voltage problems or not. Since I don't know Russian I can't tell exactly what they did besides change out the brushes and/or if this alone would fix the voltage code problems I have been seeing in STAR on my worn out SBC.

I imagine as part of the rebuild process they don't just replace the motor and accumulator, but also test or rebuild the valves inside.

rog2961

Given that the only units are only rebuilt now, how do people think these units are being rebuilt? I would assume the voltage issues comes from worn out brushes. For a couple bucks, whats the harm in trying? The accumulator can be had for areound $121 on parts geek. Could be talking about $150 for rebuild vs $600 with a rebuilt unit that has new solenoids. I believe the solenoids are the only ones that havent been sourced.

rog2961

Cl600 came with sbc

carguyshu

I'm also getting codes related to the solenoids, which again, anyone without a STAR tool would not know existed. If someone just DIYd the SBC rebuild and didn't have a STAR tool to verify that there are no faults or problems it could be one of those penny wise dollar foolish type of moves.

rog2961

Agreed, diagnostics should always be ran before any work is done. Im curious what type of solenoid faults is it giving? Could be as simple as replacing the bad solenoid(s)

Shifter

negative

carguyshu

With a STAR you can look at all of the possible fault codes that can show up as well as all of the various possible diagnostic procedures.

Masri87

I have to disagree... there's actually no sense for it to cost 800$. This is just absurd pricing. how is it justified? how much do the parts itself cost to manufacture?

in other news
BBAReman should be hit up to find out if they're willing to take up remanufacturing SBC units.. has anyone tried?
They do all BOSCH ABS units so i figure why not?

Max.H

I knew they had to have some emergency silver bullet in case the SBC fails.

Could you give some details about how it works. What do you mean manual/emergency?

kleeb55

It's basically like having no hydraulic power assisted brakes, your leg muscles are basically stopping the 4000+ pound vehicle. Just like if the master cylinder/brake booster would go out in other brake systems. The less the brakes are assisted the more leg power you need, obviously till it gets to a point where it might feel impossible, but the car will eventually brake(hopefully that doesn't happen in the event of an emergency).

rog2961

They do its listed under ebc

verlin samonte

diy'ed, followed this tutorial . around 120$ parts and material

E55Greasemonkey

In the U.S it's now covered (free) under a 25 year extended warranty by MB.