2003 SL500 Front End Raised

[TeflonDon]

Hello, I hope everyone’s doing well and staying healthy.

My father bought this car for himself. It’s the first car he’s ever bought to enjoy after 50 years of working. It has 65k miles. It drives great. He had few things done and got new wheels. I noticed the front of the car is high. I tried adjusting the abc settings and the rear lowers than raises but the front barely lowers and barely raises. It seems like there could be some type of sensor issue, granted I’m not a car guy at all. I’m a computer network administrator but I do my due diligence and can get somewhat familiar.

First time ever being in a Mercedes, it really is a spectacular machine. The hard top mechanics alone during the raising and lowering of the convertible are mesmerizing to me. But as I’ve researched more, I’ve had more instances of dread come over me as I read abc horror stories. My father is stubborn, and older. He’s an ideal candidate to fall into a black hole of money spent on something like this. I will link photos of the vehicle height.

I just want to add that we are decent people. We work hard, try to do the right thing and are frugal. My father got the vehicle for $7k originally, that’s what he told me. I am very grateful for any replies. I value your time spent helping me. Photos show the vehicle a few minutes after a short drive with the abc sport mode light on, and both lights on for the front and rear abc button.

 

[00slk]

I am not an expert though I have heard that can be caused by a sphere seizing.
It is best to get the car read via a good diagnostic's scanner as these are very complicated cars especially around the suspension system. Sorry I can't be of any more help.

 

[peterws1957]

Yep that front is way too high. I'm actually surprised that the system allows the vehicle to be raised that much. Height sensor at fault? Could be the photos but the wheels look bigger diameter than original - could this affect the ABC system? As OOslk says you really need to take the car to someone who is familiar with this suspension system and has Star to diagnose. I guess you're in the States, otherwise someone on here could have given you details of someone local.

 

[drmw]

The middle picture showing the strut etc - it does look like there has been some suspension work done, so that would tend to say something in the set up could be wrong. 19" wheels are ok, but as before, you should take it to an independent dealer to see what has been done. It could be straightforward (particularly if things have been messed about). An indy will have STAR (MBs own variety of diagnostic) and a rodeo (hard to explain but runs each suspension corner individually) to sort out & clear air in the fluid. Do check below where the car is sitting - check for fluid - but it is less likely when the car is up, rather than down

 

[LostKiwi]

I am not an expert though I have heard that can be caused by a sphere seizing.
It is best to get the car read via a good diagnostic's scanner as these are very complicated cars especially around the suspension system. Sorry I can't be of any more help.

Can't be a sphere seizing - there are no moving parts. It's nothing more than a steel ball filled with nitrogen with a rubber diaphragm to seal it all in.
A failed sphere will give a hard ride as the sphere provides the springing for the suspension on that axle.

Height sensor at fault? Could be the photos but the wheels look bigger diameter than original - could this affect the ABC system?

A failed height sensor would post a warning on the dash along with that lively 'bing' sound 230s like to make.
Wheel sizes won't upset the ABC - ride height is measured during setup from ground to wheelarch (70cm).

I'm wondering if someone has been tinkering in Star and incorrectly set the base parameters.

To set it up requires a perfectly level platform and Star. A number of parameters need to be set correctly and adaptations run for it to function as it should.

 

[00slk]

Can't be a sphere seizing - there are no moving parts. It's nothing more than a steel ball filled with nitrogen with a rubber diaphragm to seal it all in.
A failed sphere will give a hard ride as the sphere provides the springing for the suspension on that axle.




A failed height sensor would post a warning on the dash along with that lively 'bing' sound 230s like to make.
Wheel sizes won't upset the ABC - ride height is measured during setup from ground to wheelarch (70cm).

I'm wondering if someone has been tinkering in Star and incorrectly set the base parameters.

To set it up requires a perfectly level platform and Star. A number of parameters need to be set correctly and adaptations run for it to function as it should.

Oh der, yes you're right LK, I now remember when the sphere went on my Bentley, it rode like it was on 4x2

 

[SL63 Mark]

Sounds like valve block issues. The valve blocks split the pressure between front and rear, and side to side. They get blocked with crud.

Needs a good flush, fluid change and ride on Star rodeo. Take to a good independent specialist with Star who can diagnose and fix.

 

[LostKiwi]

Sounds like valve block issues. The valve blocks split the pressure between front and rear, and side to side. They get blocked with crud.

Needs a good flush, fluid change and ride on Star rodeo. Take to a good independent specialist with Star who can diagnose and fix.

I did think of that but I would think a valve block would throw an error as the ride height sensor wouldn't change value as expected. The other possibility is the sensors on both front arms are set incorrectly.

Only way to know is to check on star.

 

[SL63 Mark]

When my left rear corner sagged, it was fixed by a flush and fluid change. No error messages were thrown. Occasionally I get an abc warning "car too low" if it is left for several weeks. This disappears as soon as the car moves. So I am not sure the ABC warnings are that accurate, sophisticated or specific.

As you say, we are just guessing until it goes on Star.

 

[00slk]

On our first r230 the right rear suspension would rise when the car was stationary sometimes only seconds after switching off. We had it on Star and there were no faults with the ABC. We had it flushed and still had the same reaction. One Indy said that it was the near side front sagging but when it went in they would discover that it was indeed the off side rear rising. As there were no faults that could be found it was not investigated further. It immediately drops to normal level once it was started though it never raised to the same height all the time It did that until that kind lady wrote the car off for us and to this day it most likely still rises its off side rear. We used to notice it more when you were filling with fuel and the car would rise on the rear corner.

 

[SL63 Mark]

On our first r230 the right rear suspension would rise when the car was stationary sometimes only seconds after switching off. We had it on Star and there were no faults with the ABC. We had it flushed and still had the same reaction. One Indy said that it was the near side front sagging but when it went in they would discover that it was indeed the off side rear rising. As there were no faults that could be found it was not investigated further. It immediately drops to normal level once it was started though it never raised to the same height all the time It did that until that kind lady wrote the car off for us and to this day it most likely still rises its off side rear. We used to notice it more when you were filling with fuel and the car would rise on the rear corner.

Ah that's why we love them. You can't say they don't have character.

 

[Wighty]

Has Dad got a used car warranty from the dealer , if you just bought it ?

 

[alexanderfoti]

Are There any messages on the dash at all?