ABC Struts

[television]

Alex mentioned that there could be a good business on fixing these things.

Just checking on WIS and most of the parts are sold separately including the shock absorbers that leak. I cannot find info on the sensor that has failed on mine,,but it must be available as a spare part

 

[television]

This is all a bit sad,,all of the components in the struts in a 215 211 and 230 have part numbers of all of the parts, including the only jig required to dismantle them, but they are not sold,, meaning that we all have to pay over £1k for these things, where as the shock absorber would only cost a fraction of that, it is this part that leaks and the only main fault.

 

[Cole@MBS]

It is a shame sir, but they look at it like this, why sell a 10 pence seal when you can make a £1000 on a leg!!

 

[television]

But the amount failing they must be making a bomb

 

[Cole@MBS]

Hence not selling a seal kit!!

Couple of the dealer boys are using the workshop tonight!!

They have 3 yes, THREE!!! legs to fit tonight!!!

 

[television]

Hence not selling a seal kit!!

Couple of the dealer boys are using the workshop tonight!!

They have 3 yes, THREE!!! legs to fit tonight!!!

I should have slipped mine in when they were not looking

 

[Cole@MBS]

All 3 on the same car Malc!

 

[television]

All 3 on the same car Malc!

So I am not alone then that makes me feel better

 

[turbopete]

surely if the parts are listed, someone (maybe not MB but their suppliers) must supply them, otherwise surely they wouldnt be listed?

 

[dewimerc]

Is replacing the hydraulic struts a difficult job?

Are special tools required?

Any advice on the work involved would be appreciated.

 

[television]

There is a makers name,,but I cannot identify it

 

[turbopete]

Is replacing the hydraulic struts a difficult job?

Are special tools required?

Any advice on the work involved would be appreciated.

just the price, for the ABC struts. £1k EACH!!!

 

[turbopete]

There is a makers name,,but I cannot identify it

do you have a link for them or are you looking on other sources?

 

[television]

do you have a link for them or are you looking on other sources?

Other sources that I cannot print

 

[turbopete]

Other sources that I cannot print

not to worry. there was a (german, IIRC) company made lots of the special tooling (we never had!) for ford. trying to remember the name, and i thought it may be the same firm. thought if you had a link it may have jogged my memory if i caould see it

 

[television]

Is replacing the hydraulic struts a difficult job?

Are special tools required?

Any advice on the work involved would be appreciated.

The front is not too bad but the rear , the boot has to be gutted and the exhaust off,, the car must be lifted so that all of the wheels hang down.

It does depend on the car

 

[meanie]

These things are winding me up too, & I don't even own one!
Example: Have a CL 500 in London which I look after. Last year it failed the MOT on a leaking strutt at the rear (£1000). This year it had an A service at a stealer in the smoke as I was working in Holland for a while. Owner mentioned that just once it had failed to rise properly & they came back to him saying that it needed a new front leg (not leaking, so I would assume that it was the sensor that you referred to Malcolm). The owner left it for the time being on the basis that it had only happened once.
So last week he dropped it off for an MOT & new poly belt that the dealer had mentioned. Straight through the MOT. Lifted the bonnet, replaced poly belt (5 mins, no need to lift the car or anything) & fired it up. The car then dropped on the nearside!!!
I ran the switch through the 3 ride settings & all is well again! Had it hooked into Star at the dealer who came back with no faults stored or present.
We never had this much trouble with the old 6.9s, what on earth is going on with Mercedes?!

 

[television]

As I see it now on owning an SL if you buy just 4 struts and the boot rubbers,and in a few SAM units and you have paid 25% of the build cost, they can never become a great classic

 

[meanie]

Couldn't agree more!!
As someone who grew up with Mercedes, the modern Mercedes cars & company ethos saddens me.
Whilst you cannot hold back progress, it should not be at the expense of the customer. In times of old people bought a Merc because they knew that it would give them years of solid & mostly trouble free service, whilst hanging on to its value like no other car would. If they wanted the toys, they ticked the boxes & payed extra.
I have a customer with an S500 & a CLK270 who is so disheartened. They have only owned Mercs since the '70s. His comment to me the other day whilst getting a warranty claim sorted for rust was "If I'd wanted a BMW then I'd buy one"!
On the plus side, this has made him long for the Mercedes of old so much that we've just sourced him a mint 280te (W123 series) for £5200, which he will be collecting next week.

 

[television]

Tu use Blobcats phrase "to clever for their own good" sums it up nicely the rust and the EIS system that are failing will soon make it that no one will want to steal an MB, then they will leave all of the clever bits off, use a good quality steel, and the cycle can begin all over again