R129 SL500 ADS struts dampers

[wub]

I'm in the process of refurbing the whole ADS suspension on my sl500 1998. I need some replacement dampers and notice that genuine used parts have either the number 4, 5 or 6 in large green text on the damper. Does anyone know what this means? My car has number 5 on all the dampers and i've seen a front set for sale in good condition, but they have the number 6 on them. I am wondering if they are interchangeable or not as there are not many around, so not much to chose from.

Also i have replaced the accumulators and the main 3/16 pipe that feeds the back shocks, and stripped the whole thing down, so wondering, how i am going to get the air out the system, when i fire it all back up, as its a one way system, has no return and i cant really see how you would bleed it? Unless its just out of the upper most connection, ie top of the dampers?

 

[Blobcat]

@Richard Moakes

 

[LostKiwi]

I believe the system will self bleed over time as per the ABC system on r230s.
Cycle the system high to low several times and it will purge the air.

 

[Craiglxviii]

I'm in the process of refurbing the whole ADS suspension on my sl500 1998. I need some replacement dampers and notice that genuine used parts have either the number 4, 5 or 6 in large green text on the damper. Does anyone know what this means? My car has number 5 on all the dampers and i've seen a front set for sale in good condition, but they have the number 6 on them. I am wondering if they are interchangeable or not as there are not many around, so not much to chose from.

Also i have replaced the accumulators and the main 3/16 pipe that feeds the back shocks, and stripped the whole thing down, so wondering, how i am going to get the air out the system, when i fire it all back up, as its a one way system, has no return and i cant really see how you would bleed it? Unless its just out of the upper most connection, ie top of the dampers?

Do you have part numbers for the struts? I may be able to help.

 

[Richard Moakes]

I'm in the process of refurbing the whole ADS suspension on my sl500 1998. I need some replacement dampers and notice that genuine used parts have either the number 4, 5 or 6 in large green text on the damper. Does anyone know what this means? My car has number 5 on all the dampers and i've seen a front set for sale in good condition, but they have the number 6 on them. I am wondering if they are interchangeable or not as there are not many around, so not much to chose from.

Also i have replaced the accumulators and the main 3/16 pipe that feeds the back shocks, and stripped the whole thing down, so wondering, how i am going to get the air out the system, when i fire it all back up, as its a one way system, has no return and i cant really see how you would bleed it? Unless its just out of the upper most connection, ie top of the dampers?

Bleed the air at the banjo union connectors to the rear struts, no other way that I have found to do it, not replaced front struts so never had to deal with that.

I would go by part number for the struts themselves, I do not know what those large green numbers indicate.

Lots of great info here https://r129ads.freevar.com/index.html

 

[alexanderfoti]

I believe the system will self bleed over time as per the ABC system on r230s.
Cycle the system high to low several times and it will purge the air.

ABC doesn't self bleed, its quite easy to get air trapped in the ABC system and it can be a pain to get rid.

 

[Craiglxviii]

ABC doesn't self bleed, its quite easy to get air trapped in the ABC system and it can be a pain to get rid.

I thought it did too, bleeding out via the LP return into the header tank, hence the pinhole in the dipstick cap to allow pressure to equalise..?

 

[LostKiwi]

I'm sure I recall bleeding the 230 by doing a rodeo test.

 

[wub]

From what i can see, ADS 1 had a flow and return to and from the rear of the car, that i can see on this diagram.

My Car, ADS 11, has just one flow pipe, ( i can be certain of this as i have stripped the whole lot down) so there is no way i can see that it will "bleed itself" over time. I think this is why there is conflicting advise / opinion on bleeding these. I also dont have the manifold in the middle of the car, instead the solenoid distribution block, fight at the front of the right side of the car, on the chassis.

 

[wub]

Just noticed, for some reason the part numbers of struts i thought i posted are not here? so here they are again. rear 129 320 15 13, fronts A129 320 1813