SL500 R230 ABC servicing

Jason1000000

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Hi all.
I’ve got myself a great 2004 SL500 that does have an ABC problem with the front left dropping when the car is left unused for a few days. When I start/ move forward it pumps back up straight away though. Can anyone advise somewhere between South Wales - Bristol area that specialises in this sort of problem. Also looking to service / Minor paint/arches works. I’ve had the car for a year now and driven back and forth to Spain and it is fantastic!
 

McDonald

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Hi Jason, mine does that sometimes too, but I'm not sure it's a problem. There is a specialist Merc Indy in Bristol. He's a forum sponsor and enjoys a good reputation.
 

Flyinspanner

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Has the fluid & filter ever been changed? It may be dirt holding a valve open. If it’s a valve block the rebuild kits are around £80. Replaces all the o rings with Viton o rings and should be good to go. Do flush and filter same time.
 

Wighty

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Welcome buddy , sounds like a lovely car for that kind of journey, I’m envious (but not about the abc fault obviously )
 
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Jason1000000

Jason1000000

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Thanks everyone. I’ll give Steve a call. I also need help with the rear boot lid. Consistently drops on to my head when parked on an uphill gradient. I guess I need new gas struts.
 

JBell

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Thanks everyone. I’ll give Steve a call. I also need help with the rear boot lid. Consistently drops on to my head when parked on an uphill gradient. I guess I need new gas struts.

Or just park it the other way around ;);););)
 

Wighty

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Thanks everyone. I’ll give Steve a call. I also need help with the rear boot lid. Consistently drops on to my head when parked on an uphill gradient. I guess I need new gas struts.
MB aren’t badly priced for struts , but I bourght my CLK ones from a UK company called SGS , obviously cheaper than MB .
An Easy job , but boot lids are VERY heavy , so prop it up or get a helper
 

SL63 Mark

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Welcome and sorry to hear of your issues, however they are common and easily fixed.

1. Mine used to sag on the rear corner if left for a few days. Fluid flush and change fixed that.

2. Boot lid is very very heavy. Did I mention it is heavy. Scary heavy. Boot lid dampers need replacing every 5 or six years in my experience. This is an easy DIY. They usually start to sag in cold weather. You need to replace both, one won't do it, it will just fail quicker due to the weight. Did I mention the weight. A pair from MB recently was £80, IIRC. You need to ensure the lid is safely supported when replacing them.
 

SL63 Mark

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I think it is all the roof gubbins inside the lid. Lightweight they ain't.
 

Srdl

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Hi and welcome to the forum
 
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Jason1000000

Jason1000000

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Thanks! Just ordered them!
 

Philedge

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Unless theres a visible oil leak, then struts dropping is the lock solenoid leaking whilst the car is stood. The lock solenoid is a metal to metal seal so new seals wont fix it. Likely its a build up of crud on the sealing faces which may be cleared with a fluid change but may need the solenoid pulling from the block and cleaning. A decent merc specialist or hydrauluc shop should be able to do that for you if youre not into DIY.
 

00slk

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We had the same issue with the 500. Left for a couple of days it would sink, but come back to normal as soon as the car started. It was the front axle valve assembly. It was corroded. £906 sorted it :D
 

Flyinspanner

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[QUOTE="00slk, post: 1791513, £906 sorted it :D[/QUOTE]

WOW - it’s so much cheaper now! A rebuild kit is around £80 for DIY.
 

00slk

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[QUOTE="00slk, post: 1791513, £906 sorted it :D

WOW - it’s so much cheaper now! A rebuild kit is around £80 for DIY.[/QUOTE]

It was only last year this was repaired. The old unit had rust inside and the pressure from the rust expanding split the housing, a second hand one was sourced and reconditioned, even my wife thought it a bit expensive :eek:
 

Conor

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Hi Jason and very welcome to the forum.

That SL is lovely.. I have one too and really looking to flex it out this summer!

I'm surprised nobody asked you for some pics.. feel free to attach a pic so we can all have a goo :)

On the topic of ABC fluid -- i'll be doing mine this summer.

I see it is now called "Fuchs Titan CHF 11S" -- In case some people are confused.. A lot of older posts refer to "Pentosin", which was acquired by Fuchs in 2015.

This stuff is expensive... It will probably be the single most expensive service I ever need to get for my cars. I am going to open up another thread about a possible group buy.
 

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