SL55 ABC Suspension Issue

BRABUS R230

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Hi All- more car issues. :Oops: :mad::(

My car has been at the garage recently having some work done which required all for wheels to be off the ground, after picking up the car and driving a short distance I was waiting at the traffic lights and all of a sudden my car started to do a brief "Rodeo" (Body roll side to side) :(:(

I thought that because all 4 wheels had previously been of the ground while the work was carried out (replacing alternator) so I put that down to the ABC stabling things. :neutral:

...but after a while it happened again. I have also noticed that at times (over night) the NS/F appears to be slightly lower, but as soon as the car is started the body levels out. :confused::(


I have not noticed any ABC leaks at all, all the struts seem to be dry!

Star error "Critical vehicle level" T1525-001 my independent suspects that its the front axel levelling valve which they believe is not serviceable and would need to be replaced.
Is there a repair kit available for this...or could it be an issue elsewhere? :confused:
 

television

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It must be a valve block issue, I know that Colin has removed a few and cleaned them thoroughly and they have been fine.

The cars a dead easy to re fill and bleed, it needs the wheels hanging down and a vent bleed valve for each wheel. I would do this first for the sake of a few bottles of fluid.

The idea of the Rodeo test on STAR is to warm the fluid up to help venting
 

SL63 Mark

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As Malcolm says, these valve blocks are servicable, there's a useful DIY showing how to do it on YouTube. If your indie won't do it, suggest you find another, perhaps a Merc specialist ?
 

television

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The only snag is which one as there are 5 of them, as the car was fine before I would have operated the height button 10 times and see what happens.
 

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Hi. I've got a valve block strip and clean planned due to a sinking strut on an R230 SL. The youtube video is very good and shows the whole process.

From my past experience with industrial hydraulics just keep a note of where everything goes during dismantling and keep everything scrupulously clean. Clean the block and surrounding pipework before any dismantling starts to avoid getting a muck in the pipes.

Theres a write up in the DIY section on sealing washer replacement so its worth replacing all the washers while you've the block apart.
 
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BRABUS R230

BRABUS R230

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television

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The valve block in the link is the one for all 4 wheels, it also handles the temp of the fluid and the return to tank.
 
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BRABUS R230

BRABUS R230

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The valve block in the link is the one for all 4 wheels, it also handles the temp of the fluid and the return to tank.

is that not where my issue is/could be?
 

television

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Yes if the whole car has been doing funny things, the other 4 blocks are one for each wheel, so not them.

If you do go ahead with this main valve block, take care of the 2 sensors that screw in as they are not sold on their own anymore. You must replace the sealing washers with copper ones.

I would still raise and lower the car a few times first
 
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BRABUS R230

BRABUS R230

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Yes if the whole car has been doing funny things, the other 4 blocks are one for each wheel, so not them.

If you do go ahead with this main valve block, take care of the 2 sensors that screw in as they are not sold on their own anymore. You must replace the sealing washers with copper ones.

I would still raise and lower the car a few times first

Thanks Television.

I am only having an issue with the NS/F..
 

television

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Then the valve block behind the front wheel, not the strut:D
 

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The only snag is which one as there are 5 of them, as the car was fine before I would have operated the height button 10 times and see what happens.

Malcolm can you double check EPC, on the 230 I seem to recall there are 2 valve blocks, the main front block in the NSF wheelarch controlling the front wheels and front to rear balance, and the rear block in the NSR wheelarch, for the rear wheel balance only.

I did look into this, but happy to be proved wrong :)
 
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BRABUS R230

BRABUS R230

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ABC Option 1

I spoke to my Inde this morning and explained to them what was being suggested here.

...they suggested that I should flush the system with new oil and a new filter, carry out a rodeo, flush again with new oil and another filter, then rodeo again...

Seems like an idea!
 

television

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And I think that I said that somewhere on here, it does not take long
 
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BRABUS R230

BRABUS R230

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updates

Earlier today I took my car out from my garage, because the garage is so narrow I could not see if the ns/f was low, so i reversed i out then continued to press the ABC button to change the various levels of ride height settings, each time the car raised as it should but with the ns/f ever, ever so slightly lagging behind.

After doing this (raise and lower) around 20 times I left it at the highest setting, switched off the engine, then washed the car, after around 1 hour I started to the engine and continued to raise/lower the car, I noticed that the ns/f was no longer lagging (not sure if washing the car had anything to to with it performing correctly! Lol)

...or it its because the system has been running, perhaps the issue will come back over night.
I will keep an eye on it and let you know.
 

television

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Cycling it has probably cured it, see post 4
 

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