W129 500sl suspension "like a rock"

[millspeed88]

Hi all. I have a 1991 500sl that appears to have NO suspension at all (except for the tyre sidewalls!) I have played with the suspension button for soft / hard ride and also the level button and they do absolutely zero. I have stopped driving the damn thing now as it is hurting my head when it hits the roof of the car!! The level seems ok but I did have to top it up recently. I was thinking that it maybe needed to be bled or something? I have heard a lot about this type of suspension with all sorts of worrying stories. If 1 of the spheres was to fail, would it give this fault on the rest of the car? I would really welcome any advise that you guys could give.
Best Regards
Steve Miller

 

[television]

Hi Steve, its best if you can find someone that understands ADS Maybe a Citroen specialist where in the UK are you

 

[millspeed88]

Hi Television. I am In Wiltshire. I have just had a second good look at the car and I cannot see any spheres on the suspension. Is this a sphere car or does it have a different set up. Its a 1991 with a level button next to the light switch, and on the centre console there is a button with a pic of a shocker.

 

[stats007]

You have ADS 1 and it sounds like it has been locked (you do this when putting the car on a ramp for example). Will it unlock manually? If not there is obviously a hydraulic or ECU fault.

 

[millspeed88]

Hi stats, and thanks for your reply. I forgot to mention that about 4 months ago just after I got it, the back end of the car raised itself to about 8 inches above the tyres. It was a broken arm on a valve at the back axle that controls raising and lowering of the car. It did only raise up at the back and not at the front. How would I go about manually unlocking the sytem?
Regards
Steve

 

[star]

definately sounds like the spheres have gone awol.

 

[millspeed88]

Thanks for that star. I did have a look for spheres yesterday but I could not see any. There is a post above that says I have ADS 1. Does that system have spheres? I dont know.....

 

[television]

Most of it is shown here, I do not think that it is a sphere, still thats only my view

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb1.asp?TP=1&F=129066&M=119.960&GA=722.353&CT=F&Cat=515&SID=32

 

[gfern]

Hi Steve, its best if you can find someone that understands ADS Maybe a Citroen specialist where in the UK are you

Thats the best advice already from Malcom, do a search "ADS" there is some info there but you need to know what you are about if you are trying to diagnose yourself. It could be the spheres but it could also be several other things you need to find someone who understands this system, it is not easy.

 

[millspeed88]

Thanks very much lads. I see from the russian pics that there may be spheres that are remote from the strut assembly. I will go forth....More later.
Regards
Steve

 

[star]

Thanks for that star. I did have a look for spheres yesterday but I could not see any. There is a post above that says I have ADS 1. Does that system have spheres? I dont know.....

The spheres are remote from the dampers, if you have a hard setting/switch it def has spheres.

 

[millspeed88]

Thanks for the reply star. I am trying to find a decent indie merc garage in wiltshire to see if they can read fault codes. Do you think I would be wasting my time? Oh and I have just read 70 + replies to one original post on this very forum relating to this subject. I think it's one of the most memorable posts I have ever read on any forum anywhere. Can you guess which one it was??
Regards
Steve

 

[stumpy]

My indie was advising me recently about buying a car equiped with ADS. He has seen a couple of faults and fixed them both. Problem is, he is in Weybridge , Surrey - quite a hike for you. Still, it may be worth a call to him to ask his opinion. pm me and I will give you his details.

 

[stats007]

Is that SS Motors?

 

[stumpy]

Yup, it is

 

[television]

It must be worth the drive if the guy knows what he is doing

 

[millspeed88]

Thanks lads. I would like to speak to him. I will try and PM you but if it does not work then I will re-post.
Regards
Steve

 

[stats007]

Joe at SS Motors knows the older SLs pretty much inside out - he used to look after my '72 R107 350SL.

£45 an hour + VAT from memory. His son Carlos is also good.

You might find he's very busy however.

S.S. Motors.
16c Hanwell Lane,
Weybridge Business Park,
Weybridge,
Surrey
KT15 2SD,

tel: 01932 821555

 

[millspeed88]

Your a gent Stats, I have just this second phoned and spoken to a lady (wife maybe) to find out that he IS busy at this time. I am gonna call him in the morning.
Thanks for your reply
Regards
Steve Miller

 

[stumpy]

That may be Justine the receptionist. Normally I just turn up there, but that's a bit tricky for you.