"JGrabowMSt" (jgrabowmst)
09/20/2015 at 20:51 • Filed to: SL600Sport
7
13|
"JGrabowMSt" (jgrabowmst)
09/20/2015 at 20:51 • Filed to: SL600Sport | 7
| 13 |
Step inside for another installment of working on a car that is often mistaken for being out of my budget.
So here’s my slow progression to getting all of those warning lights to turn off, I’ve also managed to roll the odometer over to 110,000. Oil change time in a few days hopefully. I’m not pushing it, but the car certainly could use it soon.
The most important update? That ADS light to the left of the ESP light. It’s off. Finally. It’s not 100% fixed, but it’s certainly on the right track. I had the car apart to check the filters and do a full wash + detail and I got caught up before I had a chance to do the interior. I have to order 3 new filters (cabin + 2 intake), but I decided to take a second look at the hydraulic fluid reservoir. Well, there was a tiny little bit of fluid in it. By a tiny little bit, I mean the system had fluid. It would sometimes function correctly, but usually the ADS light would come on.
So I had a few quarts of fluid in the trunk (I collected enough fluid to flush the entire system and have some extra just in case). I decided, cheapest thing I can do is put 1qt and see what happens. Well, system kept the fluid. Shocker.
So what does this mean? It means I need to replace the rear accumulators for the hydraulic suspension. From what I’ve read, there’s no accumulators for the fronts. This means maybe a few hundred and the ADS system will be fully functional and work more efficiently again. I cannot wait. Once I get a few chips out of the glass and I sort out the paint work, she’ll be proud as can be. I’d call it a light restoration, but much needed. Hopefully when I finish this car, I’ll have more space and I’ll be able to get another project. Like hell would I give this car up.
I’ll be doing the ADS system and then installing a wavetrac and 3.06 gears in the HEMIWagon. One thing at a time, right? Money in, money out. Large number of smiles per mile regardless of which one I drive. All that counts, no?
PS9
> JGrabowMSt
09/20/2015 at 20:55 |
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They forgot the decimals. 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and finally 3.0.
Agrajag
> JGrabowMSt
09/20/2015 at 21:02 |
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You ever get around to fixing your headlight or is the zip tie army still holding strong?
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JGrabowMSt
> Agrajag
09/20/2015 at 21:06 |
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Zip tie army on both sides. The passenger side broke a couple of months ago. I’ll take care of both of them when I get to the trim pieces. Turn signals are approximately $90 each up front, and I have to do bulbs in the rear lights as well. They function still, so I just deal.
V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
> JGrabowMSt
09/20/2015 at 22:14 |
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You're lucky you don't have abc ;)
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JGrabowMSt
> V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
09/20/2015 at 22:57 |
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Oddly enough, I dont think so. The ADS struts are $1500 each, plus labor, then factoring in the accumulators and the weird power steering/ADS fluid pump, and if it ever runs without fluid youre in very very deep.
The ABC sounds pretty nice in comparison. I know it has its own problems, but I dont personally think it is worse than the hydraulic ADS.
AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
09/21/2015 at 01:58 |
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They’re basically the same system. ADS is just the predecessor to ABC. Lots of similar costs and problems.
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AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> JGrabowMSt
09/21/2015 at 02:01 |
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I agree with you. Only because ABC is newer. They’re basically the same system otherwise though; similar pump, strut and accumulator designs. ADS is just the predecessor to ABC.
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V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
> AMGtech - now with more recalls!
09/21/2015 at 09:00 |
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Good too know.
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JGrabowMSt
> AMGtech - now with more recalls!
09/21/2015 at 10:49 |
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You wouldn’t by chance be able to verify that I only have rear accumulators for the ADS, would you? 97 SL600 Sport, obviously.
Also, unrelated, but probably a question for someone else...Have you ever dealt with the Classic Center? I tried to register when I titled the car, but haven’t gotten anything back. I was told by a regional product manager they would probably be the final word as far as trying to get production numbers for it....
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AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> JGrabowMSt
09/21/2015 at 23:52 |
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I could and I will try to remember tomorrow.
No I haven’t. Closest I’ve gotten to dealing with the classic center is having an instructor who used to work there.
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AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> JGrabowMSt
09/22/2015 at 12:05 |
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According to everything I see, you should have 4 accumulators. The fronts should be behind the rear area of the front fender liners, one on each side.
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JGrabowMSt
> AMGtech - now with more recalls!
09/22/2015 at 13:24 |
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Okay, thanks for that. Ill have it up on a lift in a few days for an oil change, we’ll see what the access is like, Ill probably replace all 4 if thats the case. Front works normally, its the rear that makes a quiet creaking noise sometimes. Hoping it fixes everything, I think it will.
Sure beats any of the far more expensive alternatives.
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AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> JGrabowMSt
09/22/2015 at 15:58 |
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You can always measure their diaphragm depths compared to a new one. If it’s deeper it’s bad. You have to take them off to do that, pretty easy though.
Are you sure the noise isn’t from a bushing or joint? Usually bad accumulators cause a groaning pump type noise. Either way, I hope you find it and it’s cheap!