samvel1981

how can i find out if i have Active Body Control or not on 2000 s430 and whot is the abc any whay (new in w220 ) more w124,w210 guy match sampler
pleas help
and i need strut repear kit and are they difirent with abc and with out abc ?

thenks

Oxygen

Active Body Control, or ABC, is the Mercedes-Benz brand name used to describe fully-active suspension, that allows control of the vehicle body motions and therefore virtually eliminates body roll in many driving situations including cornering, accelerating, and braking. The system operates at around 3000psi using Pentosin CHF 11S Hydraulic Oil.

In the ABC system, a computer detects body movement from sensors located throughout the vehicle, and controls the action of the active suspension with the use of hydraulic servomechanisms. The hydraulic pressure to the servos is supplied by a high pressure radial piston hydraulic pump. A total of thirteen sensors continually monitor body movement and vehicle level and supply the ABC controller with new data every ten milliseconds. Four level sensors, one at each wheel measure the ride level of the vehicle, 3 accelerometers measure the vertical body acceleration, one acceleration sensor measures the longitudinal and one sensor the transverse body acceleration.

At each hydraulic cylinder a pressure sensor monitors the hydraulic pressure. As the ABC controller receives and processes data, it operates four hydraulic servos, each mounted in series on a spring strut, beside each wheel. Almost instantaneously, the servo regulated suspension generates counter forces to body lean, dive, and squat during various driving maneuvers. A suspension strut, consisting of a steel coil spring and a shock absorber are connected in parallel, as well as a hydraulically controlled adjusting cylinder, are located between the vehicle body and wheel. These components adjust the cylinder in the direction of the suspension strut, and change the suspension length. This creates a force which acts on the suspension and dampening of the vehicle in the frequency range up to five hertz.

The system also incorporates height adjustable suspension, which in this case lowers the vehicle up to eleven millimeters between the speeds of 60 km/h (37 mph) and 160 km/h (99 mph) for better aerodynamics, fuel consumption, and handling.

The ABC system also allows self-levelling suspension, which raises or lowers the vehicle in response to changing load (i.e. the loading or unloading of passengers or cargo). Each vehicle equipped with ABC has an “ABC Sport” button that allows the driver to adjust the suspension range for different driving style preferences. This feature allows the driver to adjust the suspension to maintain a more level ride in more demanding driving conditions. It was introduced in 1999 on the top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz CL-Class. This system is standard on all Mercedes-Benz SL and CL Class models and on some S-Class models sold in the U.S.

This system is much more complex and is very different from Airmatic.

Airmatic DC - air suspension, similar to the system fitted to the W211 E-Class, uses air springs and adaptive electronic control to sense road and driving conditions and produce a firm or soft ride. The air suspension is only available for the smaller engines up to S 500. The S 600 and S 65 AMG are equipped with an active suspension system called Active Body Control, which is based on steel springs.

If you have a button on your center console labeled "ABC Sport" then you have ABC. If you have a button that has a picture of a spring with arrows, this means you have Airmatic.

There are no repair kits for ABC Suspension.

Reckless

Oxygen: Thanks for explaining ABC system, very informative.... I am having trouble trusting the car when doing high speed cuts with the ABC turned on (or off). It's hard as it feels like the car has alot of body roll in it. How do you adjust the suspension range with ABC Sport? I want to get the car as low to the ground as I can.

BTW, I need more stopping power... I can get up to 120 in a heartbeat but not sure if it can stop before I slam into the guy in front of me. Any suggestions? I need to change front brakes in 5k miles.

Oxygen

Huh?

You don't trust the car when doing high speed cuts? I'm not sure what you mean... like turning when you are going fast?

What don't you trust? My car feels SOLID and practically flat when cornering. Turning off ABC Sport allows for some body roll, but it still feels very much in control.

If by "suspension range" you mean the height of the car, there are many methods for lowering the W220.

-Washers
-Adjustable Links
-Electronic Lowering Module (Brabus, RENNtech, etc...)

I have no idea what car you drive...

You can go with AMG brakes or Brembo GT brakes if you want.

I put in AMG/Brembo 8 Piston Calipers with 390mm multi-piece floating drilled/slotted rotors on my S600 this summer...

samvel1981

thenk's guys

Reckless

Oxygen: I was talking more about dancing on the highway and pulling cut after cut going at high speeds... not sure if the back end will keep up with me. I think its the air ride thats screwing with me... I'm still new to it. I've coming to the 600TT after driving 4 bmws and 2 W140's. I haven't had a chance to really get crazy with the 600 yet with all the snow and ice in Chicago so my confidence isn't there yet.

How much did the AMG brake kit set you back? I had the Brembo GT kit on my 750iL and was not overly impressed with it.

whoover

ABC is not an air suspension. It's fully hydraulic. The switch doesn't do much -- you can't turn ABC "off." All it does is make a small calibration adjustment. If you have significant body roll, you should get it checked. ABC flattens out the roll very significantly. You might want to look at tires and wheels as well. I don't know what you have, but the stock 19s on the S65 make the car very secure at any speed.

Those S65 brakes are a major improvement. I have hauled down from 150 very quickly a few times, and the feeling is amazing.

Oxygen

The whole kit will be more than $4,000 - you need about $3,500 for the calipers and the rotors, then you need the AMG spindles, dust plates, etc... I also went with stainless steel braided brake lines.

Stopping power is godlike. It will pull your ****ing face off!

Reckless

Did you do any research on the other brake packages? Renntech? Brembo?

whoover

The S65 brakes are made by Brembo. They are the biggest that will fit a 19" wheel. RennTech has larger brakes for the W220 but they require 20s. Even for an S65, the difference between 390 mm 8-piston brakes and 410 mm 8-piston brakes is theoretical anyway.

Reckless

Will the S65 brake's fit on 18s?

whoover

No. You need 19s to clear them.

Reckless

Dang, I just bought my snow tires today.