500E self-leveling suspension

[tom woolner]

Is it possible to by-pass the self-leveling aspect of the rear suspension and install normal shocks? If so, what are the ramfications?
TIA
Tom

[run.exe]

Tom:

One of my former techs, Steve Smith (Autobahn Motors), defeated my rear suspension's self-leveling feature by changing the (programmed) default height (and adjusting something else, mechanically).

He had to call AMG to ask how to do it; they faxed him instructions. I can try to obtain them, if you like. Shall I?

RSVP,

[tom woolner]

What impact did it have on your handling? I'm negotiating with someone who has been reconditioning a 500E before he will sell it, but he is balking at this last item, the rear shocks, which he says need replacing. He is willing to replace them with ordinary shocks, but does not want to spend the money to do it correctly. I'm not sure that the car will be worth the the asking price, once it is adjusted for new self-leveling shocks.
So, does this car use both hydrpneumatic shocks AND hydropneumatic struts? What's the cost per corner?
TIA
Tom

[Michael]

There's a hrydro strut and a nitrogen cell/accumulator at each wheel. The struts go for about $400 each.

[tom woolner]

Scott, I would really appreciate that information. Again, what was the impact on handling, etc.?
Michael, let me get this straight. INSTEAD of rear shocks, there is a pnuematic strut and a nitrogen cell on each side? Please forgive my endless questions. I am trying to find the right car that I can afford that will be the least expensive to maintain.
TIA
Tom

[Michael]

There is a component that looks like a shock absorber back there on each side that we generally refer to as a hydro-strut. In addition, any car with self-leveling also has a Nitrogen-filled, damper cell that looks like a metal baseball attached to it.

[walker4953]

Tom,
I have unsucessfully tried it. I ended up back to stock with new shocks & accumulators (Thanks Phil @ Fastlane) I lost one rear shock & decided to give it a go. I went with with Bilstein Sports (my shock of choice for years) all the way around. One BIG problem. The rear hydralics DO support some (actually, quite a bit) of the car's rear end. Don't let anybody tell you that the hydralics are strictly for leveling. I can tell you firsthand that is incorrect. I had H&R springs already when I started this. After the disable, the car was in the weeds in the back (-3.9 degrees of camber, NOT good for tires) A KMAC camber kit & the stock rear springs got me down to about 2 degrees negative with the Bilsteins. Still too low & too much negative. I have gone back to the hydralics with the H&R springs. With the KMAC kit, my camber is back in the reasonable range. I have Rick @ RC Imports working on camber plates for the front to solve the camber problem there. I can tell you after numerous spring swaps, spring isolator swaps, shock swaps & alignments, STICK WITH THE HYDRALICS. Learn from my mistakes & save yourself the frustration & a wad of cash. Good Luck!
Jay