I recently replaced the front suspension on the R129 SL500. Last night I was driving and noticed that the xenons were both pointing down limiting the projection distance. Previously, the lights would do their startup dance, but not anymore.

I was wondering if I messed up the leveling apparatus on the sway bar but when I checked just now, the arms were still connected. Is the leveling arm supposed to move at startup when turning on the lights?

I removed both the headlight housings and I can hear the leveling servos do their thing at startup, but the lights don't move up and down. Any ideas how to repair?

Guessing the leveling motor in the headlamp? Something like this: https://www.ebay.com/p/1pc-Original-HELLA-Xenon-Headlight-Leveling-Aiming-Motor-Level-Aim-Actuator/656703180

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Prost!

My 97 SL320 has the same system. What all did you take apart / change on the front suspension? Please be specific.

It is doubtful that both servos would fail during an unrelated repair, be sure to diagnose not randomly change parts.

Attached to the front sway bar there is linkage to a body mounted level sensor. Disconnect the linkage, put the arm in mid stroke then turn the lights on. Move the arm up about 1/2 " and the lights should move.

There is also a sensor on one of the rear lower control arms, make sure that didn't come off when lifting the car.

I don't have the procedure for adjusting this linkage. I do know there is a trim adjustment on the headlights but don't touch that, we need to fix what was altered during the suspension repair.

Front suspension:

Control arms, sway bar bushings, struts, strut mounts, toe links, drag link, steering dampener.

Thanks for the tip about the sway bar leveling arm. Turns out it was in the wrong orientation and I managed to get it back in the proper spot. Took some photos before I started a couple weeks ago so I was able to dial in the correct angle. I bet it happened when I was changing out the sway bar bushings and was having a tough time realigning the sway bar brackets to the control arm.