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Mercedes’ CL 500 was a watershed vehicle for the German automaker. Not only was the car enormously popular in Europe and North America, it helped introduce several of its now-standard technological innovations — one of them being the Active Body Control (ABC) system. However, Mercedes CL500 suspension problems are one of the few drawbacks to this otherwise legendary vehicle.
In this article, we cover how to spot signs of a failing ABC system in your CL500 and the options you have for fixing them. You’ll also learn which of those options might be the best one for you and your Benz.
What Is the Mercedes CL500 Active Body Control System?
The Active Body Control system uses four hydraulic suspension rams that use three pressure regulators. These regulators are connected to a combination power steering and suspension pump. The pump pushes fluid at a pressure of 2,960 psi (20,400 kPa) through the system. This fluid is regulated by several intermediate computers and a master CPU.
The fluid pushed through the system is what creates resistance in the struts and keeps the vehicle at the proper ride height. This resistance is also what provides damping power, absorbing feedback from the road and keeping the vehicle level through corners.
As a result, the ABC system provides a smooth, comfortable ride and the performance one expects from a Benz. that is, until the CL 500 suspension problems start to appear.
Common Signs of CL500 Suspension Problems
Like any active suspension, the CL500’s Active Body Control (ABC) is comprised of a network of moving parts, sensors and computers. And like any active suspension, this cluster of components is destined for eventual failure.
The CL500 has a red “ABC” warning light that will come on when the system detects a fault in the suspension. But there are signs of a failing suspension that may appear before that happens.
These can include:
Sagging rear end
Nose diving when braking
Noisy air compressor
Bouncy “settling” feeling when coming to a stop
Body sway when turning
“Drifty” feeling when steering
Just like its air-powered counterparts, Mercedes’ ABC technology from this time eventually let owners (and the cars themselves!) down. This left CL 500 owners with a choice on how to proceed. The question is whether to repair the current system, replace components with OEM parts, or convert the car to a simpler, more robust suspension kit. Let’s explore those options.
Repairing Mercedes CL500 Suspension
As mentioned earlier, the Mercedes CL 500’s ABC suspension is made up of lots of little parts, sensors and computers. The first issue with repairs is that often it is very difficult to identify which component needs fixing. The error code from your car is a handy first step, but even those might show just one of many issues with the suspension.
Furthermore, the interdependent nature of the ABC system means that when one component fails to do its job, it disrupts the entire system. The breakdown of something like a sensor could mean that undue stress was put on the pump, setting it up for early failure.
Repairing the ABC suspension on your vehicle is at best a temporary solution, with more repairs a certain part of the future. While it might seem cheaper now to just replace a sensor or fluid line, chances are things will start to add up quickly.
Repair ABC Suspension With OEM Parts
So maybe you’ve fallen in love with the ABC system. It was a pretty advanced system for its day and age. It’s easy to see how someone might not want to change from that. The Mercedes-Benz dealership is happy to accommodate you if this is your preference. By going to them you can get your CL 500 riding like the first day you bought it. The only problem? Expense.
Cost to Repair Mercedes CL500 Suspension
According to data from RepairPal, the average cost to replace one electronic strut on a Mercedes CL500 is just under $3,500. It is almost certain that you’ll need to replace more than just one strut to fully repair your CL500 suspension problems. Here are some other cost estimates from RepairPal:
Replace Ride Height Sensor ($450)
Replace Hydraulic Pump ($1,300) + Hydraulic Reservoir ($400)
Note that this list doesn’t even include any of the computer or sensor components. The average time of suspension failure is at around 80-100,000 miles for this vehicle. Therefore, you’d likely spend more on replacing the suspension than the car itself is worth. For many people, that’s simply not practical or even realistic.
As one user on a Mercedes CL500 Reddit thread put it, “ABC suspension. If it fails, basically you can sell the car.”
Replace Mercedes CL500 Suspension With a Conversion Kit
For less than the cost of one hydraulic strut, you can replace all four wheels with time-tested, simple mechanical coilover struts. This Mercedes-Benz CL500 suspension conversion kit allows you to install a brand new suspension for less than the cost of replacing a single electronic strut.
Once installed, these hardy struts come with a lifetime limited warranty. This means they’ll outlast your car or you’ll have your money back. This also means once you install them, you can kiss those frequent trips to the mechanic or dealership goodbye.
The brilliance in these kits is their simplicity. That simplicity is easy to see for yourself. They are so easy to install, you should be able to do it yourself with just a few common tools and an afternoon. Rather get it installed by your mechanic? The simple installation means you still save bundles on costly time “under the hood.”
Strutmasters Mercedes-Benz CL500 Suspension Conversion Kit
If you’re ready to get that Mercedes-Benz CL 500 back on the road and ready to go without spending a fortune, give us a call at (866) 984-1443. One of our Suspension Experts will be there to help you get exactly what you need.
Need a professional to install your conversion kit? We can help with that, too! Just ask your Suspension Expert for a list of Strutmasters-approved installers from our preferred shop partner network near you.
