Thread: Mercedes SL500 suspension leveling issue

A co-worker of mine has a 2004 SL500 that has this suspension leveling system that's driven hydraulically. He's replaced two different struts since owning the car, as they were leaking and the leveling system wouldn't raise up the car. After replacing the strut and refilling the reservoir and waiting a while, he could hit the button to raise the vehicle and the struts would function as normal.

The last time he had the strut replaced, it wouldn't raise back up. They found that there were some hydraulic lines that burst as well, so those were replaced in addition. Now, everything is back together and the fluids are topped off, but the strut will still not raise up with the rest of the system.

Any ideas?

Edit* This a sl so they have an abc, could be something there maybe a blockage in the actuator? Or might have air in it.

Doesn't really narrow it down, but thanks

He said that the system raises and lowers on it's own, but not all the way down to the lowest suspension setting. Say he comes to a light and stops: The suspension will raise to the highest setting.

Can you provide bleeding procedures?

None that involve keeping the car.

It needs to be connected to an sds comupter I work at a mercedes dealer, and thats the only way I know of bleeding the system.

I know that I ran into the issue a few years ago and there is some sort of procedure that had to be done after repairs were made. Everything needs to be sync'd through the control module that runs the self leveling suspension. The vehicle I had an issue with was a few years older and had air bags, but I imagine it is the same idea. I believe you may need the factory scan tool on the new vehicles such as this one. Not too much help I know but I think your best bet is to bring it in to a dealer and just have them try to re-calibrate the system. That is the best way I can describe it. I know they will try to sell you some things you don't need if you just ask them to fix it. I will look in All Data on Monday to see if I can find the exact procedure that you will need to ask for if you still need help on this. Just let me know and I'll see what I can dig up.
Drew