CL500 body levelling

[Hornet]

Hi,

My CL500 2000 model is in bodyshop having the rear arches rolled to help accomodate my 20" kahns wheels with 285/30/20 rubber etc.

My bodyshop guy has just informed me that when the car is sat on his level floor that the drivers side seems about 17-18mm lower than the nearside?

Is this an easy fix for Merc as I have it booked in my MB dealer in Hull next Wed AM for them to check it.. and I hate not knowing in advance of what the problem is or maybe etc.

Help please..

Thanks in advance

H

 

[BlackC55]

The sbc needs setting up. They usde the wheel alingnment equipment and star to do it.

You may have a problem withh one of the struts.

 

[Hornet]

cool, thanks for quick reply it's much appreciated.

So what kind of cost, parts and labour am i looking at?

Thanks again

H

 

[television]

Could be an hours work,on Star, you can have the height set within a 3cm limit all round

 

[BlackC55]

I would probably say a couple of hours to do it all properly.

Please bear in mind that there might be other issues with it.

 

[Hornet]

hmmm, so what your saying is I can ask them to level andset the standard ride height to what I want within this 3cm limit?

I presume the button on the dashboard that raises the car in two stages would remain un-affected, hence the 3cm limit ?

Thanks for input guys, much appreciated.

H

 

[Hornet]

I understand there may be other issues with it, so my next question is... What other issues?

As I can't understand why it would be out by itself unless it had a fault? or do they often slip out of align now and then ?

Thanks in advance

H

 

[BlackC55]

Pump efficency (new pump)

Pressure sensors (common problem)

Strut failure (new strut)

Leaks etc

None of these items are cheap to fix. The system is complicated and expensive to fix when they go wrong.

If there is a leak it needs to be fixed FIRST as it is important for the pump to keep a good pressure without leaks.

Be prepared to have deep pockets if they find a leak. I did one once on a CL600. 40 Hours labour plus parts. Not cheap.

 

[Hornet]

Well I was provided with one of those aftermarket warranties, but instead of barteringthe price down I had them give me the full premium package. So I get unlimited amount of claims upto value of £1000 each for 12 months.

This should go someway to paying for the fix, and might be able to ask garage to enter a second claim for same part with different description if you catch my drift...

Shouldn't think its a leak though as wouldn't have this been picked up on it's recent MOT ?

TIA

H

 

[BlackC55]

Probably not. Especially if the engine undertray covers are on covering it up!!

I hope you understand that I am just trying to give you the worst case senario.

Any more advice if you need it just ask. I went on the ABC training course at MB and have done ALOT of work to that system. I know it quite well.

 

[Hornet]

I understand you are giving worst case scenario, and it is very much appreciated. It's in at MB of Hull at 10:15am next Wed for them to have a look at, I have told them I do not want hitting with more than one hours labour to quote me to fix what ever the problem is. Once they have quoted me and told me I will drive away and ask again if its not something coverable by my warranty.

So once again, thankyou, I will post more on this when I know more.

Regards

H

 

[BlackC55]

Anytime

 

[television]

hmmm, so what your saying is I can ask them to level andset the standard ride height to what I want within this 3cm limit?

I presume the button on the dashboard that raises the car in two stages would remain un-affected, hence the 3cm limit ?

Thanks for input guys, much appreciated.

H

Black knows the times better than me for doing these things.

Re the height, the guys in the states do it to go with their 20" rims, it does not affect the height range that you can set in the car

 

[glojo]

Are you fully aware of the complete history of the car, did it have an HPI check?

It certainly appears to have a few problems, but hopefully this one will easily be sorted and everything else will be hunky dory.

Good luck,
John

 

[television]

If you have leaking struts there will be oil stains on the insides of the rims

 

[SG CL500]

You could have a leaking pump (i did - osf) - mine was a very very slow leak and at first was caught by the undertray. It wasn't until that was full did it start driping onto the floor - we were talking about 2 to 3 drips a day, very easy to miss even on a garage floor. The garage could not initially work out where it was coming from.

 

[Hornet]

The car is HPI clear yes and it doesnt have any problems at all, except this one, why would you state that?

The wheels have been on the car for about 4 months as the previous owner put them on, they are still like NEW barring a slight kurb mark (previous parker obviously no good), but no signs of any other marks or fluids..

H

 

[glojo]

The car is HPI clear yes and it doesnt have any problems at all, except this one, why would you state that?

Hi H,
I am a fan of the CL and have followed your posts with interest. Unfortunately your posts were misinterpreted. (My fault entirely)

Your remarks about considering repainting the wood interior, wanting to improve the COMAND TV, upgrading of the sub woofer and phone module have been misunderstood. As stated, my fault.

Regards
John

 

[Hornet]

No worries matey, wasn't haven't a go I just wondered if you knew something I didn't

Yeah as you have said, my post and things I am considering etc are because I want to modify the car not fix it. The car is in immaculate condition as far as I can see, especially for a car with 80k on it..

H