Hi, I'm brand new to the forum and am looking for some advice on my 2006 CL 600. I looked under the car the other day and seem to have a big problem with the ABC hoses leaking at the fittings. I can see that the main line going from each front strut needs replacing as well as the high pressure expansion hose that's tucked between the cross member and the front of the oil pan. There is also at least one leaky hose going towards the rear, but I haven't taken shrouds off to fully inspect the rear yet and identify anything else. Since this will be my first major repair with this car I have several questions before I tear into it:
1. What would cause the hoses to all be failing at once? The car only has 33,000 miles on it, so I find it hard to believe that they're worn out from normal use. I'm also skeptical that the hoses are all becoming weak simply due to age. I tested the pump and got a solid 190 bars at idle and about 175 bars during the rodeo. I've heard that the pulsation dampener could cause extra stress in the lines if that needs replacing; is there any truth to that? I will say that I've had a strange problem with the car lightly "bouncing" (more when its cold) and I've always thought about the pulsation dampener, but the dealer keeps claiming its a wheel balance issue that they blame on a "slightly bent rim" which I also don't buy. They wanted to sell me a new rim and all new tires. I've had bent rims and out of balance wheels on a car and I now what that feels like. This is not that.
2. Can anyone help me with a procedure to replace the lines or at least some pitfalls to avoid? I cant seem to find any steps on this site or on my copy of WIS, which I'm admittedly not very proficient at using yet. The left and right strut lines seem straightforward enough, but I'm concerned about getting to the high pressure line. I've heard you need to jack the engine up, but again would love to see any kind of procedure that directs exactly how far, and what to remove without screwing anything else up.
3. I've read a couple threads about repairing the lines at a hydraulic shop to avoid the insane prices that MB charges for them. Can anyone attest to long term success with this?
4. Is there anything else I should consider repairing or replacing while I'm in there as a preemptive measure with this age and mileage?
Any help from your experience would be greatly appreciated!!
1. What would cause the hoses to all be failing at once? The car only has 33,000 miles on it, so I find it hard to believe that they're worn out from normal use. I'm also skeptical that the hoses are all becoming weak simply due to age. I tested the pump and got a solid 190 bars at idle and about 175 bars during the rodeo. I've heard that the pulsation dampener could cause extra stress in the lines if that needs replacing; is there any truth to that? I will say that I've had a strange problem with the car lightly "bouncing" (more when its cold) and I've always thought about the pulsation dampener, but the dealer keeps claiming its a wheel balance issue that they blame on a "slightly bent rim" which I also don't buy. They wanted to sell me a new rim and all new tires. I've had bent rims and out of balance wheels on a car and I now what that feels like. This is not that.
2. Can anyone help me with a procedure to replace the lines or at least some pitfalls to avoid? I cant seem to find any steps on this site or on my copy of WIS, which I'm admittedly not very proficient at using yet. The left and right strut lines seem straightforward enough, but I'm concerned about getting to the high pressure line. I've heard you need to jack the engine up, but again would love to see any kind of procedure that directs exactly how far, and what to remove without screwing anything else up.
3. I've read a couple threads about repairing the lines at a hydraulic shop to avoid the insane prices that MB charges for them. Can anyone attest to long term success with this?
4. Is there anything else I should consider repairing or replacing while I'm in there as a preemptive measure with this age and mileage?
Any help from your experience would be greatly appreciated!!