N_Jay

Looks like I have a leaky airspring in the rear.
Anyone use any of the "OEM" and/or no names ones off eBay?
Anyone know any good places to get Arrnot airsprings at a discount?

VentoGT

Arnott seems to be the supplier of choice for not only MB but Audi aftermarket air springs. They also carry a warranty and usually are half the cost of new OEM

islandbeef

This supplier sells refurbished and they guarantee their springs. Located in San Diego, CA.

http://shock-absorber.dvautoparts.co...w-jkirikoookjq

N_Jay

They charge more than Arrnot, and they don't seem to have the rears.


The question is considering my originals lasted 120,000 miles and 6 years, id $170 to $180 a side for Arrnots really worth it compared to no-names at $85 to $100 a side?


The other question, is do they really need to be done in pairs?

VentoGT

Speaking from the Audi forum that I am on which uses similar technology and Arnott replacement struts, the rule of thumb is do them one at a time as they fail instead of in pairs unless you know the other is failing. PS--for my car [S8], the Arnott units are around $500 ea. So $170 a corner is a steal in my opinion.

N_Jay

The rear of the GL is only a bag, not a whole shock / strut assembly.
hence the lower cost.

VentoGT

Touche

N_Jay

Still does not answer the question if the under $100 no-names are really any worse than the $175 Arrnots or $$$$$$ MB-OEM?

Bimmer777

Driver side rear started sagging while parked most of the time now. Interested in opinions on this as well. Will be replacing this summer.

N_Jay

I'm not waiting that long because I don't want to kill the pump.


I have to replace a shock so I have to get under in the cold anyhow.


If I don't hear anything soon, I will be going with et cheaper one.

Bimmer777

I just dont have the time now to do it. I am risking with the pump though. Maybe i'll have to find time or else it will cost a lot more.

Cheaper option as in cheaper than Arnott? I would go with Arnott just because of lifetime warranty.

Also, my GL has one Arnott already in the front, previous owner must have replaced. Truck rides absolutely fine and I cannot tell any difference left to right, so I'd say replace just the one that is leaking. I am a fan of doing stuff like this in pairs but in this case it seems to be ok to do one at a time.

alx

i have seen trucks work with the cheaper no brand bags.

said that - i would pay a bit extra and get the arnotts as the company is rock solid, stands 100% behind their product and you know that once you put the arnotts in that would be the last you bother with those bags

my personal x164 has arnotts in the front and back and i have no affiliation with arnott in any way. take this fact at face value.

N_Jay

First bag lasted 120K miles and 7 years. Guessing not many people replace them twice.
Now, the darn shock seem to be about $260 to $275. I usually do shocks in pairs but at that price I may do one and see how it rides.

alx

Always do shocks in pairs.

N_Jay

Yes, that is generally the rule, but comes from the time when shocks were not designed to last nearly the lifetime of the vehicle.


MB even says they can be replaced one at a time.
I was actually looking for a used shock just so the wear would be a bit closer, but used rear shocks seem to be rare items.


My guess is because the interior need to be disassembled to remove them, and the relatively small market for used shocks, scrap yards don't bother.


Even tried Car-Parts.com, but might check a few more cross references and try again.


Even with one shock blown and leaked out, the ride is not too bad, so I am guessing a small difference between a new and a used shock will be even less.

BlownV8

I'm close to 200k on my GL and the factory airbags were replaced once and now those have also failed and have been replaced with Arnott units. I would not do factory airbags/strutts again.

N_Jay

Parts are on the way.
One new shock and one Arnott air spring.


Now all I need is a decent day. (might buy a kerosene heater for the garage.)

alx

You are nickle and dime-ing your mb vehicle and maintaining it on a shoestring budget. This is not going to end well. This is an observation from this and other posts of yours. I am not trying to sound elitist or insult you as I have no idea who you are, but this is not how it is done. Trust me here.

The Arnott rear airbags are not the same as the oem bags as they have a different rate. Arnott recommends to replace them always in pairs.

N_Jay

My factory fronts were done by the previous owner under warranty.
It was a TX car and I am guessing heat has a lot to do with the life span.
However, it was also garage kept at both ends of the commute, so probably did not get as much heat as most TX cars.


I see no reason to go with MB parts, but deciding between Arnott and "other" is a bit tougher.


The shock I ordered is a Bilstein, but that is MB's OEM anyhow, so I am not expecting any difference except the cost and a sticker.

N_Jay

Yes, I am frugal ("Cheap" as my son says)

It is a balancing act. I find I fall off both sides, spending some money for things that in the end were not needed, and other times realizing that I should have spent a little more up front.
I guess that puts me somewhere close to the balance point.
(Always learning and always adjusting)

I do agree that most people (especially in the MB world) seem to lean towards over rather then under spending.

Of course I know people who overspend maintaining their Fords and Chevys, and wonder how I drive two MBs.

From the Arnott FAQ:

alx

They are not the same as oem. They run less pressure to maintain same ride height as they are stiffer. That is one of the reasons why they are warranted for life. If you have DAS you can see by yourself what I am talking about.

The head toss will be amplified also by the fact that the old remaining bag has become further even softer with time.

Once you receive your bag read the instructions. It will say both bags should be replaced at the same time. There is a reason for that. Of course as you said since you tend to be more frugal your mileage obviously will vary.

N_Jay

I'll check the instructions that come with it, but the instruction sheet I downloaded from Arnott does not say anything about replacing both bags.


Maybe they revised their design?


If it "bobbling" I will probably plan a new rt shock and second bag, but I am hoping it will be OK.

memphis c350

I've order (1) arnott bag for my left rear and plan on doing the install myself.
My question is. Should I replace both or just wait until the other starts to leak.
As the writer stated above I love the ride. Whem working a double I generally have to roll down the window to keep from falling asleep (with a ride this smooth). The dealer suggested I chamge both out at the same time. But with the install being so simple and arnott having an ample supply I didn't see the need to purchase 2.

N_Jay

My one bag (and one shock) are on the way, but might get installed at different times due to available time and shipping times.
Bag will be in Thursday, no word on the shock.

Bimmer777

Looking forward to your feedback. Ordered pair of Arnott bags, will be swapping in couple of weeks.