LexBrett2

Hi All,
My front right strut collapsed yesterday. I have looked through the video tutorials online and I think I can do the job.

If you have a chance, please help me with the following:

1. What do you all think about this strut:

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...246/10017531-P

2. What is semi-adaptive airmatic, code 489? How do I know if my car has this or is fully adaptive? My car has the button to raise the car and has two suspension settings.

3. Any other tips you may think of??

Thank you very much in advance!

Dnasty

Well I can answer the one question in regards to arnott. They are basically the best choice and really only choice (i'd recommend) for getting replacements. They basically rebuild em and give you lifetime warranty. It is a diy job depending on how experienced you are dealing with suspension etc... I'd give it a 3/5... 5 being the hardest.

Not sure what the error code is though. Either way if it's collapsed it probably just needs to be changed.

LexBrett2

Thanks for the response. I did end up buying the Arnot Strut at Advance Auto for $500. Still working on the DIY, but I am getting close. Made my day when I used this tool to get off ball joint:

https://mobiledistributorsupply.com/...ABEgIi0vD_BwE#

Dnasty

Yea the balljoint is a pia... putting it back in is even harder... did not know you had to remove ball joints to take the strut out though.

unlukky

You shouldnt have to undo the ball joints to replace the strut.

LexBrett2

Watched several videos, and they all disconnected ball joint. There is not a lot of space so hard to imagine getting it out otherwise:


Any tips on getting ball joint reconnected? Do I need a special tool? I am taking it really slow, since this is first time doing a shock, and plus I am going to do the other side.

Do you all know the torque specs for the bolts?? I looked online all day yesterday and could not find the specs.

I assume I use blue lock-tight??

In any event, I got the airstrut out last night, and plan to put in the Arnott tonight.


Any tips are much appreciated!!

Son Lu

tell me a bit about ur strut if it cls550 then I can help u

Son Lu

u don't need special tool to remove struts out. but u r replace new one in ? if u do u will get the problem is one side will higher then the other side for sure. if ur struts uneven then just post it I will show u how to adjust them for same height

Son Lu

email me sonlu514@gmail.com will show u how to seal the leak and save thousand dollar to get new one.

LexBrett2

Hey Buddy, thanks for the post. I was successful this weekend in changing the defective right strut.

Bought an Arnott strut with a lifetime warranty from Advance Auto for $500. Fitment is perfect, the ride is improved, and no issue so far (fingers crossed).

I am interested in knowing how to adjust ride height as you mentioned. It seems that ONLY expensive diagnostic tools (or STAR) are able to adjust ride height.

Is that correct or is there another method to adjust the height?

LexBrett2

Now that my front left airmatic strut is replaced I noticed a very unexpected side benefit of the repair. My windows don't "rattle" anymore when I run over bumps.

Before the repaired strut, when I was driving in the city on the crappy road, my front driver side window would make an annoying clicking/rattling sound.

I assumed that something was loose in the window, and one day I would have to take it apart to see what was going on.

But instead, it seems like the failing strut was sending vibration in the cabin, causing the window rattle.

Just something I thought I would share with the group...

LexBrett2

HI All,
This weekend I completed changing out both right and left front airmatic struts. I want to say *thank you* again for everyone's help. Not only did I save at least $1500 DIY, I feel much more confident driving (ie, because if a strut goes I know what to do).