airmatic strut?
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: hawaii
13 E350 , 12 BMW 328i
airmatic strut?
as i was driving, i noticed my steering wheel pulling to the right, i thought i had another rear flat tire. as it turns out, the driver rear is bottoming out. so i press the "up" button and the front started to rise, then i see the driver rear starting to rise, then i hear air being released, then the driver rear lowers, then it starts to go up again, then air releases, then it lowers, and it stays down. i drive off , as i get to my destination, i push on the "up" button, and nothing happens. i wait several minutes, i push on the button again, and to my relief , the front starts to go up, but the driver rear stays down, so i push on the button so the front lowers. strut replacement? easy task? suggestions on where to buy parts?... sucks to be out of warranty and now the issues comes out... 
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From: Bay Area
2004 E500 CLK320
Sounds like a leak in the airmatic system. Look around the connections for leaks. If the air shocks are blown, I don't think you can raise the car again. Take a look at the shocks and look for any oil leaks.
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From: hawaii
13 E350 , 12 BMW 328i
thanks barry45rpm, for the website, however i don't see the application for the rears.. i'll call them.
thanks szmb, i'll check when i get home..
will post updates... wish me luck.
thanks szmb, i'll check when i get home..
will post updates... wish me luck.
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From: Bay Area
2004 E500 CLK320
As far as I know, the rear suspension is made of 2 separate parts: air spring and shock absorber. I can only find websites that sell the new rear shock absorber for ~$500. The air spring is probably only available from the dealer, probably very expensive. The front suspension is one piece, integrated w/ spring and shock absorber, which costs ~$900 when new or ~$400 for a rebuilt.
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From: hawaii
13 E350 , 12 BMW 328i
thanks szmb, i called the only dealer here in hawaii and the air spring is $1002.24 . i see a used one on ebay for $224.00 . haven't look under the car as of yet, but would know if if it's something a DIY guy can do? i done the AMG brake upgrade myself, including the R & R of the front spindle which i posted a DIY here. would you know if i need special tools?
thanks
thanks
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From: Bay Area
2004 E500 CLK320
I've never replaced an air spring in these cars. Don't know how difficult it is. However, the rear absorbers seem fairly easy. No special tools are needed. The front air shock does not seem difficult either. The dealer replaced one of front air shocks for me, next time I'll do it myself.
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I've never replaced an air spring in these cars. Don't know how difficult it is. However, the rear absorbers seem fairly easy. No special tools are needed. The front air shock does not seem difficult either. The dealer replaced one of front air shocks for me, next time I'll do it myself.
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From: hawaii
13 E350 , 12 BMW 328i
thanks diesel benz,
after crawling under the car, i see that there is a black 3/4 hose that is attatched to the airspring and goes up and over the subframe into a small aluminum tank that is bolted to the subframe. i don't see a work around it and it seems like that subframe would have to be unbolted and dropped , which means allot of other items have to be removed... would you happened to have the link to the DIY?
thanks
after crawling under the car, i see that there is a black 3/4 hose that is attatched to the airspring and goes up and over the subframe into a small aluminum tank that is bolted to the subframe. i don't see a work around it and it seems like that subframe would have to be unbolted and dropped , which means allot of other items have to be removed... would you happened to have the link to the DIY?
thanks
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From: Bay Area
2004 E500 CLK320
How did you determine that the airspring is bad? You will be wasting time and money if you haven't identified the source of the problem. Look for loose hose connections and oil leaks around suspension parts. Scan for any fault codes if there's any.
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From: hawaii
13 E350 , 12 BMW 328i
thanks SZMB,
i had a mobile independent mercedes mechanic check it out last night via star and confirmed it is the Air spring. you can actually hear the air from the air spring as it tries to pump up. it's not the lines . i also found out several other minor things wrong with the car... lucky me... now comes the decision of changing out both sides since the car is already 6 years old and the possibility of the other side going bad in a couple of months.... does anyone know where i can get these air springs cheaper than hawaii prices? i was quoted $ 1002.24 ea.
i had a mobile independent mercedes mechanic check it out last night via star and confirmed it is the Air spring. you can actually hear the air from the air spring as it tries to pump up. it's not the lines . i also found out several other minor things wrong with the car... lucky me... now comes the decision of changing out both sides since the car is already 6 years old and the possibility of the other side going bad in a couple of months.... does anyone know where i can get these air springs cheaper than hawaii prices? i was quoted $ 1002.24 ea.
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From: Grand Prairie Texas
'24 GLE53 AMG Coupe
A friend of mine here in Dallas found a set last year. Was able to get the bladders tested before installing. Saved him some $$$$ and he hasn't had any issues since.
Good luck on your search....
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From: Bay Area
2004 E500 CLK320
If you have friends working in any car dealers (new or used) or any licensed mechanics, they can buy parts from the MB dealer at whole sale prices, which is usually 40% less the retail price.
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From: Honolulu
'04 E320 Wagon
thanks SZMB,
i had a mobile independent mercedes mechanic check it out last night via star and confirmed it is the Air spring. you can actually hear the air from the air spring as it tries to pump up. it's not the lines . i also found out several other minor things wrong with the car... lucky me... now comes the decision of changing out both sides since the car is already 6 years old and the possibility of the other side going bad in a couple of months.... does anyone know where i can get these air springs cheaper than hawaii prices? i was quoted $ 1002.24 ea.
i had a mobile independent mercedes mechanic check it out last night via star and confirmed it is the Air spring. you can actually hear the air from the air spring as it tries to pump up. it's not the lines . i also found out several other minor things wrong with the car... lucky me... now comes the decision of changing out both sides since the car is already 6 years old and the possibility of the other side going bad in a couple of months.... does anyone know where i can get these air springs cheaper than hawaii prices? i was quoted $ 1002.24 ea.
I also live in Hawaii and know your pain related to a one-dealer town. I have used Parts.com several times and found them to be way better priced than the dealer.
Also, who do you use for a mobile mecerdes tech? I need access to the Star system and do not want to get ripped-off at the dealer.
Mahalo.
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From: hawaii
13 E350 , 12 BMW 328i
thanks to milanos @ benz world for his DIY on the airspring, and nikon for his advices, and pat from potomac german parts, i was able to change the left side driver airspring. i drove it around, feels normal, i kept it in the raised setting, parked it, left it for 2 days, all is good. i lower it to the normal ride hight, all seems good.
come back the next morning, rear is lower. open the door, it raises up to its normal height. the next morning , same thing. i raise the car back up, leave it for a day, and it sits normal, the rear dosn't lower.. is there something wrong with the rear sensor? i spray all hose, and fittings on both sides and it is all good.... fix one, then another problem arrises... help?
come back the next morning, rear is lower. open the door, it raises up to its normal height. the next morning , same thing. i raise the car back up, leave it for a day, and it sits normal, the rear dosn't lower.. is there something wrong with the rear sensor? i spray all hose, and fittings on both sides and it is all good.... fix one, then another problem arrises... help?
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From: Bay Area
2004 E500 CLK320
Can you post the DIY procedure for the air spring, or provide links to your DIY? That can help out a lot of people in the future.
It sounds like a slow leak in the airmatic system. Leaky hose, loose connections, etc. ???
It sounds like a slow leak in the airmatic system. Leaky hose, loose connections, etc. ???
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: hawaii
13 E350 , 12 BMW 328i
here is the link from Benzworld.org.
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w211...ic-spring.html
i was thinking a slow leak somewhere as well, but when i raise the car and park it, the rear dosn't go down, only when i have it on the normal ride height , the rear goes lower. the car was on jack stands for 1 month, and i only drove it around for about 3 - 4 days , but not in a row, being i bought another car , i hardly drive this one. could it bee that there is not enough pressure in the airmatic system since i hardly drove it since the repair?
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w211...ic-spring.html
i was thinking a slow leak somewhere as well, but when i raise the car and park it, the rear dosn't go down, only when i have it on the normal ride height , the rear goes lower. the car was on jack stands for 1 month, and i only drove it around for about 3 - 4 days , but not in a row, being i bought another car , i hardly drive this one. could it bee that there is not enough pressure in the airmatic system since i hardly drove it since the repair?
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From: hawaii
13 E350 , 12 BMW 328i
i sprayed all air fittings, no bubbles, so no leaks. i left the car in the raised mode for several days and all 4 is sitting as it was when i 1st left it. last night i lower it to it's normal ride height, this morning i noticed the driver rear (previously repaired) side is lower than normal, but the passenger side is way lower, like how the driver side was when the driver side airspring failed. the passenger side pumps back up when i open the door, but not as high as the driver side, only when i raise the car that both rear side is even. could the passenger side be failing, but not to the extent that the rear driver side was? i am assuming that because there maybe a leak in the bag when lowered that the driver side lowers to compensate for the rear passenger side?
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From: Bay Area
2004 E500 CLK320
I'm a little confused on how you described the ride height settings.
On my 2004 E500, with the tallest ride height setting, it's the Comfort Mode setting -- normal ride height. At Sport I setting, the ride height is reduced, firmer setting. At Sport II, it's the lowest ride height setting, firmest setting.
I don't know much about the airmatic system. Based on your description, it doesn't sound like loose fittings of the hoses. Something internal maybe leaking. As you adjust the ride heights, my guess is that the internal valves get moved around to set the proper ride height and it's possible that one of those valves (you called it the "normal" height setting) is leaking internally. If you leave it at "normal" height and the door opened through out the night, I bet the ride height will not change but you'll hear the air pump running once-in-a-while to replenish the lost air.
On my 2004 E500, with the tallest ride height setting, it's the Comfort Mode setting -- normal ride height. At Sport I setting, the ride height is reduced, firmer setting. At Sport II, it's the lowest ride height setting, firmest setting.
I don't know much about the airmatic system. Based on your description, it doesn't sound like loose fittings of the hoses. Something internal maybe leaking. As you adjust the ride heights, my guess is that the internal valves get moved around to set the proper ride height and it's possible that one of those valves (you called it the "normal" height setting) is leaking internally. If you leave it at "normal" height and the door opened through out the night, I bet the ride height will not change but you'll hear the air pump running once-in-a-while to replenish the lost air.
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From: hawaii
13 E350 , 12 BMW 328i
thanks SZMB, i just found my excuse to not sleep in bed...hahaha, i'll try it, i'll open the driver door, and leave it in the normal ride height and see if the rears stay the same height.. will keep you posted. thanks.
