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DIY: Replacing an airmatic self leveling rear shock absorber
02-02-2011, 09:43 AM
#26
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03 E500 and Corvette
Thanks! I'm going to try it! I wonder if AutohausAZ is a sponsor? I'd like to give a sponsor a crack at the business first.
Regarding the Trans fluid, I have two dealers in my area. One told me that it was due for a change. The other told me that it never gets replaced for my year - 2004. The latter just doesn't seem right to me, but I'd like to believe them!
Best regards
Regarding the Trans fluid, I have two dealers in my area. One told me that it was due for a change. The other told me that it never gets replaced for my year - 2004. The latter just doesn't seem right to me, but I'd like to believe them!
Best regards
02-02-2011, 12:17 PM
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2004 E500 CLK320
At first, it was life-time fluid. Then MB changed that to every 100k mi, and recently it's every 49k mi. If you're going to keep the car past the 100k mi mark, I strongly recommend to have the ATF changed. The 7-speed tranny is very sentimental. $400 is a small price to pay in avoiding potential expensive repairs.
02-02-2011, 01:53 PM
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e500 2004
At first, it was life-time fluid. Then MB changed that to every 100k mi, and recently it's every 49k mi. If you're going to keep the car past the 100k mi mark, I strongly recommend to have the ATF changed. The 7-speed tranny is very sentimental. $400 is a small price to pay in avoiding potential expensive repairs.
My car is at 90k miles. My goal is to get the car over 100k miles (must resist societal pressures and marketing campaigns! ). Having no car payment is great...
So I will look into the tranny fluid with my Indie.
02-02-2011, 01:59 PM
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e500 2004
AutohausAZ says there are two different part # for the rear airmatic shocks, based on the serial # on the axle. Does anyone know where the serial # is? I attach the link...
http://www.autohausaz.com/search/pro...ock%20Absorber
http://www.autohausaz.com/search/pro...ock%20Absorber
02-02-2011, 02:50 PM
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02-02-2011, 03:18 PM
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e500 2004
03-15-2011, 09:24 PM
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e500
thank you all for the valuable info,
i bought 2004 e500 in dec 2007, now i have 82,000 miles on it and 4th year as an owner, i live in new england area roads are very bad, 4 years back when i hit a pot hole or bump or pass by uneven roads i used to feel like i fell on a balloon and ride continued smoothly, it used to be very cushy, now after 4 years i feel really uncomfortable driving on the uneven roads car body vibrates and shakes, i dont feel that cushion anymore like before when i hit pot hole or bump, now im feeling the impact of bad roads which wasnt there 4 years back.
i took it to the dealer they said nothing about shock absorbers or suspension but they said both engine mounts failed needs to be replaced, since i dont have money right now i postponed. to all the knowledgeable people out there my question is why my car doesnt feel like 4 years back is it because the shock absorbers go bad at 82000 miles? or replacing engine mounts could solve the problem? is it the shock absorbers give that nice not vibrating shaky feeling or something else, i am car illiterate, so forgive my ignorance.
i bought 2004 e500 in dec 2007, now i have 82,000 miles on it and 4th year as an owner, i live in new england area roads are very bad, 4 years back when i hit a pot hole or bump or pass by uneven roads i used to feel like i fell on a balloon and ride continued smoothly, it used to be very cushy, now after 4 years i feel really uncomfortable driving on the uneven roads car body vibrates and shakes, i dont feel that cushion anymore like before when i hit pot hole or bump, now im feeling the impact of bad roads which wasnt there 4 years back.
i took it to the dealer they said nothing about shock absorbers or suspension but they said both engine mounts failed needs to be replaced, since i dont have money right now i postponed. to all the knowledgeable people out there my question is why my car doesnt feel like 4 years back is it because the shock absorbers go bad at 82000 miles? or replacing engine mounts could solve the problem? is it the shock absorbers give that nice not vibrating shaky feeling or something else, i am car illiterate, so forgive my ignorance.
04-24-2011, 10:13 AM
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S550, E320 Sport Wagon and A170CDI :)
hubi
04-28-2011, 06:52 PM
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03 E500 and Corvette
I still have one used 2003 Self level shock for sale, make offer + shipping. It was good when I removed it. I had a clunk on right side and replaced both. Left was still ok.
04-29-2011, 03:45 AM
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So, when you were changing the shocks, have you seen the procedure as the same as in this post?
04-29-2011, 09:04 AM
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03 E500 and Corvette
The post worked well and I used the MB service manual. The only PITA was routing the wiring on the new shock under the car as I did not jack it high enough to get under when planning the shock change.
04-29-2011, 10:26 AM
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07-30-2011, 12:36 AM
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2004 e5004matic wagon
I am about to embark on the replacement of the rear shock on my wagon. Given the cost of this shock, (400$) I wonder if there is any specialty shop that would consider rebuilding???
07-30-2011, 04:38 PM
#43
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03 E500 and Corvette
I had one that failed and bought two new ones. After pulling the first one I found it had failed. The other I removed was still in good shape but I had already bought the extra one so I put it on.
07-31-2011, 10:48 AM
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Casman, I wouldn't change only one shock, cause both shocks should be change at the time. I had only one damaged but changed both of them. You will never have the same parameters if you change only one.
07-31-2011, 10:59 AM
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07-31-2011, 11:04 AM
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2004 e5004matic wagon
Airmatic. The conventional suspension is quite cost effective to replace...and many good quality replacement parts are available. I am not sure that this is the case for airmatic....
07-31-2011, 11:08 AM
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I know it's costly.......
