E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

One side is lower than the other.

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Old May 10, 2011 | 03:02 AM
  #1  
Ecin's Avatar
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One side is lower than the other.

My car looks tilted when it's parked. One one side i can fit my whole hand between the top of the tire and the car, on the other side just a few fingers. Why is that? What is the problem?
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Old May 10, 2011 | 08:42 AM
  #2  
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2007 E550
Which side is lower?
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Old May 13, 2011 | 03:14 PM
  #3  
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E320 Avantgarde estate
one side is lower than the other

I had the same problem last year. Merc dealer checked it out and identified some of the rear stabilising unit electronics needed re setting, but I felt they never got to the root of it. They did 4 wheel alignment as well. It is still not even but is better than it was.
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Old May 15, 2011 | 01:53 PM
  #4  
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S550, E320 Sport Wagon and A170CDI :)
Originally Posted by freebeer
I had the same problem last year. Merc dealer checked it out and identified some of the rear stabilising unit electronics needed re setting, but I felt they never got to the root of it. They did 4 wheel alignment as well. It is still not even but is better than it was.
In my E320 the passenger rear side is lower than the driver side...is it kinda "normal"? It's about half an inch lower...
hubi
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Old Dec 11, 2011 | 03:54 AM
  #5  
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2004 W211 - E320 Wagon
Rear passenger lower + suspension drop

Hi,
My rear suspension is about half an inch lower on rear passenger side than on rear driver side. I've look around today with soap and water, seems to me there is no leak is the hoses or anywhere. Anybody knows how to set or reset rear stabilising unit electronics ?
When I wake up every morning, the passenger rear side suspension is completely dropped. When I start the engine, it comes up in about 30 seconds.
Anyone has an idea what this can be ?
Thanks very much !
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Old Dec 11, 2011 | 08:40 AM
  #6  
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my amg was sinking over night; turned out to be the rear suspention baffles.......

have not had any sinking since
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Old Dec 11, 2011 | 09:32 AM
  #7  
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It would be good to know if we are talking about a car with Airmatic suspension (or a wagon with air springs rear with self levelling) and if the car has one side lower than the other only after parking or also when it is on an even road and engine running?

If the car had steel springs, it could be from one spring being broken (cut). If the car has had front springs changed, it could be from incorrect installation of the springs.

The rear has anyway only one level sensor. If that sensor misbehaves, it cannot make the car tilt.

As above, leaking air springs (or valves) can make the car drop over night and it can happen for one corner only.
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Old Dec 11, 2011 | 02:44 PM
  #8  
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2004 W211 - E320 Wagon
Further infos

Sorry, I forgot to mention it is a wagon with air springs rear with self levelling. The car has one side lower than the other all the time and also when it is on an even road and engine running. It's always half an inch lower.
I'm not sure of one thing : how do I change the air spring (on photo) ? Is it a big job ? Can I do it myself ?
Thanks guys !

Last edited by rickyleb; Dec 11, 2011 at 07:29 PM.
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Old Jan 13, 2012 | 02:44 PM
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2004 E320 Wagon
I have an 04 E320 Wagon, not 4matic and without Airmatic. This morning my wife was driving and she put it in park and the rear end dropped and it said "Stop, car too low". The whole rear end was down. I came, turned the car on, bounced on the rear end, and it brought itself back up. I am thinking it is some sort of sensor, but I am just beginning the process of researching these cars and am looking for some guidance.
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Old Jan 13, 2012 | 02:45 PM
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2004 E320 Wagon
By the way, ricky, it sounds like one of your rear airbags is busted. I hear that you dont have to remove the rear differential to replace, like some people will tell you.
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Old Jan 13, 2012 | 07:40 PM
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Originally Posted by thebavarian
By the way, ricky, it sounds like one of your rear airbags is busted. I hear that you dont have to remove the rear differential to replace, like some people will tell you.
Mine was done under warranty. They did pull the diff. From what I understand to get the system out without cutting lines you must pull the diff.

However you can cut and splice the line and not pull the diff.

The reason MB doesn't want you to cut the line is the risk of total failure and

collaps of the rear suspension while driving. So It really just depends on how confident you are to splice the air line.
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Old Jun 16, 2012 | 07:42 AM
  #12  
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2004 W211 - E320 Wagon
7 months later + 2 airprings

Hi guys,

Since december 2011, I had only problems with the rear suspension of my 2004 E320 Wagon. Beautiful car, wonderful ride, but damn the suspension is getting me crazy.

First, the car always looked tilted when it was parked. Then, it started to get dangerously low and when I started the car, the compressor would bring everything back to normal. I went to my mecanic and he said he couldn't see any leak in the system. So I deciced to buy a brand new air spring from Mercedes Benz.

After three months of usage, the second airspring exploded while I was driving. No hurt, but the car went "too low" and I had to tow it. By the way, even with that new air spring, the car always looked tilted.

I went back to the dealership with my "new" airspring which was exploded and they told me it's not covered under warranty. Thank you very much. So I had to buy a new one if I wanted to drive my car. So I did.

This time I had it installed by the dealership because they were arguing it was a wrong installation, which I absolutely do not believe, and the problem is still there. THE CAR IS TILTED. Unbelievable !

I've been driving with my 3rd air spring for 4 months now without any problem, but the car is about 1 inch lower on the rear passenger side. My mecanic scanned it with star diagnostic system (sds) and it showed no error. We tried to adjust it "automatically" but it would always stay tilted. We adjusted it "manually" with the sds and the car looked great. But only for a couple of days. As soon as it was parked for a few days, I went tilted again.

What should I do ? Buy a conversion kit and get rid of that airmatic crap ? Is there any existing solution for the airmatic ? How can I get my car not to be tilted all the time ?

Please, help me guys !
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Old Jun 16, 2012 | 09:08 AM
  #13  
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There is a variable rsesistor controlled by a lever arm that connects to the suspension and provides feed back to the control system. If the arm is incorrectly adjusted the height will be off.

Leaky air springs can leak in a fold and not leak at the same rate. Over night cooling can cause the hole to open up and vent more. I have actually found leaks where the bag folds onto itself. You either have a adjustment off or air bag leaking.
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Old Apr 8, 2014 | 02:22 PM
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W211 E500 2003
Hi, I had the front right strut replaced to an arnott (airmatic suspension), after the replacement, we waited a couple of minutes so the pump fills the new strut with air and lowered it, the car looked fine, but as soon as I left the shop, I had the red stop car on dash and both right and left wheels touching the fenders. Please help!!!!
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Old Apr 9, 2014 | 07:41 PM
  #15  
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W211 E500 2003
Originally Posted by Plutoe
This dude has posted his tale of woo in two or three places---patience is a virtue!!

I have suggested he go back to the shop who did the work!!
My bad, I'm not sure how did that bother you though, Thanks for your help
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Old Nov 13, 2015 | 02:44 PM
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Looks like most of those problems never got really resolved, so I am reviving the thread with same problem.
My wagon with rear air only has driver rear side 1/2" lower than passenger side.
I am studying the system and as DB posted above, there is only 1 level sensor in the rear, but each bag has separate valve that allows computer to lift sides individually.
To my surprise, my steel front suspension has level sensors.
I've been dealing with RV air suspension for years and with older. mechanical suspension it always is that one axle (usually rear) is leveling side to side, while other axle(s) have single valve that give even pressure to both sides.
In W211 case I have no idea what computer does and wonder if any DIY ever figure it out?
I am tempted to adjust front sensor hoping that will level rear, but will I help computer to work it out, or will I work against the computer?
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Old Nov 14, 2015 | 02:56 PM
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Did additional checking and in front there is level sensor only on passenger side.
So 1 sensor on front right and 1 on center of differential.
How da heck that thing levels itself?
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Old Nov 14, 2015 | 06:33 PM
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More internet search and looks like front level sensor is for headlight adjustment and has nothing to do with suspension.
To top it, suppose MB allows 20mm difference in W211 corners level.
20mm=3/4". Mine is 1/2"
Looks like something I will have to live with.
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Old Nov 23, 2015 | 03:21 PM
  #19  
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Hi Kajtek!
I have the same problem.I had rear self levelling,fitted a conversion kit but still have the problem.Front left higher then front right by 1 finger and rear right lower then rear left.I guess there is nothing wrong with your air springs.I'm thinking changing both front springs might solve the problem.Just fitted to new front shocks.
Bought the car a year ago,and it had different shocks on rear.Elecric on right ,normal on left.Fitted 2 new electric recently.I guess it was manufactured with different shocks,because I don't have that little plastic thing to hold cable on left side.What is on yours?

If I find solution for the tilt,I'll let you know
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Old May 11, 2017 | 08:54 PM
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2007 mercedes s550
2007 mercedes s550 passenger rear lower than driver

Originally Posted by rickyleb
Hi,
My rear suspension is about half an inch lower on rear passenger side than on rear driver side. I've look around today with soap and water, seems to me there is no leak is the hoses or anywhere. Anybody knows how to set or reset rear stabilising unit electronics ?
When I wake up every morning, the passenger rear side suspension is completely dropped. When I start the engine, it comes up in about 30 seconds.
Anyone has an idea what this can be ?
Thanks very much !
hi there I'm having a simular issue on my 2007 s550 I notice over the past few days that my passenger rear side is about 1/2 inch lower than driver side. To the point it's starting to rub on my tire.. did you ever find a fix ?? Can anyone help?? Thank you in advance

Last edited by Cubita 305; May 11, 2017 at 09:11 PM.
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Old May 11, 2017 | 09:05 PM
  #21  
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2007 mercedes s550
2007 s550 passenger rear lower than driver

Hi everyone, wondering if anyone has dealt with this that could be of assistance or guide me in the right direction.
over the past couple days I've notice that the rear passenger side of my car is about 1/2 lower than driver side.. It became more obvious after I instated 22 inch wheels on the vehicle. wondering if any of you guys ever encounter the same problem or heard of it before ??? The car had lowering links before but it's back on the stock links now.. just figured I mention that incase it may have anything to do with it. Thanks in advance!!

Last edited by Cubita 305; May 11, 2017 at 09:10 PM.
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Old May 12, 2017 | 02:53 AM
  #22  
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2001 E320 Wagon, 2006 LBZ Silverado, 2007 E63 (sold), 2001 E55 (sold)
Is your car ABC or Airmatic? Might want to try asking in the S class section, this section is just for E class cars and they don't come with ABC.

Post your question again here and you may get more help: https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w221-74/
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Old Jul 31, 2018 | 07:40 AM
  #23  
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E class wagon
reply to Cubita.

Originally Posted by Cubita 305
Hi everyone, wondering if anyone has dealt with this that could be of assistance or guide me in the right direction.
over the past couple days I've notice that the rear passenger side of my car is about 1/2 lower than driver side.. It became more obvious after I instated 22 inch wheels on the vehicle. wondering if any of you guys ever encounter the same problem or heard of it before ??? The car had lowering links before but it's back on the stock links now.. just figured I mention that incase it may have anything to do with it. Thanks in advance!!
Hi, if the suspension was dismantled in any way, check that the elliptical bolts that hold the arms are set correctly. These will change ride height and sometimes camber, depending what was removed and how well the bolts were marked before work started.
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Old Feb 16, 2019 | 09:16 PM
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Cl500
I got a 2002 cl500 with the rear passenger side about an inch or so lower than the rear driver side, any idea what this is?
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Old Feb 18, 2019 | 05:53 AM
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2005 E500 wagon
I have a 2005 E500 wagon not level

I have a 2005 E500 wagon and the left side is also very low and it looks terrible. I bought new new airbags or whatever the technical name is and I’m starting to wonder if that is the problem because it’s always the same and I rarely here the compressor kick on. It doesn’t seem to matter how long the car sits it’s always the same.
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