ATS

Tonight I noticed the rear of my car was low on the drivers side.

When I started to drive my steering wheel was off center and to the left.

I also noticed that when I raised the car, it would go all the way up and then back down and then stutter a few times and then go back down to a lower height..

Anyone else ever have this problem.. Geez..

By the way, this the first time it was below 0 Celsius (freezing in Fareheit - whatever that is, lol) that I drove since last year.

Thanks

ATS

I just noticed in the TSB's there is the following:

-Airmatic ride height low at cold ambient temps

Anyone know the details of this Service Bulletin?

CALBenzo

Hey Atssystems,

That's a bummer. At least you know that the problem is recognized, and is, or will be, addressed. Since the problem is temperature sensitive, it would appear to be mechanically related. Keep us informed.

ATS

I called Merc Canada (they own the dealership where I take my car) and the service advisor had never heard of this problem on any E class.. (okay..)

They give me a loaner to get a steering wheel put in and a loaner to get a cd changer but they won't give me a loaner for this problem.. Oh well.

Last week I bought the extended warranty because I knew that the airmatic would some day have a problem, I did't think it would be a few days later.

If anyone else has ever had this problem or has access to the TSB's please let me know what you find.

By the way nice to see you CALBenzo.

marcos

How long is the full Warranty valid for in N.America?

ATS

Standard Warranty
4 years standard 5 on the powertrain.

Extended
6 years standard and 7 on powertrain.

This is how it is in Canada

konigstiger

P-B-32.22/15 MAR03 - Simply calls for the replacement of the affected air strut / air spring. If you would like a copy, forward your email address via PM (private messages) and I’ll be glad to send a PDF.

gotallthetoys

If the airspring needs replacement it's expensive. Hope it's under warranty and this does not happen after the warranty expires. After owning my E500 for 45 days, Igot hit by a bozo who ran a red light. They had to replace the air spring at $770 plus labor (guess it was another $800)! When the body shop got done, another a week at the dealer to adjust the suspension because the rear kept dropping with the engine off. They replaced the other air spring and returned it to the bodyshop. I picked up the car yesterday and it had a fault with the air suspension. Back at the dealer for them to work on again. Either the dealer is worthless or this suspension is a nightmare to work on!

Sorry about the rant...

BoBcanada

I had my steering off the center they've fixed, I wondered why they checked my airmatic height.

ATS

They had the car for a week and were unable to replicate the problem. It seems for the first couple days they kept the car nice and warm (20C / 70F). Anyways, they kept it outside for 2 days and were unable to replicate it there as well - It was over 0C outside..

Thanks for the TSB, it applies if the temp goes below -9C which it was when the car was acting up in my garage.. I guess I have to wait.
I am not planning on putting snows on my car as I am not going to be taking it out that much in the salt so who knows if I will ever be able to take the car to them with the problem..