Who sells new front air struts for E550?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 88
Likes: 12
2011 E550, 1999 E320
DIY front air strut replacement for 2011 E550 without 4matic
Just replaced my rear air struts and the car is holding level overnight which is terrific. But I believe that even though the front is not leaking the damper portion of the air strut is bad because they’re making noise over rough roads I’m aware that Arno sells remanufactured struts along with some others on eBay but I can’t seem to find anybody that sells new air struts so I can be assured that the hydraulic portion of the struts will be new and not just replaced airbags on refurbished units.
Last edited by Paulcomi; Apr 5, 2019 at 04:13 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,549
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
For the W212, I believe you're pretty much limited to MB. They just didn't sell that many systems, airmatic became optional at one point and the E550 stopped production after 2014. You can probably shop some of the online MB dealers that discount.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 88
Likes: 12
2011 E550, 1999 E320
what vendors are you guys using?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,630
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
You can start here: https://www.mbdirectparts.com/ however, current part # left 2123203138 & right 2123203238 will now have 80 added which means MB re-manufactured (MB part warranty 1 year).
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 88
Likes: 12
2011 E550, 1999 E320
You can start here: https://www.mbdirectparts.com/ however, current part # left 2123203138 & right 2123203238 will now have 80 added which means MB re-manufactured (MB part warranty 1 year).
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 377
Likes: 98
From: Savannah, GA
2010 W212 E550 4matic
Arnott used to sell them for a few months late last year, price was 749$ with core in. It seems like they don't have them for sale anymore for whatever reason. Try giving them a call, maybe there's something wrong with their website. https://www.arnottindustries.com/pro...c-ads-incl-amg
Banned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,957
Likes: 1,640
Clunking, banging, squeaking, knocking can be caused by so many things in the front end, you need to be 100% sure it’s the strut before changing it out. Nothing worse than complaining about the cost of a part in advance and replacing it only to find out it was something else. A double whammy.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 88
Likes: 12
2011 E550, 1999 E320
You know that’s why I brought the car originally to a dealership to get a full diagnostic just to put my finger on what was actually going on and I basically found myself in a beartrap that I had to extract myself from I still never found out what the sound was in the front
Clunking, banging, squeaking, knocking can be caused by so many things in the front end, you need to be 100% sure it’s the strut before changing it out. Nothing worse than complaining about the cost of a part in advance and replacing it only to find out it was something else. A double whammy.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 88
Likes: 12
2011 E550, 1999 E320
I’m suspecting that the strut itself, not the airbag portion, is what is making these noises. Has anyone checked their struts by releasing the air in the airbags in front to check them? If not how else do you determine if they’re in good nick?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,630
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ml#post7707789
Last edited by konigstiger; Apr 1, 2019 at 10:51 AM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 88
Likes: 12
2011 E550, 1999 E320
No because that information came after I had picked up the car
Was suggested/attached bulletin recommending control unit update ever discussed with dealer? Independents with Xentry also have this ability.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ml#post7707789
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ml#post7707789
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 88
Likes: 12
2011 E550, 1999 E320
I spoke to Arnott today and they eased my mind I don’t believe that my front struts are a problem. You can push up and down on the car and if the front struts are going bad you would be able to tell and I know I’m not losing pressure because the car is maintaining its ride height overnight it hasn’t had to do any vehicle rising for three days now so I’m thrilled I must have a bad bushing or something
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 88
Likes: 12
2011 E550, 1999 E320
I had the car looked at yesterday by an independent who took a test drive and he agreed it sounds like a bad strut in the front air strut.
Frim what I now understand the companies who sell refurbished air struts for these w212 cars only do a send in refurbish service because the strut itself is a sealed shock that cannot be refurbished.they rebuild the airbag top but if the oil filled shock portion is bad it won’t improve. That’s why cores are in such short supply.
Looks like my best option like others have said is to buy new parts from MB.
Frim what I now understand the companies who sell refurbished air struts for these w212 cars only do a send in refurbish service because the strut itself is a sealed shock that cannot be refurbished.they rebuild the airbag top but if the oil filled shock portion is bad it won’t improve. That’s why cores are in such short supply.
Looks like my best option like others have said is to buy new parts from MB.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 293
Likes: 53
From: Hollywood, CA
Tectitgrau S210
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 293
Likes: 53
From: Hollywood, CA
Tectitgrau S210
EDIT: my symptoms were clunking when cold over bumps but would go away as the car warmed up.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 88
Likes: 12
2011 E550, 1999 E320
Tip for identifying the source of airmatic suspension noise
Just thought I would pass along something that successfully identified the source of my front end suspension noise. Using an Apple AirPod and a strip of black plumbers tape which is pretty much like electrical tape I stuck the AirPod to the top of my air strut and went for a short ride and listened to the recording and compared it to the other strut. I heard a definite clicking popping and clunking which coincided with bumps in the road.
To verify it was the strut I did the same side-by-side comparison securing the AirPod microphone to the side of the strut below the airbag next to the wheel And just as a baseline comparison I attached the AirPod microphone to a suspension arm on the noisy side of the car and listened to it.
Now that I have a very strong suspicion that the strut itself is bad I was able to order the part through one of my local Mercedes dealers and they even gave me a discount off and online source. Hope this helps others.
To verify it was the strut I did the same side-by-side comparison securing the AirPod microphone to the side of the strut below the airbag next to the wheel And just as a baseline comparison I attached the AirPod microphone to a suspension arm on the noisy side of the car and listened to it.
Now that I have a very strong suspicion that the strut itself is bad I was able to order the part through one of my local Mercedes dealers and they even gave me a discount off and online source. Hope this helps others.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 88
Likes: 12
2011 E550, 1999 E320
For others looking to replace their front airmatic struts I have learned that the w212 airmatic strut for cars without 4matic are not like other airmatic struts. Some companies advertise that they will rebuild these struts but what they don’t tell you is that they do not rebuilt the strut-just the airbag top of the strut.
These w212 front air struts are dead when the oil filled strut shock goes bad so if you have one rebuilt the bag will hold air but the strut will be in the same condition the as you send to them. If yours goes bad like my drivers side did you have to get an OEM Mercedes part which now are being sold as remanufactired or try your luck with a salvage or used part.
These w212 front air struts are dead when the oil filled strut shock goes bad so if you have one rebuilt the bag will hold air but the strut will be in the same condition the as you send to them. If yours goes bad like my drivers side did you have to get an OEM Mercedes part which now are being sold as remanufactired or try your luck with a salvage or used part.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,957
Likes: 1,640
Just thought I would pass along something that successfully identified the source of my front end suspension noise. Using an Apple AirPod and a strip of black plumbers tape which is pretty much like electrical tape I stuck the AirPod to the top of my air strut and went for a short ride and listened to the recording and compared it to the other strut. I heard a definite clicking popping and clunking which coincided with bumps in the road.
To verify it was the strut I did the same side-by-side comparison securing the AirPod microphone to the side of the strut below the airbag next to the wheel And just as a baseline comparison I attached the AirPod microphone to a suspension arm on the noisy side of the car and listened to it.
Now that I have a very strong suspicion that the strut itself is bad I was able to order the part through one of my local Mercedes dealers and they even gave me a discount off and online source. Hope this helps others.
To verify it was the strut I did the same side-by-side comparison securing the AirPod microphone to the side of the strut below the airbag next to the wheel And just as a baseline comparison I attached the AirPod microphone to a suspension arm on the noisy side of the car and listened to it.
Now that I have a very strong suspicion that the strut itself is bad I was able to order the part through one of my local Mercedes dealers and they even gave me a discount off and online source. Hope this helps others.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 293
Likes: 53
From: Hollywood, CA
Tectitgrau S210
For others looking to replace their front airmatic struts I have learned that the w212 airmatic strut for cars without 4matic are not like other airmatic struts. Some companies advertise that they will rebuild these struts but what they don’t tell you is that they do not rebuilt the strut-just the airbag top of the strut.
These w212 front air struts are dead when the oil filled strut shock goes bad so if you have one rebuilt the bag will hold air but the strut will be in the same condition the as you send to them. If yours goes bad like my drivers side did you have to get an OEM Mercedes part which now are being sold as remanufactired or try your luck with a salvage or used part.
These w212 front air struts are dead when the oil filled strut shock goes bad so if you have one rebuilt the bag will hold air but the strut will be in the same condition the as you send to them. If yours goes bad like my drivers side did you have to get an OEM Mercedes part which now are being sold as remanufactired or try your luck with a salvage or used part.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 88
Likes: 12
2011 E550, 1999 E320
Well the best that I could get OEM for was $1000 and that’s through a dealer giving me almost a $200 discount so it’s a hard pill to swallow
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 293
Likes: 53
From: Hollywood, CA
Tectitgrau S210
hmmm price must have went up about $60-70 bux. I paid $742.50 left side and $752.40 right side (+ 2x $115 core, which I did get back) from OEMBenzPart in the August of 2018
https://www.oembenzparts.com/oem-par...t-212320323880
https://www.oembenzparts.com/oem-par...t-212320313880
https://www.oembenzparts.com/oem-par...t-212320323880
https://www.oembenzparts.com/oem-par...t-212320313880
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 88
Likes: 12
2011 E550, 1999 E320
Thats great pricing. I’ll keeo that for the right side
hmmm price must have went up about $60-70 bux. I paid $742.50 left side and $752.40 right side (+ 2x $115 core, which I did get back) from OEMBenzPart in the August of 2018
https://www.oembenzparts.com/oem-par...t-212320323880
https://www.oembenzparts.com/oem-par...t-212320313880
https://www.oembenzparts.com/oem-par...t-212320323880
https://www.oembenzparts.com/oem-par...t-212320313880
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 88
Likes: 12
2011 E550, 1999 E320
DIY front left airmatic strut replacement done
Well it wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be. I just installed and road tested my car after replacing the drivers left side aromatic strut with a factory remanufactured unit. The knocking sound is gone which confirms that even though the air strut held air the oil filled strut went bad.
If if this happens to your vehicle there’s no point in sending.your bad strut to a rebuilder. These struts are a sealed unit that can’t be rebuilt so all you’ll get for the $500+ is your bad strut back with a new air bellows.
I was really hesitant to begin this because other videos and DIY‘s on doing this on other models show having two separate bowl joints which I’m hesitant to do. I shot some video as I was doing the process of removing and reinstalling so if there’s any interest I will share what I learned in the process
My right front aromatic strut is not making any noise and has not leaked or given me any reason to replace it and at $1000 I’m just not willing to do it yet although The boot is trashed so I may remove it just to install a new boot. No one seems to have one in stock so looks like I’ll have to find one online
If if this happens to your vehicle there’s no point in sending.your bad strut to a rebuilder. These struts are a sealed unit that can’t be rebuilt so all you’ll get for the $500+ is your bad strut back with a new air bellows.
I was really hesitant to begin this because other videos and DIY‘s on doing this on other models show having two separate bowl joints which I’m hesitant to do. I shot some video as I was doing the process of removing and reinstalling so if there’s any interest I will share what I learned in the process
My right front aromatic strut is not making any noise and has not leaked or given me any reason to replace it and at $1000 I’m just not willing to do it yet although The boot is trashed so I may remove it just to install a new boot. No one seems to have one in stock so looks like I’ll have to find one online
Last edited by Paulcomi; Apr 5, 2019 at 04:17 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 377
Likes: 98
From: Savannah, GA
2010 W212 E550 4matic
I'd like to see that video. I think mine need replacing too. Both of them make knocking noises when it's colder out. There's no oil seepage though. Did you see any of that on your bad strut?
