S212 replacing rear air springs...and shocks?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 85
Likes: 36
From: Birmingham, Alabama
'11 E350 4Matic Wagon
S212 replacing rear air springs...and shocks?
Hi everyone,
It's pretty obvious that my S212 needs new rear air springs/bags. I've bought the Arnott parts, I feel pretty confident in doing the job.
Looking at it again in this video (
), wouldn't it make more sense to replace the shock absorbers at the same time? The car has 150k on it, and it's just another $200 at this point.
Doing shocks would allow the control arm to drop, ergo making the bag easier to put in. Or, am I missing something? Appreciate any help that can be offered!
PS-I'm doing Bilstein B4s in the front, so I figured I'd just but them in the back, too, as I have AMG package + Avantgarde/standard suspension (which I gather is slightly lower, but not the "sports" dampers).
It's pretty obvious that my S212 needs new rear air springs/bags. I've bought the Arnott parts, I feel pretty confident in doing the job.
Looking at it again in this video (
Doing shocks would allow the control arm to drop, ergo making the bag easier to put in. Or, am I missing something? Appreciate any help that can be offered!
PS-I'm doing Bilstein B4s in the front, so I figured I'd just but them in the back, too, as I have AMG package + Avantgarde/standard suspension (which I gather is slightly lower, but not the "sports" dampers).
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 266
Likes: 305
2011 Mercedes E350 4Matic Wagon
I would suggest liberally spraying the bottom of the air spring where it sits in the control arm pocket with a good spray lubricant to help in its removal. I live in NY and when I changed out the air springs at 100k miles with the Arnotts it was a bear to unseat the bottom of the air spring because it had rust seized in the pocket. The roads by me are over salted and brined during the winter months. You shouldn't have the same problems living in Alabama but it will make the job smoother. I had to pound the crap out of it with a dead blow hammer in conjunction with the Rust Penetrant to unseat it.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 85
Likes: 36
From: Birmingham, Alabama
'11 E350 4Matic Wagon
I think so, but the roads here are awful, so I'd prefer a B4. I put them on my Saab recently and they were a huge improvement in ride and handling. B4 part number is 24-194136.
Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 75
Likes: 42
From: Long Beach, CA
2016 e350 4matic Wagon
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 85
Likes: 36
From: Birmingham, Alabama
'11 E350 4Matic Wagon
Yeah, I was looking at those: they are labeled B4, but the color is that of the B6. Backordered indefinitely, so I just went with another OEM Sachs pair. We'll see...
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 85
Likes: 36
From: Birmingham, Alabama
'11 E350 4Matic Wagon
Hi everyone,
It's pretty obvious that my S212 needs new rear air springs/bags. I've bought the Arnott parts, I feel pretty confident in doing the job.
Looking at it again in this video (
), wouldn't it make more sense to replace the shock absorbers at the same time? The car has 150k on it, and it's just another $200 at this point.
Doing shocks would allow the control arm to drop, ergo making the bag easier to put in. Or, am I missing something? Appreciate any help that can be offered!
PS-I'm doing Bilstein B4s in the front, so I figured I'd just but them in the back, too, as I have AMG package + Avantgarde/standard suspension (which I gather is slightly lower, but not the "sports" dampers).
It's pretty obvious that my S212 needs new rear air springs/bags. I've bought the Arnott parts, I feel pretty confident in doing the job.
Looking at it again in this video (
Doing shocks would allow the control arm to drop, ergo making the bag easier to put in. Or, am I missing something? Appreciate any help that can be offered!
PS-I'm doing Bilstein B4s in the front, so I figured I'd just but them in the back, too, as I have AMG package + Avantgarde/standard suspension (which I gather is slightly lower, but not the "sports" dampers).
One note, I was a little too worried about the "seal" on the top side of the air spring. I had it in position on the top and the bottom according to the marks, but it wasn't level on the top. As soon as the compressor filled it up, it was just fine. I wasted 45 minutes fooling with it when it probably would have been just fine. So, watch that.
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
Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 75
Likes: 42
From: Long Beach, CA
2016 e350 4matic Wagon
