WinterPark321

Hi I noticed my 2011 GL550 front air suspension is dropping overnight. The height from the tire to the fender is usually 4 or 5 fingers tall, but overnight I measure the height and its around 1 finger tall, so front air suspension is definitely dropping. I usually get all my parts from FCP Euro so I noticed two options:

#1: Mercedes Air Strut Assembly Kit - Bilstein 44156268KT $2148.84 OR
#2 Mercedes Air Spring - Arnott 1643206113 $353.90 x2 = $707.80

Which one have you guys used? For option #1, it is replacing the entire shock, so it ships preassembled, whereas in option #2, the air spring is only shipped. Has anyone done #2 on this forum before and had any failures just by replacing the air spring instead of the entire shock?

DennisG01

Arnott gives a lifetime warranty, themselves - so whether you go through FCP or not, you'll get the warranty. I would check directly with Arnott to see what's what. I replaced the entire strut as a kit/unit and it was roughly that price for the whole thing. That was directly through Arnott. I don't have ADS - don't know if you do, or not - not sure how that changes the price, though.

DarthVaderpa

The price of the Bilstein is for two full struts. You just remove the hole strut and replace it.
If you decide and go with the Arnott's you need to disassemble the strut and replace the air spring. A little more work, not counting that shock shock absorber might need also replacement. For only $192.02 more you can get a set of full Arnott, the price of the full strut is $449.91 each x2= $899.82 (FCP Euro ID: 394989). Either buying from FCP or directly from Arnott you get life time warranty.

arnottdoug

Thank you for posting this video review of front air struts. Very interesting. As the video notes, Arnott has improved upon the OE design by adding the bottom isolator seal and replaced the top seal. Arnott uses tier one (OE Quality) components such as oil resistant o-rings and a multi-ply, cross hatch, Continental ContiTech rubber air spring along with heavy duty crimping rings. The internal damper is also recharged with high-performance shock oil and worn internal components such as the rod guides and seal pack are replaced. The clean finish on the Arnott strut is thanks to a process that steam cleans and then media blasts the strut (like sand blasting) which removes all paint and corrosion before being repainted with corrosion resistant paint. They are also computer dyno tested to assure full OE damping functionality.

If the new rear air spring ever develops a leak - Arnott does have replacement air springs for AMG and non-AMG models. We also have a front air spring if you wanted to reuse your OE (or Arnott) shock (damper) and Arnott designed new front struts which do not support the SUV's active damping but have zero miles and are tuned (valved) to ride like the OE. Of course all Arnott shocks, springs and both new and reman struts come with a Limited Lifetime Warranty (for as long as you own the vehicle) in North America and a 2 - Year warranty elsewhere.

Here is a link to Arnott parts for the X164: https://www.arnottindustries.com/amf...ds-2010-233159

lkchris

Why would you assume the life of the shock absorber portion of the strut is greater than the air spring portion?

I’d think at 8 years it’s likely time to replace everything.