Airmatic Trouble, '02 S430
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 121
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From: USA
2005 E320
Airmatic Trouble, '02 S430
I've attached a pic to show how low the car is sitting. The RF is also low but not as bad as the LF.
When I start the car it rises back up to normal height and the "low ride height" message disappears. When I turn the engine off I hear a very faint hissing sound (like a slow air leak) coming from the area around the LF bellows. I hear the same thing from the RF but it's even more faint than the LF. It takes about 1 day of sitting in the garage for it to go from normal height back down to bottomed out.
I've also attached some pics of the left and right side bellows. They are obviously damaged. Could this be the only problem or might it be more serious?
Thanks in advance for any help.
'02 S430
Approx. 85,000 mi.
No after-market mods
When I start the car it rises back up to normal height and the "low ride height" message disappears. When I turn the engine off I hear a very faint hissing sound (like a slow air leak) coming from the area around the LF bellows. I hear the same thing from the RF but it's even more faint than the LF. It takes about 1 day of sitting in the garage for it to go from normal height back down to bottomed out.
I've also attached some pics of the left and right side bellows. They are obviously damaged. Could this be the only problem or might it be more serious?
Thanks in advance for any help.
'02 S430
Approx. 85,000 mi.
No after-market mods
Last edited by jkv11503; Nov 9, 2009 at 05:46 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 730
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From: Puerto Rico
2005 SL55 AMG, 1986 Porsche 930S, 1996 Porsche 993tt
here's the link for the parts that you will probably need.
car needs to be check for front air shock.
http://arnottinc.com/part_MERCEDES-B...18_pid126.html
car needs to be check for front air shock.
http://arnottinc.com/part_MERCEDES-B...18_pid126.html
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: USA
2005 E320
here's the link for the parts that you will probably need.
car needs to be check for front air shock.
http://arnottinc.com/part_MERCEDES-B...18_pid126.html
car needs to be check for front air shock.
http://arnottinc.com/part_MERCEDES-B...18_pid126.html
Do any of you members know if this remanufactured shock will perform as well as the OEM? I know that's not saying much.
The reason I ask is that the website info for this product reads "We improved the upper seal design, and use a O-ring sealing technology, rather than the original epoxy that cracked, causing leaks and other damage." I read in a seperate forum that the epoxy is used to prevent damage to other parts over time, so I'm a little concerned that it has been replaced with an O-ring.
Last edited by jkv11503; Nov 9, 2009 at 10:36 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 254
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There is a repair kit available from Mercedes to correct this issue. Ask your local dealer about it and the repair.
As for what you call the bellows, those do not affect the functionality of the struts and can be left as is.
As for what you call the bellows, those do not affect the functionality of the struts and can be left as is.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Interesting,, I didn't know that. At 50,000 my dealer told me he installed a new seal kit on the front shocks under warraty .. Would this be the kit?
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 624
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From: Las Vegas
1987 190E 2.3
The top of the struts tend to leak. If you raise the hood and check around the top of the struts for cracks around where the air line goes in.
You can replace the damaged part (that is the repair kit). Few hundred dollars at the dealer vs several thousand.
You can replace the damaged part (that is the repair kit). Few hundred dollars at the dealer vs several thousand.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Perhaps that is what my dealer installed the kit. If you replace the strut with reman does it come with the "kit".
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Super Member
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From: Las Vegas
1987 190E 2.3
leaks... install kit, leaks... replace strut, leaks... install kit, leaks... replace strut...
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