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I have bad upper shock mounts inside both of my front airmatic struts and since I like to tinker I don't want to go the easy route of buying 2 complete struts for 800euro each. (ok,I'm cheap also....)
The shock mounts can be bought for 10eur so that's under control. (marked "x")
What I would like to ask and have some input on is how the struts are put together, On the shock tube there seem to be some kind of mount or body which the air bellow is in turn crimped on with a steel ring, but how is that body held onto the shock tube?
Slipfit?
Pressfit?
Glued?
Will it take an act of god?
If that can be removed easily I don't have to mess with the airbellow but if it is impossible to remove and install I have to cut the steel ring holding the air bellow and crimp on a new.
I have measured and it can be done in the hose crimping machine my local hydraulic shop has.
This is years late as a reply but I had not taken an interest until now. I thought your question was fantastic and also that the graphic you provided was very helpful. I generally undertake my investigations in this area on a very limited basis at the "arm chair" internet searching level. My review of the area always leads me to Russian (and other Eastern European) sites. Nothing I have seen (or been able to interpret) involves proper attachment of the binding. I doubt I would have continued but I found an exchange by a couple hilarious Russians (or at least it was in Russian) on a MNWorld style message board. A member reported in allegory style how he had taken his W/S211 to "a farmer" who claimed a secret to fixing his leaking strut. The farmer sprayed sealant into a front strut through the main inlet/outlet (which I believe routes through a valve arrangement unique to Bilstein's design for the W211). Anyway, the fatalism and comic relief with which this member and another talk about the likely disaster to the entire air suspension system was raging with barbs and good will. Since, I had an 06 sedan and purchased an 04 wagon (both E500) on a quest for short cuts . . . If I find the link for the exchange I will post it here. In the mean time, in case you have maintained an interest in this topic, I am posting a link to what appears to be details on how managing some aspect of a rebuild. https://pnevmo-podveska.com/instrukc...lona_w211.html If you made any progress with your question to manage the struts as repairable (if only temporarily) and have time, please do supplement your 2019 post. Moderators: if there is anyting improper about this reply . . . please advise and I will remove it.
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