Front Left Air Spring Strut Exploded
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 791
Likes: 37
From: Detroit Area
W203 C230, W210 E350, W166 ML63
Front Left Air Spring Strut Exploded
Driving yesterday, heard a huge boom. I thought I ran over something so pulled over and heard hissing. Checked my tires for damage, found none. Then noticed the dust casing on my strut was mangled indicating the strut bag had failed. Did not get a malfunction for a few minutes on the dash but eventually did.
I was going to go the Arnott route but ended up finding OEMs for a couple hundred dollars more.
My question is, is it okay to drive to my mechanic to help install with the bag exploded? Should I pull a relay to not let the compressor run?
I was going to go the Arnott route but ended up finding OEMs for a couple hundred dollars more.
My question is, is it okay to drive to my mechanic to help install with the bag exploded? Should I pull a relay to not let the compressor run?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
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From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Yes, I would pull the relay and it would depend on the speed traveling and distance if I drove. Front strut? Have it towed. Rear air bag, DIY in your driveway in 15 minutes.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 791
Likes: 37
From: Detroit Area
W203 C230, W210 E350, W166 ML63
Besides the obvious, compressor damage/suspension damage. What would you say the other negative effects of driving with a bad bag in the front is? Mechanic is about 5 miles away.
I have AAA so can easily request a tow - hard part is actually getting them to come. Happened last summer when I blew a tire. Tow company kept pushing back the estimated arrival.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,315
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From: Baltimore County, MD
'13 s212 63 p30. '06 LX470
thanks, yep I did the rear bags at home 4ish years ago. Failure mode wasn’t an explosion like the fronts though, so that was interesting.
Besides the obvious, compressor damage/suspension damage. What would you say the other negative effects of driving with a bad bag in the front is? Mechanic is about 5 miles away.
I have AAA so can easily request a tow - hard part is actually getting them to come. Happened last summer when I blew a tire. Tow company kept pushing back the estimated arrival.
Besides the obvious, compressor damage/suspension damage. What would you say the other negative effects of driving with a bad bag in the front is? Mechanic is about 5 miles away.
I have AAA so can easily request a tow - hard part is actually getting them to come. Happened last summer when I blew a tire. Tow company kept pushing back the estimated arrival.
don’t let the tow drive driver ruin your car… I would just pull the relay and drive slow as long as there is no rubbing. Some people have used a wooden block in the suspension to keep it up if need be. Depending on your capabilities, a front air shock is not hard at all, but you’ll need the tools for front suspension and to make sure everything is clocked properly when you tighten up the nuts in the end.
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Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 80
Likes: 33
2015 ml63 amg (w166/m157) | 2015 g550 (w463/m273)
Driving yesterday, heard a huge boom. I thought I ran over something so pulled over and heard hissing. Checked my tires for damage, found none. Then noticed the dust casing on my strut was mangled indicating the strut bag had failed. Did not get a malfunction for a few minutes on the dash but eventually did.
I was going to go the Arnott route but ended up finding OEMs for a couple hundred dollars more.
My question is, is it okay to drive to my mechanic to help install with the bag exploded? Should I pull a relay to not let the compressor run?
I was going to go the Arnott route but ended up finding OEMs for a couple hundred dollars more.
My question is, is it okay to drive to my mechanic to help install with the bag exploded? Should I pull a relay to not let the compressor run?
