Should I replace Airmatic seals as precaution
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Lexington, MA 02421
2014 GL450
Should I replace Airmatic seals as precaution
Hello All,
My 2000 S430 has 86K miles on it. I am planning to get the dealer to replace the front strut seals prophylactically (as a precaution).
What do the forum members think. Based on all I've read, it is only a matter of time before these seals go. On top of that, if the struts have minor leaks, they will overwork the air-pump that will also fail.
My thought is that if I have the seals replaced now (may also replace the air-pump relay), I should be in good shape.
Should I also be replacing the rear strut seals. Do these leak as often or is it just the front.
Thanks All.
Regards,
Vikram
My 2000 S430 has 86K miles on it. I am planning to get the dealer to replace the front strut seals prophylactically (as a precaution).
What do the forum members think. Based on all I've read, it is only a matter of time before these seals go. On top of that, if the struts have minor leaks, they will overwork the air-pump that will also fail.
My thought is that if I have the seals replaced now (may also replace the air-pump relay), I should be in good shape.
Should I also be replacing the rear strut seals. Do these leak as often or is it just the front.
Thanks All.
Regards,
Vikram
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Lexington, MA 02421
2014 GL450
Yes, 86K miles on original Airmatic!
I called the MBZ dealer and he went back to 22,000 miles and the seals have never been done! He said that the rear rarely go bad and that I should just get the fronts re-sealed for $600 (parts + labor).
I will drive it in tomorrow night. Hopefully the airmatic holds out until then... I will also buy another air-pump relay from the dealer while I am there and replace it myself. Why keep it in the glovebox!? I'll keep the old one in the glovebox as a spare.
Regards,
Vikram
I will drive it in tomorrow night. Hopefully the airmatic holds out until then... I will also buy another air-pump relay from the dealer while I am there and replace it myself. Why keep it in the glovebox!? I'll keep the old one in the glovebox as a spare.
Regards,
Vikram
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 790
Likes: 17
From: West Palm Beach
2004 S500
I called the MBZ dealer and he went back to 22,000 miles and the seals have never been done! He said that the rear rarely go bad and that I should just get the fronts re-sealed for $600 (parts + labor).
I will drive it in tomorrow night. Hopefully the airmatic holds out until then... I will also buy another air-pump relay from the dealer while I am there and replace it myself. Why keep it in the glovebox!? I'll keep the old one in the glovebox as a spare.
Regards,
Vikram
I will drive it in tomorrow night. Hopefully the airmatic holds out until then... I will also buy another air-pump relay from the dealer while I am there and replace it myself. Why keep it in the glovebox!? I'll keep the old one in the glovebox as a spare.
Regards,
Vikram
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 56
Likes: 2
From: Россия
2005 S500 4matic
I called the MBZ dealer and he went back to 22,000 miles and the seals have never been done! He said that the rear rarely go bad and that I should just get the fronts re-sealed for $600 (parts + labor).
I will drive it in tomorrow night. Hopefully the airmatic holds out until then... I will also buy another air-pump relay from the dealer while I am there and replace it myself. Why keep it in the glovebox!? I'll keep the old one in the glovebox as a spare.
Regards,
Vikram
I will drive it in tomorrow night. Hopefully the airmatic holds out until then... I will also buy another air-pump relay from the dealer while I am there and replace it myself. Why keep it in the glovebox!? I'll keep the old one in the glovebox as a spare.
Regards,
Vikram
Don't go with that price!!! It's a NO NO I'm telling you.All you need is 2 of these tops A2203202538. You can Order them through these guys
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...?siteid=213951
or
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...89&catalogid=0
And only pay for labor. I mean It's a $200 job at most.
Best of luck!
Last edited by Singularity; Jan 31, 2007 at 07:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Lexington, MA 02421
2014 GL450
I called a couple of independant euro repair shops and most of them have never really done the re-seal of the airmatic struts. Therefore, I have no choice but the local MBZ dealer who wants $600.
Does anyone know what the official estimate from MBZ is for resealing the front struts?
Regards,
Vikram
Does anyone know what the official estimate from MBZ is for resealing the front struts?
Regards,
Vikram
