S-Class (W220) 1999-2006: S 320 CDI, S 320, S430, S 500, S 600

Should I replace Airmatic seals as precaution

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Old 01-30-2007, 04:09 PM
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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
Old 01-30-2007, 04:15 PM
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Are the original owner of the car? If not, consult to see if the car has had them replaced. A 2000 going 86k miles without a single Airmatic failure is quite a feat.
Old 01-30-2007, 06:21 PM
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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
Old 01-30-2007, 08:24 PM
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Originally Posted by mittalv
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
Vikram...you are a Thinking man....fore warned is fore armed.
Old 01-30-2007, 09:38 PM
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sounds good to me
Old 01-31-2007, 07:04 PM
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Exclamation

Originally Posted by mittalv
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
It's a great idea to do it just in case. But It's a Rip OFF 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; 01-31-2007 at 07:07 PM.
Old 01-31-2007, 11:02 PM
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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

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