I See tiny Small Hair Line Crack On Top Of Strut
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From: Chicopee Ma
White S63 AMG W/Designo Interior
I See tiny Small Hair Line Crack On Top Of Strut
I see a tiny small hair line crack on top of strut is that normal?noticed it about 3 weeks ago....just didnt think anything of it since everything is working fine??
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From: Tampa, FL
2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
No, it is not normal; unfortunately, it is frequent. It is an indication of a weakening of the strut seal, and will eventually result in a leak. There are kits to replace the upper strut seals - they run about $550 or so, labor included.
You can do it yourself, but it requires a special tool. See https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w220/106930-airmatic-repairs-suck.html and https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w220/198223-airmatic-strut-rebuild.html and http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...nt-struts.html
Letting this leak develop can cause your airmatic pump to run excessively and burn itself out.
A search on "Airmatic" will get you lots more information; include "leak" or "repair" in your search to narrow it.
You can do it yourself, but it requires a special tool. See https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w220/106930-airmatic-repairs-suck.html and https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w220/198223-airmatic-strut-rebuild.html and http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...nt-struts.html
Letting this leak develop can cause your airmatic pump to run excessively and burn itself out.
A search on "Airmatic" will get you lots more information; include "leak" or "repair" in your search to narrow it.
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From: Chicopee Ma
White S63 AMG W/Designo Interior
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I noticed from the pics its the tiny hairline splits on the outter part.... Now this might sound crazy but for a temp fix how does apoxy sound on the cracks or liquid cement? for those who dont wanna do the Fix asap -
I have a very small one growing and was thinking about doing that for the meanwhile untill im ready to do the full repair.
NOT talking about a full tube of apoxy... just alittle to seal the hairlines.
I have a very small one growing and was thinking about doing that for the meanwhile untill im ready to do the full repair.
NOT talking about a full tube of apoxy... just alittle to seal the hairlines.
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From: Tampa, FL
2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
The hairline cracks are in a mastic that keeps the brass valve from vibrating and cracking. The cracks are present because the metal under the mastic is beginning to crack, which is what will cause the leak.
This could be more easily seen in the older style mounts, because there was no mastic. Post #18 at https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...=airmatic+seal has pictures of 1) the newer, Hella relay that is less problematic than the original one in older models; 2) a newer strut mount, and 3) the older style seal, without the mastic. However, something similar to (3) is below the mastic in the newer seals.
Filling the cracks in the mastic won't do you any good.
This could be more easily seen in the older style mounts, because there was no mastic. Post #18 at https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...=airmatic+seal has pictures of 1) the newer, Hella relay that is less problematic than the original one in older models; 2) a newer strut mount, and 3) the older style seal, without the mastic. However, something similar to (3) is below the mastic in the newer seals.
Filling the cracks in the mastic won't do you any good.
Last edited by Skylaw; Oct 16, 2008 at 07:07 AM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Tampa, FL
2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
Absolutely. The parts aren't that expensive - the dealer is charging an awful lot for labor.
Just be sure your indy is an MB certified tech, or has a great deal of experience in this job.
Just be sure your indy is an MB certified tech, or has a great deal of experience in this job.
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From: Chicopee Ma
White S63 AMG W/Designo Interior
Ok so i called the indy shop, they told me $520 to replace both sides parts and labor......i called another dealer they said $650 parts and labor....i called another one they said $1100.00 wtf?the indy shop told me it was a waste of money if i did it just because the expoxy was cracking at top...
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S, GL, Escalade ESV, my shoes
Ok so i called the indy shop, they told me $520 to replace both sides parts and labor......i called another dealer they said $650 parts and labor....i called another one they said $1100.00 wtf?the indy shop told me it was a waste of money if i did it just because the expoxy was cracking at top...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 26
From: Tampa, FL
2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
Ok so i called the indy shop, they told me $520 to replace both sides parts and labor......i called another dealer they said $650 parts and labor....i called another one they said $1100.00 wtf?the indy shop told me it was a waste of money if i did it just because the expoxy was cracking at top...
The epoxy could be cracked for several reasons - severe vibration, a particularly hard 1-time strain on the suspension - or, far more often, metal fatigue at the top of the strut, causing a crack to form in the metal below the epoxy. My seals have been in place for three years and there are no cracks.
You could let it go for a bit, and listen for leaks. If the crack gets worse, there is most likely metal fatigue, and you'll need to fix it soon. If you hear a leak or if you see the car low(er) in the mornings, you'll have to act very quickly - but the repair cost from your indy shop is in line.
You could also fill the crack with a glue (epoxy cement?) - and watch it. That won't do anything to stop or prevent a leak - but it will help to see if it was a 1-time event (no further cracking), or a recurring problem (it cracks again).
Your car is already lowered, and you seem to have large wheels - your clearances could already be pretty close, and an Airmatic failure could cause damage to your wheel wells if it happened when you are driving. $$$$$
Last edited by Skylaw; Nov 4, 2008 at 03:14 PM.
