2001 S430 Front Suspension High

Nov 1, 2008 | 07:22 PM

njcycleguy

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S430

2001 S430 Front Suspension High

We recently started driving our '01 S430 (has been in the garage for most of the summer) and noticed that the car's front suspension seems to be stuck in the "high" mode. When I press the suspension button on the console, the front end makes a noise but the car does not do anything - it used to raise the car. The car has about 110k on it. Anything I should check or just bring it to the stealer?

Nov 2, 2008 | 12:37 PM

Skylaw

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From: Tampa, FL

2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL

The problem you describe is inconsistent - on the one hand it sounds like a leak - the noise you hear is likely the Airmatic pump pressurizing the system. However, if a leak were the problem, the front end would probably sit low, not high. Is it possible the rear end is low?

It could be a ride height sensor problem. Best to let a dealer see it.

Apr 7, 2011 | 01:15 PM

MBS430GOLD

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2001 S430

Hey guys, I'm seriously in need of my fellows BENZ owners & experienced Benz technicians in this forum. I havd 2001 S430, few weeks back I had suspension problems on the driver side which I bought Arnott suspension to replaced it, 3 wks after it was replaced, It went down again which I got a replacement from Arnott suspension, we installed that but that was damaged/leaking, So I returned it back to the company "Arnott" and got a replacement the next day delivery; by the way that's the third suspension. Now, after that was installed yesterday which I started my car and everything came up fine but I noticed few minutes later that both the driver side and the back on the driver side bent which basically means all my passenger side are OK/UP while the driver side and back side of the driver side bent to a side. I pushed the button on the dash it shows the vehicle is RISING and once I turn OFF the button the side went down again and my PUMP is working fine. No sign of leaking on the suspension that I replaced on the driver side. Meanwhile, If I pressed the rise button b4 I replaced the front driver side all other 3 will rised up except for the front driver side that was bad. Please, at this point am very fraustrated with this car, Is there any FUSEe that need to be checked since both front and back driver side bent one side?
Any suggestions will great appreciated pls.

Thanks you all.

Apr 7, 2011 | 06:49 PM

tusabes

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Mercedes

I think its time to stop trying to repair it by yourself and use a real shop.

Sounds like the valve block is bad

Apr 8, 2011 | 08:34 AM

MBS430GOLD

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2001 S430

Hey TUSABES, Honestly, I never did all these by myself, I took the car to the workshop but not MB dealership workshop. I believed what you just mentioned "valve block" might just be the right thing causing my problem, like I said in my first posting, all the passenger side both front and back are up normally which makes me thing my pump is good and am not hearing any humimg/grinding noise from the pump, except for my driver side both front and back the bent over to the side and if I pressed the raising button in the car they all rise up but never rise up to the passenger side and once the button is turn off the went back down and bent to a side on driver side. I will call the mechanic ths morning and ask him to check the valve block. I will definitely keep you posted and if you think of anything else, pls. keep me inform cos I was thinking of going to tow my car to another workshop which a friend just refer me to last night but I don't want them to ask me to pay for another strut cos I just bought the replacement this week Tuesday.

Thank you.

Apr 8, 2011 | 08:39 AM

MBS430GOLD

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2001 S430

Pls. where is the v alve block located and what does it looks like incase I need to explain to the mechanic this morning.

Apr 8, 2011 | 08:47 AM

Skylaw

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Joined: Dec 2004

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From: Tampa, FL

2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL

I agree that it sounds like a bad valve block. It is located directly above the pump. And you need a mechanic who knows and understands these systems.