Ms.S430

Hi Guys...... I hope somebody can lead me in the right direction.

I have a 2002 s430 and my front passenger side will not raise up. I was told by the dealer that I can purchase a strut repair kit. Will this fix my problem. Will I also need to change the suspension compressor and relay. I stay pretty far from the local MB dealer. I have taken my car two different independent mechanics and I was told two different diagnois. One stated that all I needed was a kit and the other stated that I need to replace the strut, compressor and suspension holes. Can you someone give some help here? I am really confused about what to do. I really hard throwing good money after bad.


Thanks

whoover

If the dealer says you need a strut repair kit, you probably need it. The relay is cheap, and is a good idea. If the compressor has failed because you went too long before you did the strut repair, you will know (the suspension still won't raise properly).

vmystikilv

Have you actually seen the leak? The Fuse may just be burnt out or you may just need a new relay. If you are trying to figure out what is actually wrong there is a soapy spray water test on the top of the strut. If its leaking air than all you might need is the repair kit. If not, and its still leaking, then you have a leak else where. The fuse and relay you can do yourself. My relay and fuse both went out and after replacing havent had a problem since. If your front is low, you should here the pump trying to work, if not, hopefully you did not burn the pump out. Check the fuse to see if its blown, and, if your relay doesn't say "hella" then you need to replace it anyways.If the fuse and relay are fine and you hear no pump then its prob gone. Find out that stuff and get back with us for further help.

Skylaw

If the dealer has properly run his diagnostics, he can tell you exactly what you need. If he replaces the upper front strut seals, you may need no other parts - just as whoover said. Replacing the relay is a good idea in any case. Your pump is expensive - I wouldn't replace it unless 1) the diagnostics indicate it is bad, or 2) it fails to raise the car after the seal replacement.

Ms.S430

where did you purchase the fuse and relay at? Is this something that I can purchase online?

aflame

I have a 2001 S430 that had the same problem. All you need is the new kit. You do NOT have to replace the struts. There is no difference in ride or handling afterward.

Skylaw

You can get the relay at auto parts stores or from the dealership (at twice the price). http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...ump-relay.html

Mbholm

I have been trying to avoid the dealership and I did some research on strut repair kits. Every place I asked they said why would I want to do that it will just blow out again. Others said there is no such thing, I said but why would they make a kit repair if it can't be done? I said because I don't have 1,000 for a strut. My right front passenger side went out. The lowest quote I received has been $850. Is it just because I'm a female that they are giving me the run around? It sounds like the dealership will do it though so maybe I will give them a call and see what there cost is.

cavisboung

The Fuse may just be burnt out or you may just need a new relay

Mbholm

Spoke to dealership, they don't do strut repairs. He said bring the car in. He said if its down on one side its most likely the strut is out but it will have to be replaced not repaired. U don't understand why all of these other post have had strut repair, why can't my dealership.

Quadcammer

you guys need different dealers.

if you can't find anyone...www.arnottindustries.com

luckily, the compressor isn't that expensive if you smoked it.

Mbholm

I was supposed to take car to dealership today but work prevented me from getting there. The cars right side has been lowered for 5 days and tonight I get out of work and it starts to raise the stop car to low warning. Goes out? Then about 5 miles it comes back on what is really going on with the car. Struts or posse


ssed

Skylaw

When the dealership says they don't do strut repairs, they may be saying they don't do internal rebuilds of a strut. The only folks I know who do that is Arnott.

If your strut is leaking at the top seal, there is a kit that can repair it, and a dealer should certainly know about it and be able to do the work. However, a strut can fail in ways other than the top seal.

The $850 quote you got is in line with replacing a strut with a rebuilt Arnott strut. The strut itself would be approximately half of the repair cost. Yesterday I heard an independent shop give an estimate of $1100 to replace a S-Class rear strut with a new Arnott strut. The $850 repair is not out of line.

There is no way to properly diagnose the symptoms you describe over the internet. We can only speculate that in addition to strut damage, you may now also have a failing relay or a failing Airmatic compressor - or a bad valve block. I could even envision a bad ride height sensor (e.g., a disconnected link on the sensor sometimes catching on its attachment point, and sometimes not catching it. But all that is just speculation. You need to have a dealer or an MB certified independent look at it.

geraldmcd.

I have a 02 mercedes s430 we replaced the airride struts all around now the car will only raise when the tech puts power into the compressor from an out side source. and then its just the driver side that raises. any advice would greatly be appreciated

vmystikilv

bad airmatic valve block, bad airmatic control module, bad relay. those are the things I would look at if all struts have been replaced and still not working.