Ebtahi98

Hi I have a 2004 Mercedes-Benz S 500 4-matic I have a question everything works 100% on my car it raises it lowers the sports at the sports selection works but I noticed sometimes when it's very cold overnight the rear of the car lowers maybe about an inch or two and then when I get back in within 45 seconds the car raises back to full height and it will stay that way all day - fit overnight the car lowers an inch or maybe more , it raises when on within a min-- is this normal ???

DunninLA

^ based on experience with our 2002 S430, I think it is your Airmatic strut that is getting old and leaking. Dealer charges $1750 to replace with new strut. Or you could get one for $400-$500 rebuilt out of Florida, and get somebody with the proper tools to install it within an hour. You have to send your removed strut back to the guys in Florida or it will cost you another $100.

Apparently the airmatic struts tend to start leaking after 10-12 years, and eventually you either have to find the leak and repair it with some type of marine sealant, or replace the strut with either new or rebuilt from Florida. Anything made of rubber-like materials in any car starts degrading the minute air hits it, and after ten or fifteen years needs attention -- bushings, hoses, etc.

You will find your car drops some nights, and not others. I don't know why but I suspect it is temperature or humidity related. The minute you unlock your car (you don't have to turn the motor on), the airmatic pump will engage and pump air back into that strut, raising the car back to normal. That takes about twenty seconds.

corkshoppe

you have a leaky strut in the rear, you can replace if you work on cars. arnott makes a better then oem shock for about $400. i wouldnt bother with sealing it, just replace it and remember if one is going out the other will soon too.

ChuckinTucson

Highly recommend the Arnott struts.

wallyp

It would have to get much worse than that before I spent a lot of money on repairs. The problem can result from one of several causes - a leaking valve, leaking air line or connection, or a leaking strut. I would suggest that you do some research on these causes, then try to determine the actual cause.

tusabes

If it only happens when its cold I wouldn't worry about it

Ebtahi98

Dunnin la / that was a great answer but how would I find a leak sit nxt to rear pass tire for 8 hrs ? Then again I can spray with water ? But I really like your ideas - also a 2 part epoxy sealant should work ?

Ebtahi98

Yeah in summer mos it doesn't happen?

Ebtahi98

Thanks everyone the funny thing is the front doesn't go down in the cold and the rear goes down in the cold and then I notice when it's like 45 55 it doesn't affect it all

Ebtahi98

Then again the 250 pounds of snow on it and ice could also be a factor until Iran the cleaning it off