2000 S500 sagging rear, struts? HELP!!!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 687
Likes: 10
From: SoCal
2014 E63s
2000 S500 sagging rear, struts? HELP!!!
Hi All, My mother in laws 2000 S500 is sagging in the rear to the point of unsafe driving. I believe the struts are bad but wondering can both go out at the same time? could it be that the pump is simply not inflating them? Thanks in advance for any help.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 780
Likes: 11
From: Dallas, TX
Range Rover
Need a little more info, is this ABC or airmatic, does the system not pump up at all or does it try and fail? if its ABC I cant help you there, Im trying to learn all about it now myself
If its airmatic and your pump wasn't working, all four corners would be down. I bet you have a leak either in one of your rear struts or valve block for the air system to channel air to each strut. So far everytime I have had a leak I was able to hear it. If the system is still pumping air listen for the leak. you can also do the soap test. Access to the rear airmatic strut is from the inside, there is a cover, spray and see if theres a leak, same for the valve block
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 687
Likes: 10
From: SoCal
2014 E63s
Need a little more info, is this ABC or airmatic, does the system not pump up at all or does it try and fail? if its ABC I cant help you there, Im trying to learn all about it now myself
If its airmatic and your pump wasn't working, all four corners would be down. I bet you have a leak either in one of your rear struts or valve block for the air system to channel air to each strut. So far everytime I have had a leak I was able to hear it. If the system is still pumping air listen for the leak. you can also do the soap test. Access to the rear airmatic strut is from the inside, there is a cover, spray and see if theres a leak, same for the valve block
If its airmatic and your pump wasn't working, all four corners would be down. I bet you have a leak either in one of your rear struts or valve block for the air system to channel air to each strut. So far everytime I have had a leak I was able to hear it. If the system is still pumping air listen for the leak. you can also do the soap test. Access to the rear airmatic strut is from the inside, there is a cover, spray and see if theres a leak, same for the valve block
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 780
Likes: 11
From: Dallas, TX
Range Rover
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! If one back strut leaks the entire back can go down. I learned this one about 4-5 months ago. It was my back passenger side, I could here it leaking from the wheel well
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
00 S500
Rather than guess diagnose a bit! First did this sagging occur overnight or over a period of time it got worse? Does this sagging occur at all times or only when parked for some time, like overnight? Does the car level itself out if you start it and let it run for 5-15 minutes?
It could be the lines running to/from the pumps and struts are failing, the actual air compressor is failing, or one or two of your rear struts are failing. Nothing really scary anyway you look at it. You can find a rebuilt pump or junkyard air compressor and bolt it in yourself (I think their is a DIY write up). Same thing with the struts.
It could be the lines running to/from the pumps and struts are failing, the actual air compressor is failing, or one or two of your rear struts are failing. Nothing really scary anyway you look at it. You can find a rebuilt pump or junkyard air compressor and bolt it in yourself (I think their is a DIY write up). Same thing with the struts.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 432
Likes: 96
From: Just north of Detroit,Michigan
2012 E350 4Matic P2
Need a little more info, is this ABC or airmatic, does the system not pump up at all or does it try and fail? if its ABC I cant help you there, Im trying to learn all about it now myself
If its airmatic and your pump wasn't working, all four corners would be down. I bet you have a leak either in one of your rear struts or valve block for the air system to channel air to each strut. So far everytime I have had a leak I was able to hear it. If the system is still pumping air listen for the leak. you can also do the soap test. Access to the rear airmatic strut is from the inside, there is a cover, spray and see if theres a leak, same for the valve block
If its airmatic and your pump wasn't working, all four corners would be down. I bet you have a leak either in one of your rear struts or valve block for the air system to channel air to each strut. So far everytime I have had a leak I was able to hear it. If the system is still pumping air listen for the leak. you can also do the soap test. Access to the rear airmatic strut is from the inside, there is a cover, spray and see if theres a leak, same for the valve block
My suggestion is before throwing a bunch of parts at it ie, struts, valve block etc, have the car diagnosed on a Star/Das system. This will allow the technician to exercise the valve block and direct air to the rear struts to check for leaks. The dealer can do a diagnostic or a well equiped Indy with a star system can do it as well. My Indy has a Star system and only charges 2/3 of dealer hourly rate.
Finally, there is so much written about Airmatic in this forum as well as Benzworld to aid you. Airmatic problems will happen over the life of the car so it is good to be informed.
Bob
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