ReInventingIT

Hello everyone...
My 05 s430 4matic is listing (pass side low). This came after I replaced the following: front struts, lower control arms, upper control arms, stabilizer links and front axles. Car was level and fine before I replaced the parts, but all the squeaks, rattles and rolls are gone. Now, however it leans to one side. I know I had to have fudged up the ride height on the sensors, but can't for the life of me, figure out how to simply reset the height. I have even placed a jack under the offending side, disconnected the battery and let the car sit for a while, and reattached the cable and alas, no resetting of the ride height. (Stop laughing). I have even read about the washers method. And I will gladly take the car to the dealer/Indy to have them reset the height. But, I was simply hoping that I can fix whatever idiot thing I did to alter it, by myself. I put it to you fine members, please tell me the simple 27 step process, done on specific day of the week that solves my problem.. ; ). You guys rock...

Mike5215

I'm guessing you reconnected the link between the upper arm and the ride height sensor, and that the sensor is still connected to its harness.

Presuming that's where it should be, drive the car around for a few minutes and it should recalibrate itself and level out.

cybertronicify

If you played with the ride height sensors. and They are bent or maybe out of alignment. You can use a STAR computer to calibrate the ride height. But its better to just adjust the sensor's arm.

doni01

iTrader: (1)

How do you adjust the sensor arm ??

cybertronicify

There is one piece of metal that connects to the Ride sensor. Then another one almost 90 degrees to it. I don't remember which one you change but there is one bolt that you loosen, then you move the sensor arm up or down.

Mike5215

There is a link connecting a ball shaped fitting on the sensor to a ball shaped fitting on the upper control arm. There is no adjustment on the sensor end and I don't recall there being any adjustment on the upper arm. Are you referring to loosening the bolt on the upper arm that houses the ball fitting?

doni01

iTrader: (1)

That's the impression I was under as well. The only way to adjust the sensors was via DAS hence I asked....

Mike5215

Yeah, as best I can recall from installing lowering links on my 220 there's no adjustment (which is why lowering links exist...they allow you to vary the distance between the suspension and the sensor, tricking the Airmatic controller into thinking the car is higher or lower than it is and adjusting the ride height accordingly. There is some minimal calibration room in DAS but no more than an inch. Can you post a pic of the lean?

thebadmoose

I have a 2002 s430 with 61000 miles. I noticed the passenger rear side looked lower than the driver side. I measured the distance between the top of the rim to the top of the fender and there was over a 1 cm difference. I'm taking it to an independent MB mechanic tomorrow. I remember there was a ride height code that we thought was odd. He reset all the codes and we will see if it came back. I haven't looked at the ride height sensor yet. Wouldn't the rear ride height sensor effect both sides, meaning both sides should be equally low? When I raise the car the difference between the sides is still there.

Mike5215

Yes, the rear axle gets a single sensor and it should affect both rear suspension assemblies equally. It's possible the strut on the low side is leaking. Are the fronts sitting even?

thebadmoose

@mike5215
I checked this morning and the fronts are sitting even. I measured from the top of the rim to the fender and the fronts were at 18cm. The driver rear was at 16cm and the passenger rear was just a bit below 15cm. You may be right about the slow leak. A few days ago I heard the airmatic pump turn on late at night (car had been parked for several hours).

What I can't figure out is if there was a leak the pump should try to get the car back to the same level as the other side and it would be running constantly. Instead I have only heard it run once, after shutting down, and the car is consistently at 15cm. Is there that large of a range that suspension height can be in before the pump turns on?

Mike5215

The pump actually feeds an air reservoir which in turn feeds the bladders in the individual struts. With a sealed system (no leaks) the car remains level after it's shut off. With a leaking strut, there's no access to air to restore ride height and the affected side drops. It would level itself after the car was restarted. Does it drop overnight and level off when the car is running?

thebadmoose

@mike5215
The car doesn't drop overnight and stays level when running. My mechanic didn't find any fault codes. According to him it's normal for the car to have .5 inch of difference between the heights. He also said if the ride height went out if spec I would get a notification on the dashboard. For now I plan to keep an eye on it and measure periodically to make sure it stays consistent. If I have time I'll take some measurements with the car running, lifted up and off to see the difference.

linneverstops

Just bought a certified pre-owned C400 4 matic for a week with 20K miles. Rubbing and grinding sounds during hard turns. Scared as hell. Is the front axle replacement covered by the Mercedes Maintenance or do we have to pay extra for it? Somebody please, many thanks!

tusabes

linneverstops

oh, sorry. I somehow got directed here. My bad man.

Jaden Benn

So my 2001 s430 runs a bit hot (about 100°C) bc My fan will not turn on. I checked the fuses and replaced the motor but still nothing. Also my headlights and taillights do not turn on when I turn on the switch on the dash. They all light up when I lock and unlock with my key remote but not when I turn on the switch. Any suggestions on either issue?

wallyp

Your chances of getting answers would be better if you started your own thread with an appropriate title - not many folks will be expecting your problems to be in a two-year-old thread about a car listing to one side.

halim ismail

Hi Guys, this forum is awesome and this is my 1st post to MBworld. Thanks and Salute to ALL contributors.
Hope somebody can share some idea to my 03 W220 S280 problem # Currently experiencing loud rubbery squeaky Fr LHS suspension when ride on uneven road surface prominently speed breaker (humps), especially my housing area has more than 21 of them. The squeaky noise very recently appears consequently after few occurrences both front airmatic lowered (sometime) when park overnight. Could it be the inner airmatic strut that create the noise. ????

# both front airmatic was newly replaced about 12mths ago.

wallyp

Antisway bar bushings sometimes squeak.

Dry ball-joints can squeak. Sometimes, you can help this by buying a sharp needle that snaps into a grease-gun and injecting grease into the rubber boots. Here in the USA, the needles and several different styles/sizes of grease-guns are available at any auto parts store.

halim ismail

Hi Wally,
Appreciate greatly your kind respond to my squeaky airmatic front suuspension. Will take your advice on ball joint greasing and sway bar bush replacement soon. Further, out of curiosity , is there any chance the airmatic strut within itself is the culprit.

wallyp

I feel that it is possible, but much less likely than the other possible causes.

tusabes

wallyp

"... injecting grease is a temporary solution that usually doesn't last long"

Sometimes true. Sometimes, repeating the injection a couple of times will last for quite a while. I'm willing to try the process a couple of times if the rubber boots are in good condition. Easy to do, costs virtually nothing. Well-lubricated ball joints will last a long time...

LenDecaturAL

I got the EPS message this week, if I replace the SAS and brake switch, will it be necessary reset the code? Will the iCarsoft units work to rest the ESP if it is required?
Thanks