*** 2001 S430 Rear Suspension Down, parts lists help pls ***
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Diamond Bar
*** 2001 S430 Rear Suspension Down, parts lists help pls ***
Hi All,
My 2001 S430 rear suspension just dropped completely. May I ask if anyone has/knows the list of parts which I need to purchase to bring it back up? The car has 180k miles. The front were replaced at ~130kish .
Thank you so much in advance.
Best,
My 2001 S430 rear suspension just dropped completely. May I ask if anyone has/knows the list of parts which I need to purchase to bring it back up? The car has 180k miles. The front were replaced at ~130kish .
Thank you so much in advance.
Best,
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Germany
'00 S320 W220, '98 A160 W168/ sold in 2005 '86 260 E W124 '90 260E W124
https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/e...75/65q/32/232/
does the car lift up, when you press the button? Or does it show "car lifts up" or so, but it remains sitting low? In this case Most of the time the compressor is worn out and doesn't deliver sufficient pressure and/or amount of air. Secondly you should check the rear level sensor rod, next to the differential.
https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/e...75/65q/35/080/
does the car lift up, when you press the button? Or does it show "car lifts up" or so, but it remains sitting low? In this case Most of the time the compressor is worn out and doesn't deliver sufficient pressure and/or amount of air. Secondly you should check the rear level sensor rod, next to the differential.
https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/e...75/65q/35/080/
Last edited by bamberger_1; Oct 5, 2019 at 05:53 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
There are several possible causes for your problem, and blindly throwing parts at an unknown Mercedes problem is not a good idea. It could be as simple as the linkage for the rear ride height sensor has broken or became unattached, or as serious as a computer failure. The best suggestion that I can make is that someone familiar with the Airmatic suspension needs to do some troubleshooting to determine the problem. It would probably help if you became at least somewhat familiar with the system so that you won't spend a lot of money needlessly.
https://w220.ee/Airmatic
https://w220.ee/Airmatic
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Diamond Bar
https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/e...75/65q/32/232/
does the car lift up, when you press the button? Or does it show "car lifts up" or so, but it remains sitting low? In this case Most of the time the compressor is worn out and doesn't deliver sufficient pressure and/or amount of air. Secondly you should check the rear level sensor rod, next to the differential.
https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/e...75/65q/35/080/
does the car lift up, when you press the button? Or does it show "car lifts up" or so, but it remains sitting low? In this case Most of the time the compressor is worn out and doesn't deliver sufficient pressure and/or amount of air. Secondly you should check the rear level sensor rod, next to the differential.
https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/e...75/65q/35/080/
Hello,
Yes, the car DOES lift up after pressing the button. However, I did hear a hissing sound( like air) coming from the rear suspension. Any idea or suggestions? I would like to order the parts ready so I can take it to the tech/shop if possible. thank you so much for any help.
Best,
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 33
From: Germany
'00 S320 W220, '98 A160 W168/ sold in 2005 '86 260 E W124 '90 260E W124
Hissing noise is always a sign, that the system blows air, somewhere. The only time you shall hear a hissing noise is, when you drove the car and leave the car and lock the doors. Then the system unloads excessive pressure. Before you disassemble or buy part, check the plugs and pressure lines. When you lift the car, by pressing the button, does it come up and stays their, for a while? The air connection of the rear struts can be checked underneath the little covers, which look like speaker covers right and left behind the head rests.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 439
From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
Hissing from the rear suspension area makes it 99% certain that one of the rear strut rolling diaphragms (the fabric-reinforced rubber parts that are the most important part of the air system in the struts) has developed a leak. For virtually everyone, the only practical repair is replacement of the failed strut. The most popular DIY procedure (at least in the USA) is to purchase a rebuilt strut from Arnott - lifetime warranty at a reasonable cost. There is no need to replace the struts in pairs, despite the Mercedes recommendation.
DIY installation is probably a six or seven on a difficulty scale of 1 to 10. There are many videos on YouTube showing the procedure. If you have an honest and reliable local shop that is familiar with the Mercedes Airmatic system, that is worth looking at.
While a few people have reported okay results, most of us are very uncomfortable with the idea of installing no-name Chinese struts.
New factory struts are expensive, but it is always a good idea to check price and availability for new or Mercedes rebuilt struts.
DIY installation is probably a six or seven on a difficulty scale of 1 to 10. There are many videos on YouTube showing the procedure. If you have an honest and reliable local shop that is familiar with the Mercedes Airmatic system, that is worth looking at.
While a few people have reported okay results, most of us are very uncomfortable with the idea of installing no-name Chinese struts.
New factory struts are expensive, but it is always a good idea to check price and availability for new or Mercedes rebuilt struts.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 33
From: Germany
'00 S320 W220, '98 A160 W168/ sold in 2005 '86 260 E W124 '90 260E W124
As said before, the original brand are Bilstein struts, which sometimes are available at reasonable prices, from other sources than Mercedes. Such as Miessler Automotive, which is a Germany based company with close links to the USA. So maybe the Bilsteins can be sourced their too.
I checked Miessler, yes they ship express to the USA.
http://www.air-suspension-shop.com/M...stein-Airmatic
I checked Miessler, yes they ship express to the USA.
http://www.air-suspension-shop.com/M...stein-Airmatic
Last edited by bamberger_1; Oct 6, 2019 at 11:34 AM.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Diamond Bar
Hissing noise is always a sign, that the system blows air, somewhere. The only time you shall hear a hissing noise is, when you drove the car and leave the car and lock the doors. Then the system unloads excessive pressure. Before you disassemble or buy part, check the plugs and pressure lines. When you lift the car, by pressing the button, does it come up and stays their, for a while? The air connection of the rear struts can be checked underneath the little covers, which look like speaker covers right and left behind the head rests.
Yes, the car stays up for a short while, then comes back down again. I also have been watching YouTube for suggestions. I will try to check what you had suggested, thank you.
As the car is at 180k, getting new stuts might be a good idea. thoughts?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Diamond Bar
As said before, the original brand are Bilstein struts, which sometimes are available at reasonable prices, from other sources than Mercedes. Such as Miessler Automotive, which is a Germany based company with close links to the USA. So maybe the Bilsteins can be sourced their too.
I checked Miessler, yes they ship express to the USA.
http://www.air-suspension-shop.com/M...stein-Airmatic
I checked Miessler, yes they ship express to the USA.
http://www.air-suspension-shop.com/M...stein-Airmatic
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Diamond Bar
Hissing from the rear suspension area makes it 99% certain that one of the rear strut rolling diaphragms (the fabric-reinforced rubber parts that are the most important part of the air system in the struts) has developed a leak. For virtually everyone, the only practical repair is replacement of the failed strut. The most popular DIY procedure (at least in the USA) is to purchase a rebuilt strut from Arnott - lifetime warranty at a reasonable cost. There is no need to replace the struts in pairs, despite the Mercedes recommendation.
DIY installation is probably a six or seven on a difficulty scale of 1 to 10. There are many videos on YouTube showing the procedure. If you have an honest and reliable local shop that is familiar with the Mercedes Airmatic system, that is worth looking at.
While a few people have reported okay results, most of us are very uncomfortable with the idea of installing no-name Chinese struts.
New factory struts are expensive, but it is always a good idea to check price and availability for new or Mercedes rebuilt struts.
DIY installation is probably a six or seven on a difficulty scale of 1 to 10. There are many videos on YouTube showing the procedure. If you have an honest and reliable local shop that is familiar with the Mercedes Airmatic system, that is worth looking at.
While a few people have reported okay results, most of us are very uncomfortable with the idea of installing no-name Chinese struts.
New factory struts are expensive, but it is always a good idea to check price and availability for new or Mercedes rebuilt struts.
Or the Bilsteins, though at higher prices than the Arnoots.
The Arnotts has lifetime warranty, and I read on another MB forum that the new Arnots are actually designed with assistance from Bilsteins.
The actual Bilstines has 2yr warranty.
Your suggestion? TIA
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,473
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From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
A new Bilstein front strut is $813 delivered, with lifetime warranty from FCP Euro.
A new Bilstein front strut is $586 from Miessler, plus shipping. Note that the full price shown on the Miessler website includes 19% VAT - which you do NOT have to pay - but does not include shipping, which you DO have to pay.
The US rebuilt Arnott is $317 delivered, with lifetime warranty.
A Chinese copy with three month warranty is $115.
Your car, your money, your choice.
A new Bilstein front strut is $586 from Miessler, plus shipping. Note that the full price shown on the Miessler website includes 19% VAT - which you do NOT have to pay - but does not include shipping, which you DO have to pay.
The US rebuilt Arnott is $317 delivered, with lifetime warranty.
A Chinese copy with three month warranty is $115.
Your car, your money, your choice.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Diamond Bar
A new Bilstein front strut is $813 delivered, with lifetime warranty from FCP Euro.
A new Bilstein front strut is $586 from Miessler, plus shipping. Note that the full price shown on the Miessler website includes 19% VAT - which you do NOT have to pay - but does not include shipping, which you DO have to pay.
The US rebuilt Arnott is $317 delivered, with lifetime warranty.
A Chinese copy with three month warranty is $115.
Your car, your money, your choice.
A new Bilstein front strut is $586 from Miessler, plus shipping. Note that the full price shown on the Miessler website includes 19% VAT - which you do NOT have to pay - but does not include shipping, which you DO have to pay.
The US rebuilt Arnott is $317 delivered, with lifetime warranty.
A Chinese copy with three month warranty is $115.
Your car, your money, your choice.
just PMed you, thx
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Diamond Bar
As said before, the original brand are Bilstein struts, which sometimes are available at reasonable prices, from other sources than Mercedes. Such as Miessler Automotive, which is a Germany based company with close links to the USA. So maybe the Bilsteins can be sourced their too.
I checked Miessler, yes they ship express to the USA.
http://www.air-suspension-shop.com/M...stein-Airmatic
I checked Miessler, yes they ship express to the USA.
http://www.air-suspension-shop.com/M...stein-Airmatic
Hello, please check your PM box thank you
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 439
From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
The new Arnotts do not have the adjustable damping, and I would consider that a definite minus. I would be choosing between the rebuilt Arnotts and the new Bilsteins, and part of the decision would be based upon who was going to do the installation.
A lifetime warranty is much less valuable if you have to pay someone a couple of hundred dollars to install the free replacement. If you do the installation yourself, it is just a couple of hours of grunt work.
The factory Bilsteins typically last a lot longer than two years, and I would expect the new ones to do the same.
I doubt very seriously that you could ever tell the functional difference between a rebuilt Arnott and a new Bilstein, so the decision might be based upon new for $500 or rebuilt for $300.
A lifetime warranty is much less valuable if you have to pay someone a couple of hundred dollars to install the free replacement. If you do the installation yourself, it is just a couple of hours of grunt work.
The factory Bilsteins typically last a lot longer than two years, and I would expect the new ones to do the same.
I doubt very seriously that you could ever tell the functional difference between a rebuilt Arnott and a new Bilstein, so the decision might be based upon new for $500 or rebuilt for $300.
