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I have a S430 2006 and we noticed that it kept lowering itself in the rear while driving. Turns out apparently it has to do with the air spring (or struts or springs, it seems to have different names), and upon further examination, we saw that it's in two pieces (see images attached) in the left rear.
Now, because of the different names I'm coming across, I'm not sure what I should look for replacing it. I also don't know if the mechanic(s) I took it to are estimating the work properly. One said I'd only need to the left rear at about $1k, then another said I'd need to replace both, then online I see folks just doing it themselves.
Any insights, inputs, cautions are greatly appreciated, especially if you can tell the exact name of this part, please, and does it actually have anything to do with with lowering and rising of the car?
The car has no springs as such. The strut contains both the shock absorber and a fabric and rubber diaphragm that uses air pressure from the Airmatic system to support the car.
The struts do eventually develop leaks in the diaphragm, and that corner drops, sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly. It is possible that there is another problem on that corner in the Airmatic system, but strut failure is the most likely cause.
Many owners do their own repairs and maintenance on their W220 - that makes it financially practical to drive an old super-car that originally sold for seventy-five to one hundred thousand dollars. Replacing the rear strut should be within the capabilities of most owners. It requires some tools such as wrenches, ratchets, sockets, etc.
I have no idea where you live - my advice is primarily based upon conditions in the US. I think that you can still buy a rebuilt strut from Mercedes. You can buy an Arnott-rebuilt strut from several sources, and Arnott also manufactures and sells a new strut (which doesn't have the variable shock control system). You can buy Chinese-built struts. You can buy a used strut from a pull-a-part yard or on eBay. You will be told that you must replace the struts in pairs - you don't.
Start by going to YouTube and searching for W220 STRUT REPLACEMENT.
Thank you @wallyp for the thorough reply and the guidance. After watching some videos on how to replace the struts, I realized I don't have the experience, so will take it to a mechanic. Do you know if both sides need to be changed, or is one ok? I've mechanics tell me different things. Thanks again
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