S-Class (W221) 2007-2013: S 320 CDI, S 350, S 450, S 500, S 550, S 420 CDI, S 600

Front Airmatic Strut Replaced

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Old Aug 15, 2018 | 05:09 PM
  #1  
YCHU's Avatar
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From: SO CAL
2008 S550, 2004 G500, 2020 Cayenne
Front Airmatic Strut Replaced

I knew it was going to be just a matter of time sooner or later, my front right side strut went away last week.
Although I only have 57000 miles, it probably had to do more with the age of the car.
I am happy that I replaced the both front struts with the ones from Arnott which carries a lifetime warranty (it cost me $1000 for part and $300 for labor)
How long the original struts supposed to last?
Do the front and the rear struts go bad around at the same time?
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Old Aug 15, 2018 | 08:48 PM
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regiment1's Avatar
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2013 S550
I just had the same thing happen at about 56k miles. It cost me $1,800-ish to replace both fronts with Arnotts, of which $475-ish was labor.

The shop owner said "why is it always the right front strut that goes on these?"

2013 S550 4-Matic, Sport +1
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Old Aug 15, 2018 | 09:19 PM
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ItalianJoe1's Avatar
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2003 CL 600
10 years sounds about right. The rears have a similar lifespan, the rubber bellows fail after time, excessive sitting can make them fail at really low mileage, they are actually best when driven normally. Typically 100k/10years for most people to start seeing air strut failures.
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Old Aug 17, 2018 | 02:44 PM
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YCHU's Avatar
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From: SO CAL
2008 S550, 2004 G500, 2020 Cayenne
I wish that it shows the sign of wearing out rather than just collapsing and making the car undriveable since my wife drives it with kids.
Should I just be proactive and replace the rear struts now?
Are the rear struts about the same labor as the fronts?
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Old Aug 30, 2018 | 12:59 AM
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Sumit Bhasin's Avatar
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From: Houston, TX
W221
I bought a 10 year old 2007 S550 with 67k miles on it. It's right front strut had collapsed when I bought it. I got that fixed first thing and about 10 months afterwards, the left front strut collapsed too. Wish I would have replaced both struts together. Anyway, it cost me about $75-$100 to get one strut replaced at the local shop. I paid $133 for the strut on eBay so the entire job cost me $200+. Also, I sold my old strut to a reman company in Florida for $50. So, I think I did alright.

The car is definitely drivable if the strut goes out on the road. You just have to be careful not to go too fast on rough roads but you can definitely drive to back to your home, order the strut on ebay, and then drive to the auto shop. I might have even driven to work for a couple of days before replacing it.

Of, and don't forget to get a wheel alignment after the strut replacement. I believe the replaced strut mis-aligns the wheel and needs to be aligned back in place. Otherwise, your tire might get chewed up.

Good luck!
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Old Aug 30, 2018 | 08:40 AM
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2007 S550
Rock Auto has the Arnott front and rear for $400 o $450
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...ion,strut,7584
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Old Aug 30, 2018 | 07:33 PM
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From: SO CAL
2008 S550, 2004 G500, 2020 Cayenne
[QUOTE=Sumit Bhasin;7542080]I bought a 10 year old 2007 S550 with 67k miles on it. It's right front strut had collapsed when I bought it. I got that fixed first thing and about 10 months afterwards, the left front strut collapsed too.

So, you replaced the both front ones, how are the rear struts?
Are they holding good?
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Old Aug 31, 2018 | 07:37 AM
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2007 S550
There are plenty of El Cheapo Airmatic struts available for somewhere in the $200 range, but I believe the Arnotts are guaranteed for life.
http://arnottinfo.com/files/Arnott_Inc_Warranty.pdf
Bilsteins are a little higher priced and the shock portion of the strut is a lifetime warranty but the "Air Suspension Modules – Limited 2 Year".
If anyone has any input on the quality of these choices I'm sure we would all love to hear your comments.
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