I left my car parked for 2 weeks when I flew to Europe and on return found the rear of the car totally collapsed. The rear suspension lost all the air. After that I get the suspension warning while driving. I have taken it to the dealer and their answer, "all air loss within spec, could not duplicate". Now the rear isn't going down because we drive the car daily but almost immediately after pulling away from a stop we get the suspension warning.

 

It happened to me yesterday. Drove it to a restaurant for lunch, when I came out, it was on the floor. Took it to the dealer, and they want $1975 + labor for the passenger front shock. The car is a 2004 and it has 24000miles. It is bull#$%^ that these cars have such crappy components and then you have to pay these ridiculous prices for repairs. Even at around $800+ labor which is about what people are paying for the schocks is way too much, and this problem is too common for cars of this price range. I'm fu$#$% tired of this POS car.
Victor

Thanks, I needed that......

 

Gavidev,

Don't you have an extended warranty?

-m

 

But the truth will always sound the same. I think it is too much hassel given the SBC system on mine failed and I had to park the car. So.

"It is bull#$%^ that these cars have such crappy components and then you have to pay these ridiculous prices for repairs. Even at around $800+ labor which is about what people are paying for the schocks is way too much, and this problem is too common for cars of this price range"

Now I suppose someone will ask me will I pay another $70G's for another.

 

You saying it hit the 5 years already so the warranty is done? Come on now.

 

So, I'm getting paranoid now. When I park the car overnight, go down the next morning and open the passenger door, the car makes some clicking noises and then drops the suspension down slowly to a set level.

This morning after I went down to grab my wallet, the car made the usual clicking noises, but immediatly after came a loud mechanical ERRRRRRRRRRR sound. It's hard to explain, but it sounded like an air compressor engine and lasted for about 30 seconds.

Any ideas what that was?

 

It sounds like your car is operating normally. Remember things cool down at night. Then you get in and add load to the car. The suspension detects this change starts the air compressor "ERRRRRRRRRRR" and levels the car. If you have no suspension warnings in the FSS don't worry about the air compressor. It will activate sometimes when you just open the door. This is normal. It might have some issues but it does work. Ours has 83,000 miles and we are just getting a warning but not the too low warning. Dealer has found nothing so guess we will take back when it gets worse. But over not too bad for 6 years old pushing 100000 miles.

 

Cool, I feel better now. I'm used to the click click pshhhh sound, but not the click click errrrrrrrrrrrrrr sound! Wow, I didn't realize how difficult it is to try and type sounds.

 

OK, I just returned to the states and found a check in my mailbox. The check was issued and mailed a month ago, but I was out of country, that is why the time gap. The warranty company CNA National paid full amount (less $100 deductible). I am pleased and surprised because they clearly state that wear items (shock absorbers) are not covered, but in this case they call it "Electronic Suspension" and it was covered. Happy with first claim.

CNA National Warranty Corporation
P.O. Box 2840
Scotsdale, AZ

800-722-4758
480-941-1626

Stay tuned, I open the strut soon!

 

Posted in other thread, but for your info:


Update. Malfunction Airmatic suspension with FSS warning

After 4 days at the dealer I finally called to find the status.

Dealer answer:

" I'm sorry your service mgr is on vacation did you leave a car with us?"

" I don't see were you have a car in our dealership"

My answer,," how big was the check when you sold it?"

" I look to see what I can find"

Me wondering,,, time for new one!

" Was yours in for the airmatic?"

me.. Yes

" Well it's ready "

Me I"ll be there today to pick it up. (Note: Fri 5:PM )

SO I drive the 200 miles to pick up the car and they bring the car out.
I'm with the wife ready to meet the rest of the family at nice resturant.

What do I find. The rear of the car is totally collapsed as they drive it out.

The guy ask, " Are they suppose to be this low in the back",, guess he thought it was a lowrider.

He tries to get a service mgr but the answer,,, You got it,, there all gone for the weekend.
I call the sales mgr that sold me the car and point out the bumper almost dragging the concrete.

"you can't drive it that way".

Well dah,, that's why I brought it in.

He and Other guys in white shirts/ties pull the record.

They installed new

compressor 211-320-03-04
Relay 002-542-72-19
line 211-327-02-45

All warranty.

My thoughts.

The compressor continues to run and failed due to strut leaking.
Changing the compressor only supplies more air to the failed strut.
Nothing will make the repair but strut replacement and this won't happen Easter weekend. But then what do I know about machinery I am only an Engineer of large equipment.

So next week the saga continues. Whew $$$ really glad I bought the 100K warranty.

At least they have seen the same problem I have seen, and acknowledge the issue. I do believe they will correct the problem once they get past "the compressor" as the problem and really look at the car.

Struts can have leaks in a fold on the boots that are difficult to find. So I don't fault the dealer for having difficulty in finding this issue. I went through a similar issue on my Lincoln Mark series with air suspension.

Next week same time same station stay tuned for next weeks cliff hanger!

 

Hi! I have 2002 s430 and the airmatic system is not working and the (stop car too low) light is on. The car was in a light accident and the line that goes to the tank(left side under the bumper) from the pump was cut i fixed the line. When i start the car the pump is not pumping. The relay is new, and the fuse is good. The pump itself is good. There is no power going to the pump. Please help. Thanks!

 

Fuse?

 

So nobody makes a coilover kit? or struts and springs? I'm considering a newer amg but this airmatic suspension just sounds like a nightmare.

 

I thought the E500 use the same as E55 for the AirMatic suspension.....
But breaking at 23k milles...... this is bad..... I better watch out my car !
It has 68k 2004....... Aleluya !

Here is the link that someone posted for the part:

http://www.arnottindustries.com/part...18_pid127.html

 

Fuse is good.

 

i had all 4 shocks replaced on my E55.

I only complained about a rear wheel thump over bumps.. and they found leaks on both of the rear. They also replaced the fronts.

I have Chrysler Service warranty.. I think the dealer just wanted to juice the warranty.

i also got a new headlamp and driver side seat motor.

bill $4100.

I had the air matic pump replaced last year. If this car did not have warranty.. it would be as bad as my C32.

 

Does the pump run when you get in and turn the key on? If it does the compressor is running. If not the compressor is not running and you will need to be working on control circuit for the compressor.

 

When i turn the key on the compressor is not running, Thanks for the tip!

 

If the compressor never starts. You would have to pull the wires and verify voltage to the compressor with a voltmeter. If you have voltage you might have a burned out compressor motor.

 

Thanks Charly,

I emailed them and they can do AMG airmatic struts. I plan to visit their shop.
This is great news for our "Out of Warranty" friends.

 

TRANSLATED WITH THE TRANSLATOR OF GOOGLE, SORRY.

Hello, specially to Yacht Master, I am Spanish and have the same problem that your. My air suspension has burst.



My car.



Suspension bad.




Number ref. the same one that your. But may is left.



My number is 211 320 63 13, You can say to me if the reference is them same 211 320 53 38. They are the same???

I feel it I do not speak English.

Regards from España

 

JavierE55,

In my best espanol, yo creo que estas en lo correcto. El numero es A211 320 53 38 para el lado izquierdo. Tuve algunos problemas determinando el numero y tuve que contactar a mi tienda de Mercedes local. Asegurate de que cuando compres tu parte, de que si es la equivocada la puedas cambiar. Me gustaria ir a Ibiza algun dia.
Buena suerte!
Yacht Master

To our english speaking members I told Javier he is on the right track.

 

Gracias por responder tan rapido, cuando compre el recambio te dire si es el numero correcto.

Soy de Barcelona, estas invitado a venir cuando quieras.

Un saludo.

 

I think he said:

Thank you for responding so fast, when you buy the replacement say if the correct number.

I'm from Barcelona, you are welcome to come whenever you want.

A greeting.

 

I just wanted to thank Yacht Master for his write up on the front shock replacement. I just replaced my front right shock and due to the write up it went smooth. I will be changing the front left shock this weekend. It took me about 2 hours to complete it.

The only problem I ran across was the plastic clip that attached to the frame rail for the lower Ads unit even with warning I still broke it (only $16.00 at MB). Once I got it off the frame rail I understood what you meant by getting it from the inside out. Other than that the only other problem I ran into was collapsing the new shock so that I could put it back together.

I purchased my shocks from the link in your post and they arrived 4 days later for less that half the cost of one MB shock. I will post once both have been changed and after I drive it for a while to see how they feel.

One last thing I still do not know why my shock failed after only 52000 mi.

Again I just wanted to say thanks to every body that posts their trials and errors.