In a previous post, I indicated that I had gone with Arnott Industries for replacement struts (MB rebuilds) at a cost of $400/strut vs. $1,075/strut for MB. When the dealer tried to install the left front strut he said it was defective and that the bolt didn't align with the hole and when they tried to torque the bolt it snapped. I said call Arnott, tell them what happened and have them overnight a new strut. Arnott replaced the defective strut, no questions asked and overnighted the new strut at their cost. So good for Arnott!!

Now you are probably asking yourself, as I did, why did the MB mechanic try to force a defective strut into position? And what would have happened if the bolt did not snap? Well when the car was finished the service rep. told me they were going to bill me for two installations for the left front stut. I said, "EXCUUUUUSSSSE MEEEE? You want me to pay for your mechanic's negligence in trying to install a defective strut? I don't think so and I am glad it snapped because I hate to think I could have ended up driving a car with a time bomb for a left front strut."

He didn't argue with me and deducted the $225 for the second installation. Not so good for MB.

Excellent point.

One thing to distinguish. At what point did it become apparent that the strut was defective? Was it just the added effort needed to attempt the install? Was it something they may have noted prior and did not check? Did they over TQ? ETC.

I would right a demand letter to the Service Manager stating that you want them to inform the local MB service rep about what happened because you want to be assured of anything that goes wrong with your car down the line. He is obliged to do so, as this is in tune with the MB customer complaint ressolution process; BUT I can assure you that he will also contact you and attempt to alleviate your concerns. What you get out of it is up to you.

There is a reason you take your car to MB and not an independent and this is it.

Have you seen the size of that bolt?!!! What did they use to torque it, a 10ft breaker bar!!!! Can't imagine the force that could break one that big.

WOW!!!

Glad you got it worked out!

Hopefully you can just enjoy the car for a nice stretch of time now. Sorry she has been a big headache for ya. Go beat the snot out of it tonight. Really helps me let off some steam sometimes.

Sounds like the mechanic didn't want to install a non-MB part.

Last time, Arnott sent me not-defective, but wrong strut!

Just ordered mine today, interesting part about my OEM strut though, the hydraulics went bad before the bellows blew out. clunking all over the place.

Feels like a complete loss of rebound dampening, anyone else experience this on a w211 E55?

if the bolt does not line up meaning it's defective? weirdo...bs story..

they probably air impact gun the bolt and snap off..

seem like Arnott is a good company that have to eat the mistake from mb mechanic

fwiw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vlw6O...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oDD9InW-Cw

wow i take back what i said about arnott company...sigh.... at least spray can the used strut make it look new..aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrr

These guys clearly have an agenda. Morale of the story these are all advertised as remanufactured parts for less then 1/4 price of new OEM. Who cares how they ship them

I have to chime in here because I went through this last month. It started with my stock strut blowing out in my garage. Called Arnott, told them what I needed. This was on a Monday, the strut arrived on Wednesday. Installed the strut the following Thursday morning, perfect fit.
I'll spend $400 for a rebuilt strut with a lifetime warranty over $1k for a MB strut with no warranty.

ya but was the shock absorber really changed or was the air bladder jst re sealed... hows the car ride?

How the heck are you guys getting these struts on without Star???? Sorry in advance if you had Star/Das to do it. Just seemed like you didn't. Yachtmaster did his without Star and I just couldn't. Took only a sec to deflate it with one button in Star/Das.

Just curious.

Really easy. Take the bolts out of the upper ball joint. Once install, you put a floor jack under the A-arm and raise it enough to bolt up the ball joint. You only need about a half inch.

That's what she said!

Mine went straight in, no messing around with ball joints, just used a lever to get the bottom of the strut to clear the lower arm. 40 min job.

The lifetime warranty is great, its still half the price for me to deal with Arnot in USA, than go to a UK main dealer.

+1 on that. Struts arrived in New Zealand within the week , right hand removed and new strut installed in less than an hour.
I followed Yachtmasters DIY thread and it went like clockwork. Total cost was 1050 USD for the pair. Stealer wanted 3000 USD for a single genuine strut. Plus fitting. BS.
Thanks Arnott. I understand they are working on reman rears and should be available this year.
Can anyone shed any light on this ?

Had my Arnott front strut installed 2 days ago and it went in flawlessly. Packed up the bad one and sent it back for my Core refund.

Couldnt be happier

Attempted to DIY the strut but changed my mind and spent the $200 to get it installed

wait, do you in fact need STAR to do this?

Apparently not...just play with the level sensor that's attached to the A-arm and make the strut shrink enough to fit.

Tried this with no luck

i read in the DIY he tricked it to release the air, and i guess it worked without star so idk

you need to plug in the new strut while laying it across engine, dont connect the air pipe and set the car to lowest setting and start, at this point mine released the air and I was able to shorten the strut enough to get it over the suspension arm. Good luck. NOTE be really careful when fitting the air line that you dont damage the threads.