dubxfive0

I was hoping to get any assistance or advice in the installation of the airmatic strut on a 03 e55. I followed expert Yachtmasters great DIY to the step but I have been stuck now for 2 days on the installation. I connected the wires and battery and hear the air being released. I still cannot seem to compress the strut enough to get it back in. How high do i need to jack the car? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Yuille36

88 looks and no one provided you with any information. I remember reading somewhere, that a gentlemen changed his out. They hook up their strut and collapse it using Star. I know that it's almost impossible to collapse it on your own, but I could be wrong. Have you done a search for this information, I know that their are threads in here with that information somewhere. Good Luck

dubxfive0

amazing huh, if i could provide helpful information I would. I do appreciate your response, but I dont have star. I was trying to save $ as most are with DIY. I guess i learned my lesson.

Jakpro1

Hi there! I must have hit the boards a half dozen times yesterday and never saw this post once. How strange.

I hope that you have pm'd yacht as has been one of the only ones to get the shock to compress without using Star. The shock needs to compress several inches in order for it to swing into place.

He has been doing a lot of traveling and may not reply for a few days.

Quick question. Where do live? If near a larger city maybe one of the members or tuners with star could help you out and shoot over and compress it for you.

Ill ask around and see of someone has any other tips on non-star compression

izzyz28

If you don't have the wheel completely off the ground and the lower control arm dangling in the air, that is your problem. You may even be able to stand on or pull down on the hub/control arm to get a bit more clearance.

I'm only saying this since you asked "How high do i need to jack the car?". Do you currently have a jack/jack stand under the control arm? Support the car from one of the jacking points.

dubxfive0

thank you very much jackpro. I am from northern CA, Bay Area. I did PM yachtmaster. I know there are others who must have completed the DIY without star. If any members out in the Bay Area, have star or can assist me in the installation i would be willing to pay you for your time, travel and assistance.

dubxfive0

Izzyz, thank you for your reply. I do not have jack stands under the control arm. Following the DIY posted by Yachtmaster i was under the impression that after raising the car using a floor jack the airmatic strut will think the car is too high and release the air making it possible to compress the strut to fit. I am trying to picture your suggestion and to be honest im not quite sure i understand how its going to work.

Bramage

**I have never tried this, and it might be dangerous.. however. What if the new strut is wired up, and you start the car while on jack stands? Then, you could reach into the fender well and manipulate the Airmatic control arm. If you move that sensor up and down, it "should" compress or lenghten the strut?

Again, I am just guessing. So if you try this, please be careful, and do not put car in drive

nanayaw6

^^^ HAven't had to change my strut yet buy frankly that's what I have planned when i need to do it. Lift the car as high as I can with an SUV hydraulic lift, place stoppers behind rear wheels, start the engine and set the raise button to lower the car. Effectively getting the car to let all the air out of the front struts to aid compression. As stated precaution must be taken to ensure the car does not move (e- brake stays on and tranny stays in P) and if possible start and turn off the car without sitting in it to reduce the overall weight.

Yacht Master

Any up date?
One question, are you using the Arnot struts or MB/AMG?
I hope you haven't posted cause you are out driving around.

theeddie

open hood. take the new strut plug in under hood, you just need to plug in the power cable
i had the strut laying across the motor. if may take a couple attempts

start car tell the car to lower push push push it ill collapse

Adrenalin Rush

I am stuck at the same spot, can someone clarify how to collapse the strut enough to install it. I have the Arnott Strut.

Do I need to separate the upper control arm to get enough clearance?

dubxfive0

thanks Yachtmaster,

I have the Arnott strut. I used your method but was still about 1/2 inch short of getting it in. I used a floor jack and a small push down on the control arm and it went it. Error message went away, measured car and everything seems fine so far. (crossing fingers). thanks to all who have replied. It is greatly appreciated!!

SZMB

See my comments about this guy here
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...ml#post4514451

satobaily

Just installed an Arnott front right strut w/o Star on a 2006 CLS 500. The suggestions above about hitting the "lower" button multiple times with the wire on the top connected to the strut (engine running) to let the air out worked well. However, it seems that the strut is also gas pressurized (in the oil chamber) so it tends to extend itself even without any air pressure. So, I took about 12 plastic ties and made a band out of them, wrapping around the strut lengthwise, to hold it in a compressed position. Then I mounted the strut on the car. I had to lever the bottom over where it mounts, but only by about 1/2 inch. It wasn't hard. Once the strut was in place, I cut the plastic ties and pulled them out and then installed the bolts.