please help! Airmatic DIY-going on 3 days!
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03 e55
please help! Airmatic DIY-going on 3 days!
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
Thank you
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Alexandria, VA
07 E63 AMG, 10 C63 AMG, 07 E63 Designo, 07 E350, 09 C300, 07 C230
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
Last edited by Yuille36; Sep 12, 2010 at 08:34 AM.
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From: Salt Lake City (but not Morm)
2003 E55 & 2014 GL550
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
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
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Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Chicago suburbs
2004 E55 AMG
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.
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.
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03 e55
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.
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03 e55
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.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: San Diego
F-250
**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
Again, I am just guessing. So if you try this, please be careful, and do not put car in drive
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From: Alpharetta Georgia
2006 E55, 2006 saab 93 aero, 2010 glk 4m
^^^ 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.
Last edited by nanayaw6; Sep 12, 2010 at 06:59 PM. Reason: typo
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From: Caribbean/Florida/Colorado
E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
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.
One question, are you using the Arnot struts or MB/AMG?
I hope you haven't posted cause you are out driving around.
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From: Texas
e55 w/LET TUNE Drinks: vodka STRAIGHT Wheels: 19" HRE 547r Mods:FF headers ASP Pulley
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
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
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03 e55
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!!
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!!
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From: Bay Area
2004 E500 CLK320
Beware of member dubxfiv0!!!
See my comments about this guy here
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...ml#post4514451
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...ml#post4514451
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2006 CLS 500
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.
