Can our airmatic shocks intermittently fail?
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 472
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From: Gainesville, FL: In a garage or in a bar, or a garage with a bar in it.
2005 E55, 2011 Honda Push Mower (21 inch deck bishes)
Can our airmatic shocks intermittently fail?
Had a weird occurrence last night on my way home. My car is STAR lowered and the left front has always sat a little lower than than the right but it's never been an issue. I drive in Sport 1 suspension setting 99% of the time as well.
Last night I took a left turn and heard a horrible rubbing sound from the front left. I instantly thought that my airmatic had failed on that side. I immediately hit the raise car button and at a red light I could see the entire car rising. I put it back to normal this morning and no rubbing. Is there a chance that it could have released air by accident? My airmatic pump isn't kicking in, which I thought was the indicator that the shock(s) were toast. Just trying to decide whether or not I need to get with Arnott before something goes catastrophically bad.
Last night I took a left turn and heard a horrible rubbing sound from the front left. I instantly thought that my airmatic had failed on that side. I immediately hit the raise car button and at a red light I could see the entire car rising. I put it back to normal this morning and no rubbing. Is there a chance that it could have released air by accident? My airmatic pump isn't kicking in, which I thought was the indicator that the shock(s) were toast. Just trying to decide whether or not I need to get with Arnott before something goes catastrophically bad.
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Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Maryland
W212 E63 AMG S Model
I think it may depend on the size of the leak. When mine went bad, I could hear some rubbing on sharp turns at speed and a few moments later I got the red Airmatic message. It would come on for 30 seconds or so and then go away. It would go away for a while (sometimes 10-20 minutes) and then come back on again... very strange, but if you get the red message and your car looks low, get ready to call Arnott.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 472
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From: Gainesville, FL: In a garage or in a bar, or a garage with a bar in it.
2005 E55, 2011 Honda Push Mower (21 inch deck bishes)
Thanks man. No airmatic warnings yet. I'll keep Arnott's number on speed dial though 
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Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Los Angeles/Honolulu
Audi S4 (sold), E46 M3 (sold) 05 E55 silver/black(sold)
My car is not lowered and when I lost the passenger side front shock, I heard it let go and immediately got the message warning. The drivers side lasted 8 more months but I heard it let go as well and got the warning light. So in my case, both were sudden though due to age and mileage I had been expecting it so to speak.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 472
Likes: 5
From: Gainesville, FL: In a garage or in a bar, or a garage with a bar in it.
2005 E55, 2011 Honda Push Mower (21 inch deck bishes)
Turns out there was a 6 inch long piece of solid copper wire (like industrial grounding style) that had pierced my fenderwell. I'm assuming when I would turn the tire would hit the exposed part. Yanked it out and she's back to normal. Phew....
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From: Northern California
2004 E55 AMG; 1991 Previa
