driving to pick up my son from school today i heard a loud squeal and thought to myself someones car is dying - come to find out as i am pulling in the parking lot to my sons school it is my car -

and of course right before our GL arrives next week - so the new owner will have even more new parts replaced - in the last 2 months - fuel pumps, crank position sensor, and now front airmatic

anyone know of where i can get a right front fast?

Replace them with arnott life time warranty and if I were you I would replace both instead of just one that went out

Really sucks that this happened to you but I have a preventative maintenance question about this. Is there a way to check the system out to see if they are worn or been replaced or whatever? I just got my car and will be driving 1200 miles or more 3 weeks from now to Fla. and def want to check everything before I go...mainly this airmatic issue. Sorry to threadjack. Thanks

What MJ50 said. Arnott struts are backordered nationwide, you won't find those anywhere. Rebuilt Master Tech will rebuild both of your front air struts for $850 which includes overnight pickup and return shipping. I just went through the same thing and these guys are top notch, search for my thread for pics and details.

I have been worried about this happen so I will be ditching the airmatic this winter. Already have coils and arms on their way.

thanks fellas - my local shop ordered he Arnott struts - car is getting flat bedded Sunday so it can be fixed on Monday.

don't want to try drive to the shop and blow the pump too -

Maybe because my lack of searching but why is the passenger front that keeps blowing out first? I see that my new car has new shock in the right front only. Most of the posts I've seen are of the right front.

From my experience, most everything on regular car go out on the driver side because of weight.

My drivers side went out first. That will help even the score.

Ha.. o.k.

Sorry to hear that. Thank you for the info.

true the struts are backordered, but getting one by tomorrow - don't know how, but i am - i will confirm they are Arnott and not the ones for 375 a pop.

same here

If you have ever changed suspensions before, the E55 airmatic (front) is the easiest suspension to change in my opinion. I wouldn't pay someone to do it. I did mine and shocked how easy it went. Just an option to save you some cash.

Good Luck,

Really sorry to hear this Mike!

Can't offer any valuable to you help in my post, but I recently inquired with my Mercedes-Benz service advisor at my dealer about the cost of replacing a strut and he said it was around $1800.

I'm sure I'll be feeling your pain eventually.

Did your car give you a "Car Too Low" message? Were the tires hitting the fenders when you turned?

All the best Mike, and keep us informed about what you find and what solution you take!

just got my car back - was able to get the last Arnott around - ended up having to get the pump replaced as well - but the car is back in action and on the road.

Driver side was OK and my mechanic advised to hold off -

anyways i am back in business and now the car goes up for sale as my GL350 arrived the dealership today.

Luckily whoever gets the car will be getting a cream puff in my opinion - but i am biased - but the car has been a gem the last 10 years of ownership - my shop says i fixed all the things for the next owner to take it the next 80K miles

LOL - I think Arnott are in the parts thread

Preventive maintenance Fact: Replace with coilovers and you won't ever have an issue again.