Can use some help on confusing Airmatic issue diagnosis
12-28-2018, 10:11 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Can use some help on confusing Airmatic issue diagnosis
The front left corner of my 2006 E55 sags when parked. It sags about 1" - 1.5" when parked. It does NOT drop all the way down like you see with so many Airmatic failures. When I start the car, it raises to normal height in about 10 seconds, and within a few seconds starts to drop again. It'll drop to the height it drops to when the engine is off, then rises back up again. This happens over and over. I can't use the car because I assume the pump is running constantly, and I don't want to burn out the pump. I have looked at the pump and the line to the strut and I see nothing that looks abnormal. I assume it's the strut. However, I don't understand if it's the strut leaking why doesn't sag all the way to fully deflated? Of course I can just replace the strut, but at about $600 per strut I hate to just throw a strut at the car only to find out he strut isn't the problem. I hooked the car up to the STAR machine but there are no suspension codes. Anyone have any input or ideas on this? It's the car not fully dropping down that has me confused.
12-29-2018, 12:14 AM
#2
I had a similar experience on my e500 while back , hard to explain but as the air bag settles when parked it curves to where their is a tear and air leaks from a certain point of the bag , its the strut fersure but again have it diagnosed before jumping in to it.
On the bright side the front strut is easy to install if that is the case
On the bright side the front strut is easy to install if that is the case
12-29-2018, 04:23 AM
#3
Super Member
I’ve recently changed my stock strut to Arnott reman for $432. Didn’t have sag but car was making creaking noise on minor bumps. I first changed out all control arms, ball joints, front & rear stabilizer bars, rear air bags, & motor/trans mounts (all were original 12 y/o parts anyway) yet still hear noises. Finally I was trying to figure out where the noise came from and started pushing on the driver side front fender, it was bouncing not so much but with enough play that is noticeably different, compared to right side and it made the same creaking noises. Changed it and have a smooth quite ride. I only change driver side with Arnott, I replaced right side in 2015 with OEM AMG Strut ($800).
Last edited by MSG 55G; 12-30-2018 at 09:17 PM.
12-29-2018, 06:30 AM
#4
Member
Thread Starter
12-29-2018, 10:19 AM
#6
Super Member
I got all my Arnott from CARID.com, they gives10% military discount. So got the front for $414 + $18 for shipping and $100 refundable core charged. I call them first to get discount before I place order online.
Another member mentioned on other thread that he ordered direct with ARNOTT site and it costed him 4 something with core.
Another member mentioned on other thread that he ordered direct with ARNOTT site and it costed him 4 something with core.
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12-29-2018, 10:26 AM
#8
Super Member
Search the forum on ARNOTT, there are good discussions regarding strut; I went with the remanufactured cuz supposedly it retained the ADS(?).
12-29-2018, 10:28 AM
#9
Super Member
12-29-2018, 10:33 AM
#10
Super Member
12-29-2018, 10:52 AM
#11
Member
Thread Starter
Yup, in poking around I see Rock Auto at $370 + $12 shipping to Houston, plus a refundable $100 core charge. Sounds like a good deal.
I'll fall on my sword here, admit my ignorance and ask what is ADS?
I bought the car with the struts that are in there already replaced sometime in the past, I have to search out the records on when they were done. My far away memory thinks they are already Arnott's in there.
I'm thinking that if I do the re-manufactured units (AS2300 - front right) vs. new (AS2737) I won't have to do the front left as well, as it should match what I believe to be an Arnott already on the other side. On Arnott's site they specifically have a note on the new unit description saying that if you do one you should do both. That note is not included in the description of the re-manufactured part. I assume that on the new part they changed the valving? I really don't know. Does any one have any info on this? If not needed I would really like to avoid doing both.
I'll fall on my sword here, admit my ignorance and ask what is ADS?
I bought the car with the struts that are in there already replaced sometime in the past, I have to search out the records on when they were done. My far away memory thinks they are already Arnott's in there.
I'm thinking that if I do the re-manufactured units (AS2300 - front right) vs. new (AS2737) I won't have to do the front left as well, as it should match what I believe to be an Arnott already on the other side. On Arnott's site they specifically have a note on the new unit description saying that if you do one you should do both. That note is not included in the description of the re-manufactured part. I assume that on the new part they changed the valving? I really don't know. Does any one have any info on this? If not needed I would really like to avoid doing both.
12-29-2018, 11:05 AM
#12
Super Member
The ads is active dampening. When you adjust your suspension on the stock system the shocks change how stiff they are. Arnot new dont have this system, remanufactured retain it. If you replace a front with a new you probably want to change the other with a new to maintain the balance coz the shocks will be different stiffness
12-29-2018, 11:58 AM
#13
Super Member
I have front Arnott & AMG struts, mismatched but I can’t tell the difference. But then I’m No AMG expert extraordinare as to PieRat! He’s Da Man!
12-29-2018, 12:02 PM
#14
Super Member
Yes but your arnotts are remanufactured so they should both have ads and be the same more or less. Even witb one arnot new and one amg strut up front i dont think it would be terrible but ive not tried it so dont quote me on that!!
hahaha just a fiend not an expert lol
hahaha just a fiend not an expert lol
Last edited by PieRat; 12-29-2018 at 06:38 PM.
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MSG 55G (12-29-2018)
12-30-2018, 12:31 PM
#17
Senior Member
Gonna hijack this, because I have a similar situation. I feel like it’s the rear air bags but want confirmation
did the brakes and installed my E63 wheels last weekend, dropped the car, and the car looked SLAMMED not really thinking too much about it since I had the car in jackstands all weekend. Start the car, the pump runs. I rear end of the car raise a maybe an inch, still looked slammed, and then the pump stops yet still holds that little bit of air in the shock. It is possible for a bad shock even if all the air is not complete leaking?
did the brakes and installed my E63 wheels last weekend, dropped the car, and the car looked SLAMMED not really thinking too much about it since I had the car in jackstands all weekend. Start the car, the pump runs. I rear end of the car raise a maybe an inch, still looked slammed, and then the pump stops yet still holds that little bit of air in the shock. It is possible for a bad shock even if all the air is not complete leaking?
12-30-2018, 05:55 PM
#18
Super Member
Gonna hijack this, because I have a similar situation. I feel like it’s the rear air bags but want confirmation
did the brakes and installed my E63 wheels last weekend, dropped the car, and the car looked SLAMMED not really thinking too much about it since I had the car in jackstands all weekend. Start the car, the pump runs. I rear end of the car raise a maybe an inch, still looked slammed, and then the pump stops yet still holds that little bit of air in the shock. It is possible for a bad shock even if all the air is not complete leaking?
did the brakes and installed my E63 wheels last weekend, dropped the car, and the car looked SLAMMED not really thinking too much about it since I had the car in jackstands all weekend. Start the car, the pump runs. I rear end of the car raise a maybe an inch, still looked slammed, and then the pump stops yet still holds that little bit of air in the shock. It is possible for a bad shock even if all the air is not complete leaking?
Last edited by MSG 55G; 12-30-2018 at 06:01 PM.
12-30-2018, 06:04 PM
#19
Super Member
Gonna hijack this, because I have a similar situation. I feel like it’s the rear air bags but want confirmation
did the brakes and installed my E63 wheels last weekend, dropped the car, and the car looked SLAMMED not really thinking too much about it since I had the car in jackstands all weekend. Start the car, the pump runs. I rear end of the car raise a maybe an inch, still looked slammed, and then the pump stops yet still holds that little bit of air in the shock. It is possible for a bad shock even if all the air is not complete leaking?
did the brakes and installed my E63 wheels last weekend, dropped the car, and the car looked SLAMMED not really thinking too much about it since I had the car in jackstands all weekend. Start the car, the pump runs. I rear end of the car raise a maybe an inch, still looked slammed, and then the pump stops yet still holds that little bit of air in the shock. It is possible for a bad shock even if all the air is not complete leaking?
01-02-2019, 12:07 AM
#20
Senior Member
no I have an E55, I was just mentioning i did the brakes and installed a set of e63 wheels I purchased..
another quick question, what are the chances my problem not being my airmatic air spring but rather the self-leveling shock? After a bit more reading, I realized there’s an airbag and a shock. If this self-leveling shock were shot, would the car stilll be slammed?
01-02-2019, 02:20 AM
#21
Super Member
no I have an E55, I was just mentioning i did the brakes and installed a set of e63 wheels I purchased..
another quick question, what are the chances my problem not being my airmatic air spring but rather the self-leveling shock? After a bit more reading, I realized there’s an airbag and a shock. If this self-leveling shock were shot, would the car stilll be slammed?
Last edited by MSG 55G; 01-02-2019 at 02:24 AM.
01-02-2019, 02:24 AM
#22
Senior Member
My thoughts were same as yours, trying to eliminate plausible causes before having to change rear air bags or front struts; for me, I figured my car is 12 y.o. and needing new bags won't hurt. I've changed all four suspensions and the original air pump and self-leveling shock mechanism working fine, my car has 172k miles and still loving it.
01-02-2019, 02:30 AM
#23
Super Member
no I have an E55, I was just mentioning i did the brakes and installed a set of e63 wheels I purchased..
another quick question, what are the chances my problem not being my airmatic air spring but rather the self-leveling shock? After a bit more reading, I realized there’s an airbag and a shock. If this self-leveling shock were shot, would the car stilll be slammed?
01-02-2019, 02:33 AM
#24
Senior Member
yeah. A “U” shaped hose running from the filter to the compressor inlet was cracked. I replaced that when I did my brakes. That’s when it dawned on me that I should replace the filters too. OEM filters are only $14 for a pair.
01-02-2019, 02:51 AM
#25
Super Member
You have p/n?
