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I can't do the sway bar myself as it is wedged under the subframe and need a hoist to get it free, so taking it to a shop for this service.
I haven't done the upper ball joints, but I am considering doing the airmatic shocks just to have a full refresh up front. My car just hit 95k, so it just may be time.
Anyone have experience with the Arnotts that would make them a suitable alternative? I've seen some older posts about them, but haven't found any conclusive answers about their durability.
May be commuting a bit for work and love driving this car, but the clunking suspension makes me feel like I'm in my old Honda Civic with wind up windows in college.
I plan on holding onto the car for quite some time, so really looking for something that will go the distance.
i have rebuilt arnotts...they work great. arnott did say at some point they'll no longer have usable factory shocks they can rebuild as they test functionality of each unit before beginning rebuild.
they are unable to rebuild the factory dampening adjustment only test them.
Go for the NEW Arnotts not the reman. Do not use RMT. I did, and use to reccomend them.They lasted a couple years and I was going to send the one side back for warranty (when it started leaking and knocking) when I found out all they do is re-bag them. They don't have the ability to rebuild the oil filled shock inside.
Replace the upper ball joints while you do the struts, they're easy and cheap. Also keep in mind the lower control arm ball joints for the sway bar links can wear out and clunk.
Maybe I'm an outlier but I have the Bilsteins because I wanted (1) all new parts - not rebuilt and (2) normal/OE dampening control. That being said, I've had one of them crap out under me so they're certainly no perfect.
I had Arnotts on the rear of my E500 and they always made a clunking noise from day 1. Did some research and saw that it’s more common than I thought. Replaced them with Bilstein units from a Rock Auto and the noise disappeared. Also had a better ride and regained the ADS feature.
The Arnott strut in the right front is now doing the same thing I will replace the front pair with OE Bilstein units this spring.
I do want to say that the rear airbags from Arnott have given me no trouble at all.
Wirh the NEW Arnotts there is no ADS control. With the rebuilt ones you have normal ADS control.
Someone please correct me if I’m mistaken.
Yes that's how they're advertised. Also the reason why I bought rebuilt fronts instead of their new ones. Not sure how noticeable not having ADS is though
You are mistaken. I just installed both front new Arnotts and they had ADS.
Is that new? Cause the Arnott rep has posted multiple times on multiple threads that only rebuilt units retain ADS, and new struts are "custom valved". I remember reading it on their site too but I just put in my car to search and all it shows are two height sensors, so I can't screenshot anything from there
Well this is interesting. My new Arnotts definitely have the ADS valve on them. Arnott literature is not clear- could it be a "fake" ADS valve with just a resistor inside so the car doesn't set a fault code?
Last edited by E55Greasemonkey; 03-13-2020 at 03:34 PM.
Well I read through that screenshot and what you posted sure sounds like it's a fake ADS valve! That's news to me, but thanks for bringing this to everyone's attention. Now I know I'm not crazy when just last week I drove in sport2 setting and the car lowered but wasn't as bumpy (stiff) as I remembered with the leaking oem struts. I recently rebuilt the front suspension so I thought that's why it felt so smooth. Now I know it's the lack of ADS! I can say however, the ride is nice and smooth and I'll keep the new adADS-less Arnotts in place. I'm going to replace the rear shocks soon and I think Arnott makes a brand new one, hopefully with ADS for a good price.
Well this is interesting. My new Arnotts definitely have the ADS valve on them. Arnott literature is not clear- could it be a "fake" ADS valve with just a resistor inside so the car doesn't set a fault code?
I'm not too sure. I've always wondered how noticeable it is. Do you feel a difference?
Well I read through that screenshot and what you posted sure sounds like it's a fake ADS valve! That's news to me, but thanks for bringing this to everyone's attention. Now I know I'm not crazy when just last week I drove in sport2 setting and the car lowered but wasn't as bumpy (stiff) as I remembered with the leaking oem struts. I recently rebuilt the front suspension so I thought that's why it felt so smooth. Now I know it's the lack of ADS! I can say however, the ride is nice and smooth and I'll keep the new adADS-less Arnotts in place. I'm going to replace the rear shocks soon and I think Arnott makes a brand new one, hopefully with ADS for a good price.
the rears say ADS; $339 at Rockauto and where I got mine.
I'm not too sure. I've always wondered how noticeable it is. Do you feel a difference?
I just bounced the front of the car, it's softer than stock-comparable to an E350 sport with spring suspension. Rides nice though maybe not as AMG-like
03-12-2020, 01:34 PM
