Quick question. When replacing the front strut arm which the airmatic strut connects to. Do I only need to remove bolt from strut and replace the arm from underneath or do I need to deflate the strut? I'm about to remove the arm and I'm afraid of the strut extending so I can't put the new arm in.

 

Here is the MB instructions from WIS. Good luck. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ETL...ew?usp=sharing

 

Yes I have that as well but it state that deflate is needed. Wonder if it's really needed? Can't find anything on diy thrust arm replacement.

 

Seems to me the you would want to take the pressure off the strut and let the air out as though you were replacing the strut. I have not done this job, so I don't know for sure if the strut would extend farther (my gut tells me not much if it does) once the arm is removed, but by taking the air off it then you won't have that potential issue.

 

Yeah, I'm just going to replace the thrust arm which I called strut arm. What the hell, I'm giving it a shot. Worse thing that could happen is that I have to buy star.

 

nah just jack up the car loosen the two bolts and remove and replace. you can probably even leave the wheel on if you can get your tools in there. when you tighten down the bolt attached to the chasis either lower the car or jack the spindle/wheel up so its bearing weight to prolong the life of the bushing and supposedly make the car ride a bit tighter.

 

OP any way you slice or dice it you're in for a bit of a wrestling match replacing that arm.

Be gentle.

 

oh yeah ball joint on these ones. get one of these kind of ball joint separator if you dont have already. it makes ball joints easy!

 

Thanks guys. Releasing the strut was no problem, no real extension of the strut. Did the balljoint yesterday, killed one of my ball joint separator, few hours later it was off. Very stuck but that was nothing when it came to press in the new balljoint. It required tons of force, had to use both arms and legs.