Air struts
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From: Virginia
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Air struts
Yesterday morning my I was confronted with a collapsed passenger front side strut. Ok, found an OEM replacement (FCP) Side note the Benz dealer had none and said they are not available anywhere through the dealerships. Both front struts were replaced in 2017.(OEM)
This morning I now see the same side, passenger rear has also collapsed and front nor rear neither will rise. The issue is the car is not moveable as the wheels are up against the fender liner and fender. I think I will wait for the front strut, replace it where the car sits and see if there is any change in the rear. Maybe the spare on the rear will give it room to move it. I'm trying to locate OEM rear bellows, only see Arnott.
Big fun!
This morning I now see the same side, passenger rear has also collapsed and front nor rear neither will rise. The issue is the car is not moveable as the wheels are up against the fender liner and fender. I think I will wait for the front strut, replace it where the car sits and see if there is any change in the rear. Maybe the spare on the rear will give it room to move it. I'm trying to locate OEM rear bellows, only see Arnott.
Big fun!
Last edited by Fountain35; Jul 30, 2023 at 01:03 AM.
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From: Alexandria, VA
07 E63 AMG, 10 C63 AMG, 07 E63 Designo, 07 E350, 09 C300, 07 C230
Even with a leaky front and rear suspension, the car should raise itself a little bit. Maybe not enough to drive, about at least sufficient enough to be loaded on a flatbed truck. Look for either Arnott or Bilstein units.
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I guess it could be the valve block but the two struts on the drivers side (front and rear) work fine. I like the air suspension and don't want to do the coil-over conversion but I can see why it's done.
I found a place in Florida that rebuilds the rear Bilstiens so I'll call them tomorrow. I may just go with rear Arnott's but I hear they seem to be more firm. Any feed back on the Arnotts from those who have swapped would be helpful.
Chris
I found a place in Florida that rebuilds the rear Bilstiens so I'll call them tomorrow. I may just go with rear Arnott's but I hear they seem to be more firm. Any feed back on the Arnotts from those who have swapped would be helpful.
Chris
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From: Chicago suburbs
2009 E63 AMG WAGON 2018 BMW M5 2008 BMW 550i 2006 BMW Z4
In my opinion there are three reasons why this is done. One is the cost to replace the parts and additional diagnostic that come with it. Two is that people want to make ride stiffer cause it’s too soft for their likings. Three is that once strut is done it disables the car and it has to be fixed while people will drive foe 150k miles with worn out shocks cause it’s possible even thought outright dangerous. I see this every day on th road when car is being driven with wheel bouncing off of the pavement. With air suspension it has to be taken care of and majority of people will rather take on 40k loan than fix their car for 3k.
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From: Chicago suburbs
2009 E63 AMG WAGON 2018 BMW M5 2008 BMW 550i 2006 BMW Z4
Nothing that’s cheap will ride anywhere close to how Mercedes ride should be. Anything that’s half decent and not Chinese junk will cost $3K or more. And I will bet it’ll wear out quicker than oem air setup. My car is 09 and out of 4 corners 3 are still original working and not leaking air. That doesn’t mean that it’s the rule. Just like stated before. When it’s out car can’t be driven. And that sucks. I like however adjustability with a switch in the cabin. Topic had been beaten to death anyway so nothing new will be uncovered. I don’t think one is better than the other. Two different solutions for the same purpose.
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From: Alexandria, VA
07 E63 AMG, 10 C63 AMG, 07 E63 Designo, 07 E350, 09 C300, 07 C230
Honestly, if you were to go with Arnott's, I don't think that you'll notice any difference in the ride quality versus OEM Bilstein's.
It's just an airbag. And for those that don't know, the rear shocks are what controls the suspension damping, not the airbag.
It's just an airbag. And for those that don't know, the rear shocks are what controls the suspension damping, not the airbag.
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2015 Challenger Hellcat, 2023 Ram 3500, 2005 E55 Wagon, 2019 GLC63s
I just replaced my rears on my 05 E55 Wagon. Went with the Arnott units. The air suspension is the reason why you want these cars. So smooth on the road.
R.K.
R.K.
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From: Virginia
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I talked to Arnott and they stated the rear bags are not adjustable so they ride slightly firmer.
I also may get lucky with the rear deflated bag. Mercedes said the system inflates one corner at a time. It starts with the front and works it's way back. We'll see.
I also may get lucky with the rear deflated bag. Mercedes said the system inflates one corner at a time. It starts with the front and works it's way back. We'll see.
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From: Las Vegas, NV
2006 E55
What exactly did they say? I called them before switching mine out and was told something different. They do adjust for ride height, so they are "adjustable". They are dual chamber, so adjusting height affects spring rate.
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From: Chicago suburbs
2009 E63 AMG WAGON 2018 BMW M5 2008 BMW 550i 2006 BMW Z4
The thing is that that additional reservoir that arnott is not using is used for comfort mode. Arnott adjusts height but not spring rate in a way OEM setup does.
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From: Las Vegas, NV
2006 E55
I was told by a person at Arnott that they made up the extra air volume within the body of the air spring. I would be nice to know what the "real deal" is with them.
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From: Chicago suburbs
2009 E63 AMG WAGON 2018 BMW M5 2008 BMW 550i 2006 BMW Z4
Let’s just settle this once and for all. Arnott is great replacement. It’s just not same thing for less money. It’s great option to have.
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95 SL600
In my opinion there are three reasons why this is done. One is the cost to replace the parts and additional diagnostic that come with it. Two is that people want to make ride stiffer cause it’s too soft for their likings. Three is that once strut is done it disables the car and it has to be fixed while people will drive foe 150k miles with worn out shocks cause it’s possible even thought outright dangerous. I see this every day on th road when car is being driven with wheel bouncing off of the pavement. With air suspension it has to be taken care of and majority of people will rather take on 40k loan than fix their car for 3k.
As is was, it’s a terrible design that it renders the car inoperable when it fails.
and for me that simply doesn’t bode well.
Last edited by cdk4219; Aug 1, 2023 at 08:23 PM.
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From: Chicago suburbs
2009 E63 AMG WAGON 2018 BMW M5 2008 BMW 550i 2006 BMW Z4
All 3 for me, , and the fact that most of these cars are sub $10,000 20 year old cars. At some point that $40,000 loan may be a good decision. If the suspension was designed correctly to not fall on the frame when it fails I may have reconsidered the decision.
As is was, it’s a terrible design that it renders the car inoperable when it fails.
and for me that simply doesn’t bode well.
As is was, it’s a terrible design that it renders the car inoperable when it fails.
and for me that simply doesn’t bode well.
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I put my spare tire on the front and my neighbors CLS 550 spare on my collapsed rear to avoid rubbing the fender liner and fenders. Flat bedded back and I changed out the front strut with an OEM Bilstein. As started the car on jacks and let the bag/s fill up, both inflated. I was told the bags are filled by the compressor one corner at a time. The system starts with the front and works back. The system couldn't get past the front so it wouldn't inflate the rear.
