Is this bag leak normal?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 27
Likes: 6
E55 AMG
Is this bag leak normal?
Our 2005 E55 seems to be consistently dropping the front left corner. Compressor (new OEM) pumps like the lil' engine that could, raises the corner, pump stops, then corner drops, then pump runs, then corner rises, then the pump stops and the corner drops, etc., etc. It is a continuous cycle until the thermal protection of the pump kicks in. I have detected and felt a leak from the bottom portion of the bag, where it meets the strut itself. Not a hole, but rather leaking from the bottom of the rubber (bellows) where it moves up and down on the strut. These are Arnott bags. I have attached a 1:17 video, showing the process.
Is the bag supposed to be leaking from the bottom, or is it a completely sealed unit. Shouldn't the valve block regulate all of that? I can definitely feel and hear air hissing from the bottom of the bellows. The other three corners maintain their height for several days before dropping.
Thanks in advance for your help!
L
Is the bag supposed to be leaking from the bottom, or is it a completely sealed unit. Shouldn't the valve block regulate all of that? I can definitely feel and hear air hissing from the bottom of the bellows. The other three corners maintain their height for several days before dropping.
Thanks in advance for your help!
L
Last edited by Luftpost; Feb 13, 2026 at 12:32 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,966
Likes: 1,315
From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
Bad air strut. Install a replacement. Difficult but not impossible. STAR/Xentry helps in delating/inflating the air strut. You should recalibrate the air suspension after replacement. Performing a "Level Check" under the air suspension module actual values will confirm. Both front sensors and the rear sensor last calibrated values should be 0mm +/-3mm. If -17mm or -11mm you definitely have an issue and will need to recalibrate the suspension based upon the angles of the front-rear camber arm nubs and the rear axles.
IIRC, Arnott warranty is now only two years.
Note, when reinstalling the electrical connector on the top of the air strut, be very careful inserting the connector so as to not bend the pins. (previous post on this).
IIRC, Arnott warranty is now only two years.
Note, when reinstalling the electrical connector on the top of the air strut, be very careful inserting the connector so as to not bend the pins. (previous post on this).
Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 75
Likes: 22
2002 S430 and 2005 E55 AMG
Our 2005 E55 seems to be consistently dropping the front left corner. Compressor (new OEM) pumps like the lil' engine that could, raises the corner, pump stops, then corner drops, then pump runs, then corner rises, then the pump stops and the corner drops, etc., etc. It is a continuous cycle until the thermal protection of the pump kicks in. I have detected and felt a leak from the bottom portion of the bag, where it meets the strut itself. Not a hole, but rather leaking from the bottom of the rubber (bellows) where it moves up and down on the strut. These are Arnott bags. I have attached a 1:17 video, showing the process.
Is the bag supposed to be leaking from the bottom, or is it a completely sealed unit. Shouldn't the valve block regulate all of that? I can definitely feel and hear air hissing from the bottom of the bellows. The other three corners maintain their height for several days before dropping.
Thanks in advance for your help!
L
YouTube of Bag
Is the bag supposed to be leaking from the bottom, or is it a completely sealed unit. Shouldn't the valve block regulate all of that? I can definitely feel and hear air hissing from the bottom of the bellows. The other three corners maintain their height for several days before dropping.
Thanks in advance for your help!
L
YouTube of Bag
Yes, completely normal
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 27
Likes: 6
E55 AMG
Thank you for the responses (BBirdwell and 05-E55). I guess I should have said "is it normal for the air to leak from that location" as in, is there a valve located on the air bag. I deserved your shallow response.
Anyway, yes, I am totally DIY capable (already replaced the transmission and numerous other items). I will get one ordered up and install. My problem is that I don't have STAR. I do have an ICON T7 and will see what the capabilities are there.
I am new to the Mercedes world. Trying to get this car sorted out bit by bit. My forte is BMW, but they are very similar.
Thanks!
L
Anyway, yes, I am totally DIY capable (already replaced the transmission and numerous other items). I will get one ordered up and install. My problem is that I don't have STAR. I do have an ICON T7 and will see what the capabilities are there.
I am new to the Mercedes world. Trying to get this car sorted out bit by bit. My forte is BMW, but they are very similar.
Thanks!
L
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 397
Likes: 22
2005 E55 AMG
Wow, you replaced the transmission yourself. Way above my pay grade.
I helped a friend replace his front strut and we deflated it by hooking it up to a battery. There's a video showing how to do it.
I helped a friend replace his front strut and we deflated it by hooking it up to a battery. There's a video showing how to do it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,966
Likes: 1,315
From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
@Luftpost PM me your email address and I'll send you the technical familiarization documentation I have for the W211 E-class. It'll be 10 emails or so. A sample covering your SAS (Semi-Active Suspension) is attached.
Also, go to charm.li and download the WIS (Workshop Information System) for your car; W211.076 with engine 113.990.
It is what the technicians at a dealership use (along with STAR/Xentry) to work on your car. The diagnostics alone are invaluable and the schematics can be a lifesaver. Working through the schematics in STAR/Xentry can be an exercise in frustration but read the explanations on use to smooth the way. Be sure to read the tech bulletins in WIS, especially the one dealing with how to reset the BCM in event it goes into "safe" mode due to a "flat" battery. The section on diagnosing the charging system is outstanding.
If you have not yet replaced the stock fuel 40-amp pump relay with a 70-amp relay I suggest you do so much sooner rather than later. It will put you on the side of the road with no digital trouble codes. Take a look at:
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...formation.html
Also, go to charm.li and download the WIS (Workshop Information System) for your car; W211.076 with engine 113.990.
It is what the technicians at a dealership use (along with STAR/Xentry) to work on your car. The diagnostics alone are invaluable and the schematics can be a lifesaver. Working through the schematics in STAR/Xentry can be an exercise in frustration but read the explanations on use to smooth the way. Be sure to read the tech bulletins in WIS, especially the one dealing with how to reset the BCM in event it goes into "safe" mode due to a "flat" battery. The section on diagnosing the charging system is outstanding.
If you have not yet replaced the stock fuel 40-amp pump relay with a 70-amp relay I suggest you do so much sooner rather than later. It will put you on the side of the road with no digital trouble codes. Take a look at:
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...formation.html
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 27
Likes: 6
E55 AMG
Wow, that's a lot of info on in the WIS. I have it downloaded. Thank you!
My son is growing his Mercedes fleet, which is all at my house right now, all requiring some repairs. Earlier today I returned to him his GLK, which had the Intake Manifold Flap arm break which is very common problem on the M272. I ended up replacing the entire intake manifold as the old one had failures in the sand casting. Learning how to access this information has been a challenge for me coming from BMW. Mechanically they are very similar. The learning curve has been trying to find good technical information, so having the WIS will be great!
I will look into the relay, not sure if that has been replaced.
So far I have done the following to the E55:
Repaired coolant leak under supercharger.
Changed oil in SC while I had it off. It was black.
Replaced oil filter housing gasket which was dripping all over the SC belt. This repair improved the drivability of the car dramatically as the belt would slip under high loads.
Replaced transmission.
Transmission conductor plate
New air compressor for suspension
Transmission mount
Numerous other tidbits.
It still needs lots of other items (dynamic seats not working, HID lights not working properly, etc), which I will do over time. I am enjoying seeing the progress. Plus, the thing is crazy fast.
Sending you my email now. Thanks again!
L
My son is growing his Mercedes fleet, which is all at my house right now, all requiring some repairs. Earlier today I returned to him his GLK, which had the Intake Manifold Flap arm break which is very common problem on the M272. I ended up replacing the entire intake manifold as the old one had failures in the sand casting. Learning how to access this information has been a challenge for me coming from BMW. Mechanically they are very similar. The learning curve has been trying to find good technical information, so having the WIS will be great!
I will look into the relay, not sure if that has been replaced.
So far I have done the following to the E55:
Repaired coolant leak under supercharger.
Changed oil in SC while I had it off. It was black.
Replaced oil filter housing gasket which was dripping all over the SC belt. This repair improved the drivability of the car dramatically as the belt would slip under high loads.
Replaced transmission.
Transmission conductor plate
New air compressor for suspension
Transmission mount
Numerous other tidbits.
It still needs lots of other items (dynamic seats not working, HID lights not working properly, etc), which I will do over time. I am enjoying seeing the progress. Plus, the thing is crazy fast.
Sending you my email now. Thanks again!
L
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
