Hello

My self-levelling, non-AIRMATIC -08 E280 wagon developed a leak on the rear right side. And I am cheap dumbass, so I decided to do it myself *).

I know that the proper thing is to swap both bellows at the same time, but last time it was the left side that sprung a leak, I gave it to the MB workshop, and they swapped only the left bellows no problem. So I figure that if I only get one the same brand and article number, it should also work well. Right? Right?

I found a label on the left bellows with a bunch of numerals, no brand label, and googled its numbers. Heureka: it was (probably) an Arnott A-2726!

After much ado, I managed to swap it myself, and all was fine. Except now the left side of the rear raises about an inch too high all the time, and when I turn on the ignition the computer complains about an anomaly. The car drives no different, the right side is the proper height.

Now - any advice on how to remedy this?

Is it something that an MB mech could adjust in the computer with some MBSTAR6000++ computer tool?

Or can I fiddle with some leveling sensor?

Or should I swap the left bellows as well to an Arnott A-2726? I do in hindsight suspect that it is in fact not exactly that brand and type, seeing as it apparently does not play well with the left one. But if it is, then it is apparently no guarrantee that a new one will make any difference. "Sorry, autumn batch. Totally different resistors. You need to order both at the same time!"

Grateful for any wisdom,
/AM




* - The full story is that they wanted $1100 the last time, and this time around they quoted me $1500. I mailed a question why the discrepancy, upon which they apparently immediately realized their folly and dropped it to $1100 without comment.

Now - I am not one to give my money to conmen freely, and if they can just slap on and off $400 on a bill like that, then how am I to interpret things? A brazen attempt without knowing I had something to compare with? A 30% miscalculation by experts?

It makes me wonder if even is $1100 reasonable? So I looked things up and found that the bellows is $300, the remaining $800-1200 is apparently a half day work plus an obviously varying "if you buy a Merc you are probably rich and stupid" tax.

 

Being the frugal gent that you are, have you considered deflating your left tire?
(Sorry - couldn't resist that one.)

I'd call the shop that did the first replacement for you, and ask if there's a calibration that has to done after a bellows replacement. My guess is there is.

 

Ha ha ha!

Well, I had planned to avoid them indefinitely. Because I can see them twiddling their moustaches and going "He'll be here any day now!" expecting to bill me $1100 for a $500 job. But I guess I'll have to eat the sour grapes.